The Siuslaw news., June 15, 2019, SATURDAY EDITION, Page 7, Image 7

SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019 | 7A
VETERANS from page 1A
The bravery and intelligence
that Strong exhibited gathering
information and delivering it
to surrogates on Washington’s
staff is at the center of the fic-
tionalized Netflix series based
on Ross’s book, entitled “Turn.”
The popular historical series
portrays a woman of incredible
courage and intelligence who,
while constrained by contem-
porary values, manages to gath-
er critical information under
the most trying of circumstanc-
es. Strong clearly played a pivot-
al role in the initial securing of
American independence.
The story of Anna Strong is
just one example of the under-
appreciated aspect of the contri-
butions made by women to the
military. That ongoing lack of
recognition is one of the main
reasons that Gov. Kate Brown
proclaimed an observance of
the first Oregon Women’s Vet-
eran’s Day on June 12.
“Throughout our nation’s
history, women have served
honorably and courageously
both on and off the battlefield,”
Brown stated. “Today, women
comprise more than 16 percent
of the country’s military force,
with more than 25,000 wom-
en veterans currently residing
in the state of Oregon and the
number of women veterans
continues to increase — as
does Oregon’s commitment to
promoting awareness of their
contributions to our nation’s
military history and improved
access to their earned benefits.”
Oregon’s Department of Vet-
eran’s Affairs (ODVA) released
a statement in conjunction with
Brown’s proclamation that reaf-
firmed the important roles wom-
en have played in the military.
“As a proud veteran of the
“At that time, fall of 1972, the world. Well, that didn’t work being transferred to Vietnam.”
U.S. Army, this historic proc- the Coast Guard was the only too well. My entire enlistment
Pennington and her husband
lamation is something that is service accepting women with was spent at Ft. McClellan, were later transferred to Korea,
obviously very personal for no prior military service. It had Ala., which was the headquar- where the couple were involved
me,” said ODVA Director Kelly stripped all its reserve units of ters of the WAC in those days,” with the repatriation of Amer-
Fitzpatrick. “I am proud that male admin staff and activated Sobottka said. “These were the icans that made news world-
here at ODVA, women veterans them for the Vietnam War. Now days before integration in the wide.
are represented at every level of they figured they’d fill behind South. The post was integrat-
“On his first night check ride
our agency, including the very with women who had office ed, but walk out the gates, and along the DMZ (demilitarized
top. We are proud of all wom- skills. … Since the Coast Guard it was not. I remember one time zone) I went along. As I looked
en veterans in the state of Ore- had no time to send women at the service club on post when out the window, I thought I was
gon. You are a vital part of the recruits to ‘A’ schools or even a black young man was teaching seeing 4th of July fireworks. We
Oregon veteran community, conduct (on the job training) all me to play the guitar. One of my were being shot at. That was one
and we will continue to work we had to do was demonstrate a friends came over and whis- of many interesting adventure-
to anticipate your needs
some yet to come.”
and help you thrive in
Another
special
“I am proud that here at ODVA, women veterans are represented at ev-
our state. Thank you ery level of our agency, including the very top. We are proud of all women memory that happened
for your service to our veterans in the state of Oregon. You are a vital part of the Oregon veteran there was the release of
country.”
the Pueblo crew in De-
community, and we will continue to work to anticipate your needs and
Florence has a large
cember 1968 to the hos-
help you thrive in our state. Thank you for your service to our country.”
veteran’s community,
pital where she worked.
— Kelly Fitzpatrick,
and many of these for-
“These men were so
Director, Oregon Department of Veteran’s Affairs happy to be free and
mer military members
are women. The desig-
back in our care,” Pen-
nation of a specific day to recog- higher level of typing, account- pered to me that I better call nington said. “Charlie later flew
nize the contributions made by ing, filing, writing, and the like,” a halt to that as several of the up into North Korea to pick up
women has resonated through- Armstrong said. “I had a feder- white men were getting upset the remains of one of the crew
out the Florence veteran’s com- al government job, two years of and there might be problems. that didn’t survive the captivity.”
munity.
college and a few years of federal As a Wisconsinite from a small
Cynthia J. Wright is a leader
On Wednesday, a number contracting experience under town, this was a sad experience.” in the local veteran’s commu-
of these female veterans met at my belt, and I was enlisted as
The stories shared by the la- nity and one of the more vocal
1285 Restobar in Historic Old a Petty Officer First Class. My dies in the CWVG range from of the members of the CWVG.
Town Florence to celebrate the spouse was astounded as he had their participation in important Her service included a stint in
proclamation and the service of put in 4 years hard work to mus- historical events to more per- an unusual capacity.
fellow women vets.
ter out as an E-5! Three years sonal memories.
“I wanted to be a linguist and
Members of the Coast- later I was offered a Direct Com-
Terri Pennington was not joined hoping to go into that
al Women’s Veteran’s Group mission. Thirty-one years later I only involved in one of the most field as a Cryptologic Tech-
(CWVG) shared their thoughts retired as an O-6 Captain.”
significant events in military nician, interpretive branch.
and experiences from the time
Members of CWVG have history, but she also found her But at the time I joined, that
they spent serving in the mil- served in Korea, Vietnam and husband-to-be during her ser- field was closed to women. So,
itary and the impact that ser- the wars in the Middle East. vice.
I went into Aviation and be-
vice had on their lives. There Nancy Sobottka is one of the
“My active duty started in came a Parachute Rigger, which
are women from all branches group’s senior members and her April 1967 as a Second Lt. at Ft. was fun. I got to do a free-fall
of the military represented in time of service coincided with a Sam Houston, Texas. I learned jump from an airplane with a
the CWVG and, while they all struggle of a different kind.
how to help set up a field hospi- chute I packed myself as part
wanted to serve, some found
“I was in the Women’s Army tal, shoot a gun, how to march, of my training. I also got to go
their avenues of service limited. Corps (WAC) from 1958-1960. salute and the Army way of do- up with the Navy Parachuting
Sharon Armstrong is one of This was a vastly different time ing things. An unexpected ben- Team once and watch them go
the leaders of CWVG and she from today’s women in the ser- efit was meeting my husband out of the back of an airplane
spent the majority of her career vice. I enlisted right out of high Charlie, who was a ‘dust off ’ he- in formation, taking photos the
as an officer in the U.S. Coast school as I felt very patriotic as licopter pilot getting some med- whole time from my strapped in
Guard.
well as wanting to travel and see ical training there, too, before position. I made lot of great life-
time friends in the service and
have always been proud that I
served, although my service was
all during peace time.”
Many of the women were
positive about their time serv-
ing, but there were a few former
servicewomen that were un-
comfortable or simply unwill-
ing to share their experience
with the public, as they include
violence directed against them
or who were suffering from
post-traumatic stress disorder.
These brave former soldiers did
not want to publicly revisit the
pain they still felt.
Ultimately, however, all of
the women were proud to have
served and look forward to the
camaraderie of the CWVG.
The attendees said they were
glad of the recognition the
Brown’s proclamation brings
and feel it is well deserved and
perhaps overdue.
“I am really pleased that Or-
egon has joined three other
states in officially designating
June 12 as Women’s Veterans
Day,” Wright said. “I believe the
contributions of women in the
military have not received the
appreciation and recognition
they deserve. So, it’s nice that a
day has been designated for that
purpose.”
According to the Oregon De-
partment of Veterans Affairs,
June 12 was chosen because it
is the anniversary of the Wom-
en’s Armed Services Integration
Act, which recognizes contri-
butions made by women in the
military and enables them to
serve as regular members of the
U.S. Armed Forces and Reserve.
With the proclamation from
Brown, Oregon becomes the
fourth state in the union to of-
ficially recognize the sacrifice
and service of military women.
Florence, Oregon
Us TOO Florence
Prostate Cancer Education/Support on the Oregon Coast
www.ustoofl orence.org
BOB HORNEY, CHAPTER LEADER/FACILITATOR
Every 3 years
BLOOD PRESSURE: High blood
pressure (Hypertension) has no
symptoms, but can cause perma-
nent damage to body organs.

Every 2 years

Every year
Every year
50 +
PHYSICAL EXAM: Review overall
health status, perform a thorough
physical exam and discuss health
related topics.
40-49
WHEN?
20-39
CHECKUPS AND SCREENINGS

Us TOO Florence has two monthly meetings for your convenience:
• Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday)
5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Restaurant
Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends.
• Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday)
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Restaurant
Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends.
Contact Bob for more information:
(H) 541-997-6626 (C) 541-999-4239
maribob@oregonfast.net
• Check out our Personal Prostate Cancer Journeys,
slideshows and other information on our website.
• A prostate cancer diagnosis is not needed to
attend.
• Spouses/family members are encouraged to attend.
• Bring questions/records -
get answers
• Someone to talk to - who understands.
www.ustoofl orence.org
MEN...
GET IT CHECKED!
(Refer to the checklist on this side.)
The Men’s Health Network provides this mainte-
nance schedule for men as a reminder of your
need to take responsibility for safeguarding your
health. Regular checkups and age-appropriate
screenings CAN improve your health and reduce
premature death and disability. You should consult
your health care provider about the benefits of ear-
lier screenings, especially if you are a member of a
high risk group or have a family history of disease.
TB SKIN TEST: Should be done
on occasion of exposure or sug-
gestive symptoms at direction of
Every 5 years
physician. Some occupations may
require more frequent testing for
public health indications.
BLOOD TESTS & URINALYSIS:
Screens for various illnesses and
diseases (such as cholesterol,
diabetes, kidney or thyroid dys-
function) before symptoms occur.
EKG: Electrocardiogram screens
for heart abnormalities.
Every 3 years
RECTAL EXAM: Screens for
hemorrhoids, lower rectal prob-
lems, colon and prostate cancer.

Every 2 years

Every year
Baseline
Every 4 years
Every 3 years
TETANUS BOOSTER: Prevents
lockjaw.

Every 10 years
Every year
PSA BLOOD TEST: Prostate
Specific Antigen is produced by
the prostate. Levels rise when
Every year
there is an abnormality such as
an infection, enlargement or can-
cer. Testing should be done in col-
laboration with your physician.
Age 30

*
HEMOCCULT: Screens the stool for
microscopic amounts of blood that Every year
can be the first indication of
polyps or colon cancer.

COLORECTAL HEALTH: A flexible
scope examines the rectum, sig-
moid and descending colon for
cancer at its earliest and treatable Every 3-4 years
stages. It also detects polyps, which
are benign growths that can pro-
gress to cancer if not found early.

CHEST X-RAY: Should be consid-
ered in smokers over the age of
Discuss with
45. The usefulness of this test on a a physician
yearly basis is debatable due to
poor cure rates of lung cancer.
SELF-EXAMS: Testicle: To find lumps
in their earliest stages. Skin: To look
for signs of changing moles, freck-
Monthly
les, or early skin cancer. Oral: To by self
look for signs of cancerous lesions
in the mouth. Breast: To find abnor-
mal lumps in their earliest stages.

BONE HEALTH: Bone mineral den-
Discuss with
sity test. Testing is best done under a physician
the supervision of your physician.
Age 60
TESTOSTERONE SCREENING:
Low testosterone symptoms
include low sex drive, erectile dys- Discuss with
a physician
function, fatigue and depression.
Initial screening for symptoms with
a questionnaire followed by a
simple blood test.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
(STDs): Sexually active adults who Under
consider themselves at risk for STDs physician
supervision
should be screened for syphilis,
chlamydia and other STDs.
*African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer may wish to begin prostate screening at age 40, or earlier.
50 +
WHEN?
40-49
CHECKUPS AND SCREENINGS
MEN’S HEALTH CHECKLIST
AGES
FROM THE CDC:
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AGES
20-39
HEALTH FACTS

Discuss