The INDEPENDENT, May 21, 2009
Veterans: Wu seeks you for award
Congressman David Wu an-
nounced recently that he will
recognize the contributions of
World War II and Vietnam War
veterans living in Oregon’s 1st
Congressional District by pre-
senting them with certificates of
Special Congressional Recog-
nition.
During World War II, some
members of the U.S. Navy
Armed Guard defended mer-
chant ships delivering much-
needed supplies to the war ef-
fort. Although these soldiers
served admirably and regularly
saw combat, they have been
largely unrecognized because
they were not stationed on a
military vessel.
Legislation was passed in
1999 to give members of Con-
gress the authority to recognize
the contribution of these veter-
ans. In addition, veterans who
received the Vietnam Service
Medal, the Armed Forces Ex-
peditionary Medal, or the Viet-
nam Campaign Medal for serv-
ice in the Vietnam War are eli-
gible for the certificate of Spe-
cial Congressional Recogni-
tion.
Because few WWII or Viet-
nam veterans are aware that
this congressional award ex-
ists, Congressman Wu is ac-
tively seeking veterans whose
service to our country deserves
to be recognized.
Congressman Wu will hold a
recognition ceremony this year
at a date, time, and venue in
the 1st Congressional District
to be announced, at which he
will present awards to identified
veterans. To participate, eligi-
ble veterans must register be-
fore July 31, 2009.
Veterans eligible for the cer-
tificate of Special Congression-
al Recognition include those
who reside in Oregon’s 1st
Congressional District and:
• Served in the U.S. Navy
assigned as a member of a gun
crew on board merchant ships
as part of the Naval Armed
Guard Service during WWII, or
• Served in the Vietnam War
and were eligible to receive ei-
ther the Vietnam Service Medal
or the Armed Forces Expedi-
tionary Medal.
To determine eligibility for
the certificate, veterans must
complete an application and
submit a copy of their service
discharge document (DD214).
This award can not be given
posthumously.
You may download the
WWII Application and the Viet-
nam War Application, or you
may obtain the applications
and more information from Ajah
Maloney Capps in Congress-
man Wu’s Oregon office by
calling 503-326-2901 or 800-
422-4003.
Completed applications and
documentation should be
mailed to: Office of Congress-
man David Wu, 620 SW Main
Street, Suite 606, Portland, OR
97205.
Murder charged in abuse case
Paul Meyer, 58, formerly of
Vernonia, is facing a murder by
abuse charge in the death, May
15, of his wife, Sandra Lynn
Meyer, 57. The Meyers lived in
Vernonia prior to moving to Ter-
rebonne after the Flood of
2007.
Mrs. Meyer was paralyzed
by an illness in January and
Meyer had been her caregiver.
A relative concerned about
Mrs. Meyer’s health asked
deputies to do a ‘welfare check’
and they did so, on May 8. The
affidavit filed in court said Mey-
er fed his wife no more than
once a day, failed to bathe her,
didn’t take her to the bathroom
or get her medical care. She
had reportedly been lying on
the same loveseat for two
months. Mrs. Meyer was trans-
ferred to a hospital on May 8.
Meyer has been in the De-
schutes County Jail since May
9, initially charged with assault
and criminal mistreatment.
Senior News
By Karen Miller, Senior Services
Community Action Team
Happy
Memorial
D a y
every-
one; take
time
to
thank a
vet from
now, or in
the past,
as they are a big reason we are
the country we are. Take note,
too, Community Action Team
has an on-board Veteran’s
Representative. Call my office
for any assistance you may
need.
Also call my office for infor-
mation on a drug company that
just started a program to pro-
vide 70 popular drugs free for
up to a year to anyone who has
lost their job since January 1.
CONGRATULATIONS again
to Pat Ray, our Vernonia
Princess representative for the
2009 Columbia County My Fair
Lady court. Read this column
for further information on senior
day at the Fair and the crown-
Don’t miss M-B
Fire Yard Sale
The Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Vol-
unteer Association will hold a
Huge Yard Sale on June 5 and
6, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This is a fundraiser for the
Association. The sale will be
held at 64276 Nehalem Hwy N,
Vernonia, seven miles north of
Vernonia near mile post 55.
Go early for the best selec-
tion.
Class of 1999 seeks classmates
The Vernonia High School
Class of 1999 is looking for all
their classmates in order to
hold a reunion.
If you graduated in 1999 or
Page 7
know someone who did, email
beccajohanson@hotmail.com
or go to Facebook, Vernonian
ninetynine.
State Farm ®
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
Bunny Girt, Agent
1229 N. Adair
PO Box 543
Cornelius, OR 97113-0543
Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667
bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com
ing of the new queen.
Watch for our upcoming
plant sale in June.
All items are one half off for
the next few weeks at the thrift
store.
Call my office about informa-
tion from the National Elder-
care Locator with help for you
or someone you know to sup-
port healthy mental health.
Good mental health is ageless.
A healthy mind is as important
as a healthy body. Good mental
health can help you enjoy life
more, handle difficult situa-
tions, stay better connected to
your family, your friends, and
your community.
Columbia Hearing has
changed their Vernonia out-
reach date. They will now be
here at the Vernonia Senior
Center on the SECOND Mon-
day of the month at 1:00 p.m.
Call to make an appointment.
Come join us for the 5-area
lunch to be held here at the
Center on TUESDAY, May 26.
Note: Date changed because
of Memorial Day. Entertain-
ment by the Blind Rootin’ Hogs.
Madelynne Sheehan, attor-
ney, will be here again on June
19, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, to
help with elder law matters. No
cost for initial consultation and
discounts for some services.
Call me at 503-429-9112 to
schedule an appointment.
SIGN UP EARLY for our up-
coming trips to;
• Hughes Water Garden in
Tualatin,
• Air Museum in McMinnville,
• Oregon Garden in Silver-
ton.
Prices will be set according
to where we’re going and how
many sign up.
Come in and enjoy the color-
ful bird houses on the tables in
June. These were all painted
by members…more fun activi-
ties coming!
Doctor: I see you are cough-
ing better this morning.
Patient: Why not? I’ve been
practicing all night.
INFORMATION NUMBERS
Senior Services...429-9112
Senior Center.......429-3912
Transportation......429-4304