Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 22, 1994)
Where our veterans live According to figures provided by the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, Oregon has an estimated veteran population of more than 380,000; one of the highest per capita rates of veterans in the United States. The following figures represent the estimated veteran populations of each county in Oregon as of July l, 1993: Purposes of the VOA p erpetuate the memory of deceased veterans and provide comfort to their survivors. \\ I\ ' ft ssist disabled and needy veterans and their dependents, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans. I I T each the heritage of our nation and its greatness and the role of veterans of yesterday, today and tomorrow. • R ecognize those who have served in our armed forces and those who are still serving. I nstill pride and patriotism through education of our past and faith in our future - through action today. 0 rganize, sponsor and participate in activities of a charitable, educational and patriotic nature. Tend to the needs of hospitalized veterans and their families through activities and programs that provide care, entertainment and assistance. s upport and assist veterans organizations, groups and individuals in their efforts to serve veterans and their families, the communities, the state and the nation. -~ ' I \ , 1 II !• ...... .. Questions and Answers about the VOA Q. What is the registered status of the Veterans of Oregon Association? Q. ls the VOA just another veterans' organization? Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Association, registering the VOA as a Non-Profit, Public Benefit Corporation were filed with the Oregon . Secretary of State's office on March 1, · 1994. An Application for Recognition of Exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code was filed by the VOA's accounting firm of Grove, Mueller, Hall&SwankonApril 12, 1994. A. o. There are more than 380,000 veteran in Oregon. There are approxi- mately 56,000 dues-paying member of veterans' orgaruzation , and many of these individuals belong to more than one organization. The VOA wants to include all veterans who have served, or are still serving, regardle s of rank, place of duty or branch of service. The common requirement is an honorable discharge, or still serving in a branch of the armed forces. Q. What if I belong to the National Guard or Reserves, can I join? A. Yes. The VOA believes in the Total Force Concept whereby Active duty, Guard and Reserve members all play a key role in our nation's defen and are therefore entitled to the same benefits and services. Q. Do I have to be a veteran to become a member of the VOA? A. o. There are additional categorie of member hip for famil y member , individuals, groups, organizations and busin who believe in the purposes of the VOA and want to join. See page 4. A. Q. Who is considered a veteran? A. Current members of the Armed Force of the United States (Active duty, ational Guard or Reserve); and tho e honorably discharged / relea ed mem- ber of the Armed Forces of the United States. Former members of the ational Guard or Reserve must have served a minimum of three (3) years unless dis- charged or released under honorable conditions on account of service-con- nected injury or illness prior to the completion of the minimum period of service. Furthermore, a "War Veteran" is defined by federal and state statutes based on period of service and a pre- scribed number of consecutive days of service. You may write to the VOA for more information. Q. Are there a lot of meetings to attend? A. No. In fact almost all as ociation business will be conducted through cor- respondence by mail, telephone, com- puter modem or our bi-monthly maga- zine, The PATRJ.OT. An annual meeting will be held each year, beginning in 1995, for the purpose of electing offic- ers, presenting association and commit- tee reports, preparing for statewide ac- Q. Is the VOA a legislative lobbying tivities and disbursement of PATRIOT organization? Fund proceeds. Special meetings will be held by volunteer committees of the VOA A. o. The VOA is a non-parti an to address pecific issues and projects as organization that provides information needed . In addition, repre entatives of to its members about benefits, services the association will travel throughout and entitlement . The Oregon Depart- the state on a continuing basis to con- ment of Veteran ' Affa irs (ODVA) and duct member ' erviceand benefit brief- the United Veterans Group of Oregon ings, and to provide programs of a his- (UVGO) are two of the most recognized to rical, patriotic or educational nature lobbying forces that act on behalf of all ,, that further the goals of the as ociation. veterans and their families. Q. My spouse, who was a veteran, has passed away. Am I still eligible to join as a Patriot (family) member? A. Definitely yes. Just as a veteran is always a veteran, "never forgotten, never forsaken," the same is true for family members. The VOA is dedicated to serve veterans and their families. Q. Do I need my DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Anned Forces of the United States to join? A. No. However, it is the goal of the VOA to maintain copies of official docu- ments for all of its members to assist in obtaining private,stateand federal bene- fits and ervices that each individual is entitled to. ., If you don't have a copy of your DD 214, the VOA will assist you in obtaining one. COUNTY Baker Benton Clackamas Clatsop Columbia Coos Crook Curry Deschutes Douglas Gilliam Grant Hamey Hood River Jackson Jefferson Josephine Klamath Lake Lane Lincoln Linn Malheur Marion Morrow Multnomah Polk Sherman Tillamook Umatilla Union Wallowa Wasco Was hington Wheeler Yamhill # of VETERAN~ 2,170 7,320 37,500 5,120 5,630 9,370 2,020 4,010 12,270 13,720 250 1,010 STATEWTDE % .57 1.94 9.95 1.36 1.49 2.48 900 1,930 22,480 1,600 10,930 8,410 1,050 35,580 6,510 12,360 2,790 29,180 960 69,330 6,360 320 3,630 7,300 2,930 920 3,160 39,210 240 8,370 .53 1.06 3.25 3.64 .08 .26 .70 .50 5.96 .42 2.90 2.23 .27 9.44 1.n 3.28 .70 7.74 .20 18.4 1.69 .08 .96 1.94 .70 .20 .80 10.4 .06 2.22 Members bring varied backgrounds, skills to VOA The Board of Ad visors for the Veterans of Oregon Association was created to guide the Association during its early months of organization and future planning. The Board consists of members from various branches and periods of service, from various regions throughout the state. Most members belong to other veteran organi- zations and will provide guidance and information for the VOA to work in cooperation towards the common goals of service to veterans and their families. In accordance with the Bylaws of the Association, the initial Board of Directors shall be elected from the Board of Advisors unles exceptions are approved by a majority vote of the Board. If you would like to be consedered for membership on the Board of the VOA, please send a biographical sketch to the Executive Director of the Association no later than September 1, 1994. The first election of officers is scheduled to occur in early October of this year. Board members as of May 10, 1994 are: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • WW II Commemorative Community VOA recognized by Department of Defense Committee The Department of Defense 50th Anniversary of WWII Commemorative Committee has designated the Veterans of Oregon Association as an official "Commemorative Community." As an official community the VOA will pres- ent historical, commemorative and edu- cational events throughout the state duringl994and 1995, recognizing those who served. Board of Advisors The Department of Defen e is assistingagratefulNation in commemo- rating the 50th anniversary of World War II between 1991 and 1995. The purJX>se of the commemoration is to thank and honor the veterans of World War II and their families (especially fami- lies who lost loved ones), and remember those who served on the home front and turned America into the Arsenal for Democracy. The committee also wants to encourage the study of the history of this era so we can use this knowledge to help ensure a safer and better tomorrow for future generations. If you would like more informa- tion about WWII Commemorative events and activities, or would like a di play or presentation mad e in your community, contact the VOA. Informa- tion about WWIJ commemorative pro- grams and history of World War II will be included in the PATRJOT magazine. . .. Richard Crow, State Commander, American Ex-POWs Judi Mayfield, State President, American Legion Auxiliary Charles Risely, State Commander, AMVETS Sunny Anderson, State President, AMVETS Auxiliary Dave Schroeder, State Commander, Disabled American Veterans Val Davie, President, Korean War Veterans Shannon Harlan, State Commander, Marine Corps League Charles Weatherill, State Chairman NCOA Don Barker, President, U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans Martin LeDoux, State Commander, VFW Louie Grimmer, State President, Paralyzed Veterans of America Orville Rummel, State Commander, Veterans of World War I Clint Heath, State President, Vietnam Veterans of America Major General (Ret) Willard Carey, AUS, Former Deputy Commanding General, 6th U.S. Army(RC); Asst. AG(Army) Oregon • Brig. Gen. (Ret) Staryl Austin, USAF, Deputy AG(Air) Oregon; Director, Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (1981-84) • Brig. Gen. Alex H. Burgin, acting Oregon Adjutant General and Commander, 41st Separate Infantry Brigade ORARNG • Brig. Gen. (Ret) Fred M. Ro enbaum, Fonner Asst. A~ (~) Oregon •Mr.Stan Adams, Congressional Medal of Honor Rec1p1ent (Korea) • COL (Ret) James B. lhayer, USA, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Anny • Chief Warrant Officer 3 (Ret) Rick Meyers, Editorial Director KA TU-TV2, Portland • COL (Ret) H. Gordon Waite, USA, Executive Asst. to TAG • Mr. Ernie Argo, USMC(Korea), President Linn County Veteran ' Council • Mrs.Cheryl La.Mar, Personnel Manager, Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs • Mr. Jon Mangis, Director, Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs; Sergeant Major, ORARNG • Capt. Robert D. Hagen, Public Affairs Officer, ORARNG Executive Director, Veterans of Oregon Association NOTE: Major General (RE1) Richard A Miller, former Adjutant General for the state of Oregon, was one of the first members of the Board during its organizational period. His untimely death in !anuary ~994 left a bi~ void of dedicated service to this state and our nation. In hi memory, his wife Marjorie has granted pennis ion for the VOA to name its Veteran, Business and Community service awards after her late husband. The first "RAM Six" awards will be presented at the Association's annual "Salute to Veterans and Patriots" reception and ceremony to be held in Portland on Saturday, November 11, 1995.
