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❘
TUESDAY EDITION
❘ NOVEMBER 10, 2015
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
RYAN CRONK , EDITOR
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
OREGON’S VETERANS CONTINUE TO SERVE
eterans’ Day is one
day to honor the
service and sacrifice
of all who have
raised their right hand, worn
the uniform, defended our
freedom and stood guard over
our peace.
Across our 70 year history,
the Oregon Department of
Veterans’ Affairs has wit-
nessed generations of service
members returning home and
then using their hard-earned
leadership skills and experi-
ence to significantly con-
tribute to our communities.
What many citizens may not
know is that one out of every
12 Oregonians is a veteran.
While our veterans gain great
strength from their service, it
is not surprising that many
can face challenges as they
reintegrate home. For those
impacted by their service, we
must understand their tena-
cious spirit and resiliency.
They deserve nothing less
than the best in care, resources
and support.
V
There is never a
While our focus
doubt, though, that
is on our veterans,
GUEST VIEWPOINT
our learned
we also must
B Y C AMERON S MITH
D
IRECTOR
,
O
REGON
D
EPARTMENT
OF
V
ETERANS
’
A
FFAIRS
resilience, idealistic
remember the serv-
pride and unwaver-
ice and sacrifice of
with
everyday
examples
of
ing dedication to our families,
our military and veteran fami-
inspiring continued service.
community and each other is
lies. Judi Van Cleave of
stronger because we served in Bill Griffith is a former Navy Portland was elected as the
Corpsman who served in
uniform.
National President of Gold
Take the recent examples of Vietnam and is continuing to
Star Wives of America. Her
young returning veterans from serve his fellow veterans as an late husband was a disabled
award-winning volunteer
Oregon like Alek Skarlatos
Korean War veteran. Judi’s
Long
Term
Care
Ombudsman.
and Chris Mintz. Alek cap-
significant service for two
He was recently recognized
tured international headlines
decades with Gold Star Wives
for thwarting a terrorist attack for his advocacy for our aging of America continues to honor
veterans at the Oregon
while travelling in France
our fallen and their families.
Veterans’ Home in The Dalles
after his deployment in
Across our team at the
and other skilled nursing facil- Oregon Department of
Afghanistan with the Oregon
ities, receiving the Governor’s Veterans’ Affairs, many of us
Army National Guard.
Volunteer Award in October.
Similarly, Chris Mintz, an
are veterans and family mem-
A recent appointment to
Army veteran, also chose to
bers, and we continue to be
ODVA’s Advisory Committee, inspired by our current service
run toward chaos on the
Kim Douthit, is a Coast Guard members, veterans and their
Umpqua Community College
campus to help protect fellow veteran and continues to serve families. We are honored and
students. He was shot multiple student veterans in her role as privileged to serve them —
times and thankfully continues a veterans’ coordinator at
not just on Veterans’ Day, but
to recover for his young fami- Portland Community College. throughout the year. It is their
She is a leader for both our
ly and community.
individual stories that make
These stories have made the fastest growing demographic, up the incredible fabric of our
women veterans, and for all
national news, but our local
community.
veterans
across
Oregon.
veterans’ community is filled
No matter the branch of
service, no matter the era, no
matter who we are or where
we live, we stand proudly
together.
We are Oregon veterans.
__________
Cameron Smith served three
tours in Iraq as a U.S. Marine
captain and is the director of
the Oregon Department of
Veterans’ Affairs.
L ETTERS P OLICY
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USPS# 497-660 Copyright 2015 © Siuslaw News
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Pres. Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD Comments: 202-456-6213
www.whitehouse.gov
Gov. Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, OR 97301-4047
Governor’s Citizens’ Rep.
Message Line 503-378-4582
www.oregon.gov/gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5244
541-431-0229
www.wyden.senate.gov
FAX: 503-986-1080
Email:
Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753/FAX: 202-228-3997
541-465-6750
State Rep. Caddy McKeown
(Dist. 9)
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1409
Email:
rep.caddymckeown@state.or.us
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (4th Dist.)
2134 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6416/ 800-944-9603
541-269-2609/ 541-465-6732
www.defazio.house.gov
State Sen. Arnie Roblan (Dist. 5)
900 Court St. NE - S-417
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1705
West Lane County Commissioner
Jay Bozievich
125 E. Eighth St.
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4203
FAX: 541-682-4616
Email:
Jay.Bozievich@co.lane.or.us