DOUGHNUTS AND OREGON VETERANS NEWS MAGAZINE DUMBBELLS A MARINE ENTREPRENEUR IS PROVING THEY GO TOGETHER BETTER THAN YOU THINK FAREWELL TO A

BROTHER ISSUE FIRST LOOK AT OREGON’S VN WOMEN VETERAN MEMORIAL

Code Warriors How A new generation of oregon veterans is helping returning service members launch careers in the fast-growing (and lucrative) field of computer programming WORLD PREMIERE EVENT

STORIES FROM OREGON’S LGBTQ SERVICE MEMBERS Breaking theS lence

“A must-see documentary for any American. free Powerful, funny and insightful, it shines the light on the courage and determination of some admission of our military’s hidden warriors.” CAMERON SMITH DIRECTOR, OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS DOORS Friday, November 3 OPEN 6 P.M. 7 p.m. Film & Discussion @Mission Theater 1624 N.W. Glisan Street in Portland

Trailer: youtu.be/JeBpkFepTnU | Facebook: facebook.com/OregonLGBTQVets STORIES FROM OREGON’S LGBTQ SERVICE MEMBERS DIRECTOR CAMERON SMITH

S lence Calling Cadence

his year marks the 100th anniversary of the United and community partners. Th ere is a particular focus to mobilize States’ entry into World War I. WWI service partnerships to better support student veterans on campus, members that survived the battlefi elds in Europe ensure all veterans have access to mental health resources, and did not come home to a robust veterans’ health and prevent veterans from becoming homeless. Tbenefi t system. Th ey banded together in service organizations Th is past year, we were also proud to support Polk County’s and fought to advocate for the system of support we have today. eff ort to stand up their County Veteran Service Offi ce (CVSO). Th e common cadence across the eras from our founding Th e CVSOs are strong partners for ODVA and are the boots on in 1945 to today is our timeless mission to serve and honor the ground to better connect veterans to their earned benefi ts Oregon veterans. Th e strength of our department has always across urban and rural Oregon. been based on our team, who are all proud advocates for As we build a system to better serve all veterans, we also have veterans and their families. targeted outreach to underserved At the same time, we veteran populations. This includes know that the success of our Vietnam veterans, the largest eff orts depends on all of you, 2017-19 biennial segment of our veterans’ Oregon’s veterans and our community, and a group that broad community partners. resources for Oregon was not welcomed home in their Together, we continue to make own time and has unique needs a diff erence. veterans is a historic as they age. Th e veteran community We have also been particularly and our partners have tirelessly $26.1 million. proud to better connect to advocated for years for Oregon’s LGBTQ and women additional resources to support veterans. Women veterans are veterans and their families. Citizens across the state added the fastest-rising demographic in our veterans’ community and their voice to the eff ort in November 2016 when they approved we must continue to do better to help them access benefi ts and by a resounding 84 percent to amend the state’s Constitution resources. We proudly stand as an advocate for all veterans and to dedicate 1.5 percent of net lottery revenues to better serve service members who served with honor. Friday, November 3 Oregon’s veterans. Ultimately, the diversity of our veterans’ community does Th rough the bipartisan leadership of the governor and not divide us, but unites us. Th ere is a shared bond across all Legislature this year, Oregon has approved a historic investment veterans no matter where we live or when we served. 7 p.m. Film & Discussion in veteran services — funds that will go to ensure the health, As four generations of veterans across fi ve major wars, we education and economic opportunity of our veterans and their stand on the shoulders of all those who have come before us. families. And together as advocates, we will continue to charge the hill Th e resulting 2017-19 biennial resources for Oregon for our veterans and their families. veterans is a historic $26.1 million of combined General Fund Thank you for your continued dedication, advocacy and Lottery Fund. Th is is more than double the previous and support! biennial budget for veteran services of $10.4 million General Fund. Th is budget invests signifi cantly in veteran services at the local and state level as well as in eff orts to support nonprofi t Published November 2017 OREGON VETERANS NEWS MAGAZINE

Oregon Veterans News Magazine VNis a free publication by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Each issue contains current information 28 impacting veterans in Oregon including federal VA topics and state, regional and local happenings. When credit is given to the source, Oregon Veterans News Magazine articles may be reprinted.

ODVA reaches more than 25,000 veterans and their families through this print and electronic publication. We welcome contributions about veteran concerns, issues and programs 15 that are important, informative and/ or a great tidbit of news that other veterans would enjoy reading about.

To inquire or submit a piece for consideration, please use the contact information below. Submissions for Features the next issue must be received by April 15, 2018. FEATURE ARTICLES GUEST CONTRIBUTIONS

10 K-Falls Marine Brian Eayrs’ startup, 12 In Iraq, Joshua Groesz fought Feed Me Fight Me, is unabashedly insurgents and hunted for roadside veteran — and unabashedly bombs. Back in the U.S., he did enamored with tasty food. homework and worked in retail. Veterans News Magazine It was no use; he was hooked on 700 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR, 97301 16 Tech is one of the world's best job chaos. 503-373-2389 | www.oregon.gov/odva sectors in the world, but the fastest [email protected] way into the industry — code 28 Hunting is not about blood lust; schools — don’t accept the GI Bill. it’s about experience, comradeship Executive Editor: Nicole Hoeft A new generation of veterans is out and “helping veterans cope,” Content Editor: Tyler Francke to change that. according to Army veteran Branden Traeger, of The Fallen 20 Oregon’s LGBTQ veterans are Outdoors. “Breaking the Silence” in new documentary featuring their ON THE COVER stories and their service. The volunteer staff of the Oregon-based Operation Code in Washington, D.C. From left, Conrad Hollomon, Michael Bell, Ian Lenny and David Molina. 8 12

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IN THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS CORNER R&R

6 Bend heroes take a tour of WWII 24 Rural Veteran Transportation 28 Featured books about veterans memorial and state Capitol Program logs over 500,000 miles in and military service by local and first two years in Oregon national writers 7 A first look at Oregon’s first-ever memorial dedicated to women veterans 26 Federal and state benefit updates 28 Volunteer, Go, Connect, Relax: A for the second half of 2017 brief selection of opportunities and 8 Don Malarkey, member of 101st activities for Oregon veterans and Airborne’s “Band of Brothers,” dies at 96 27 Oregon-based Lines for Life their families awarded contract for nationwide 15 Korean War veteran returned to family expansion in Portland after 66 years BOOTS ON THE GROUND

22 Ageless Aviation returns to Oregon 30 Success stories from the front lines Veterans’ Home to “give vets a lift” of Oregon’s veteran service officers in the community Photos by Tyler Francke, Veterans News Magazine

Guests of Honor

State welcomes bend heroes to tour of wwii memorial, capitol

In July, a group of World War II veterans from Bend were able to visit the Oregon WWII memorial in Salem thanks to the work of the Bend Heroes Foundation and Eastern Oregon Honor Flight. Gov. Kate Brown joined other elected officials, including Sen. Brian Boquist and Rep. Caddy McKeown, in welcoming the group to the Oregon State Capitol. Top: The veterans, along with volunteers from the Bend Heroes Foundation, pose for a photo with elected officials in the governor's ceremonial office. Above, left: Gov. Brown and Rep. McKeown talk with WWII Navy veteran Dick Watson. Above, right: U.S. Air Force veteran Diane Harris, lead coordinator for the trip, and World War II Army Air Corps veteran Carl Juhl survey the wall of names at the WWII memorial in Salem.

6 By Amber Fossen, City of Springfield in the community

Hear Them Roar

pringfield is the proud home of the state’s first memorial dedicated to women veterans — one of only a handful of memorials in the entire Scountry that honor the nation’s female service members. The memorial — the design of which has been a closely held secret throughout its year and a half of development and construction — will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10. The Springfield Women Veterans Memorial is located in the heart of the new Springfield Veterans Memorial Plaza, which is at the intersection of Mohawk Boulevard and I Street. The project was a collaboration between the city of Springfield and the Springfield Women Veterans Committee, with funding from state lodging tax funds and a grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The centerpiece of the memorial — a bronze sculpture of a pride of lionesses — was done by artists Rip Caswell and Alison Brown, both of Campus Sculpture. The artists conceived the design after conducting Above: The bronze sculpture interviews with many Oregon women that serves as the centerpiece of veterans in an effort to capture the spirit of the state's first women veterans women in the military. memorial depicts a trio of All veterans and the general public are lionesses. Artists Rip Caswell and invited to the dedication ceremony, which will Alison Brown conceived of the include light refreshments and music. Please idea after interviewing numerous follow event parking signs or consider using women veterans in an effort to the Lane Transit District (LTD) bus service, capture the spirit of women in the military. Route 18. The Springfield Veterans Memorial Plaza is Right: The Springfield Women ADA-accessible and serves as a space to honor Veterans Committee was those who have served our country. The plaza instrumental in helping make the also features a memorial to Vietnam veterans new memorial a reality. and will be the site of future memorials.

7 Oregon Loses a ‘Brother’ WwII hero Don malarkey, of 101st airborne's 'easy company,' dies at 96 alem resident Donald George Malarkey, the oldest surviving member of the 101st Airborne, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment’s “Easy Company,” Swhich was made famous by the book and HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, died Sept. 30 of age-related causes. He was 96. According to Army records, he spent more days in combat and served more consecutive time on the front lines than any other member of Easy Company. Malarkey, a lifelong Oregonian, was born July 31, 1921, in Astoria, to Leo and Helen Malarkey. He attended Star of the Sea school where he was an outstanding athlete, and graduated from Astoria High School. In 1942, while a freshman at the University of Oregon, Malarkey was drafted into the Army where he volunteered to become a paratrooper. Within months, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division — the “Screamin' Eagles. During the early morning hours on D-Day, June 6, 1944, Malarkey parachuted behind enemy lines in support of the Allied Invasion. Later that day, in a pitched battle, he helped knock out four German 105 mm artillery battery, an action now called the Brécourt Manor Assault, which is still studied at West Point as a classic example of small-unit tactics and leadership in overcoming a larger enemy force. He fought for 23 days in Normandy, nearly 80 in the Netherlands, 39 in the Battle of Bastogne in Belgium, and nearly 30 more in and around Haguenau, France, and the Ruhr Pocket in Germany. Along with the rest of Easy Company, he fought off Nazi advances while surrounded at Bastogne during the Don Malarkey, in his Army uniform during World War II at Zell am See, Austria. Malarkey Battle of Bulge in December 1944. Malarkey was approximately 24 in this ca. 1945 photo. was awarded, among other medals, the Bronze Star for heroism, the Purple Heart, and in 2009 in 2006. They were married in Portland in Estate Agency. the Legion of Honor Medal, the highest honor 1948. Don and Irene had four children. A son In 1987, Malarkey was introduced to awarded by the French government. Michael, and daughters Martha, Sharon, and historian and author Stephen Ambrose. Following the war, Malarkey returned to the University of Oregon, where he received a Marianne. Malarkey and other members of Easy Company bachelor's degree in business in 1948 and served After their marriage, Don and Irene would later travel with Ambrose to various as president of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Later in Malarkey returned to Astoria, where he worked sites where they had fought in Europe. Their life, he was inducted in the Sigma Nu National for Lovell Chevrolet. He was elected Clatsop recollections became the basis of Ambrose’s Hall of Fame and named as one of 125 notable County Commissioner and served two terms. 1992 book Band of Brothers, which in turn, was University of Oregon graduates in 2002. The family moved to Portland where Malarkey adapted into the award-winning miniseries of While a student at Oregon, he met Irene was a real estate broker. Don and Irene moved the same name, produced by Steven Spielberg Moor, of Portland, who became the love of to Salem in 1977, where he concluded his and Tom Hanks. his life and his wife of 58 years until her death career working for the State of Oregon Real Malarkey was one of the central characters

8 By Tyler Francke, Veterans News Magazine in the community

Above: An 87-year-old Don Malarkey poses in front of an M1151 gun truck with members of the 4th Sustainment Brigade at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, during a 2008 visit to the Middle East.

Left: Don Malarkey (back row, third from the left) poses with other members of Easy Company during their service in World War II.

Easy Company members had received. “But, then I remember that I owe it to the guys who did not return as I tell of their courage, trauma and accomplishments,” he said. “… [I]t’s still a little overwhelming, but I’m grateful for the letters from people who want to say thank you, ask questions and have pictures autographed. in the series, portrayed by Scott Grimes, and to Ambrose of the saga of the Niland brothers "It’s nice to know you haven’t been forgotten he also appeared as himself in some of the of Tonawanda, N.Y., two of whom had died in and to think, somehow, you may have left a introductory segments that were incorporated the Invasion of Normandy and another who mark in the world.” into the show. was presumed dead. One of the brothers, Fritz Malarkey is survived by his daughters, After the success of the series, Malarkey and Niland, was close friends with Malarkey’s best Marianne McNally (Dan), Sharon Hill (John), his Band of Brothers counterparts practically friend and fellow Easy Company member, Sgt. and Martha Serean; and sister, Molly Rumpakis became household names, and he spoke Warren “Skip” Muck, and it was through Skip (Jim). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren; extensively to high school and college students that Malarkey had heard the story. This episode and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded and other groups on his Easy Company would later serve as the real-life inspiration in death by his wife, Irene; son, Michael; experiences. He also traveled with the USO behind the Academy Award-winning film son-in-law, Tim Serean; and brothers, John to Army posts and hospitals in the United Saving Private Ryan. Malarkey and Robert Malarkey. States and Europe, where he met with soldiers In an interview eight years ago, Malarkey Malarkey was laid to rest in October wounded in the Iraq War. admitted to being humbled and “even a bit in a private service at Willamette National Lesser-known was Malarkey’s recounting embarrassed” by the attention he and his fellow Cemetery in Portland.

9 Doughnuts and Dumbbells

lamath Falls native Brian Eayrs has He soon decided to change his career path and always been the sort of person who pursued a degree in physical therapy from the does what he wants, whether that Concorde Career College. is joining the Marines on a whim orK starting his own food-themed athletic wear Starting small Former marine and company, Feed Me Fight Me. entrepreneur Brian Eayrs said, “The Marines gave me the tools He had always been interested in screen- to no matter what, get the job done, even if you printing, and after graduating in 2015, he Eayrs has struck a don’t have what you might necessarily need.” bought a machine from Craigslist to print Eayrs attended Henley High School and T-shirts. He turned his dining room into his chord, encouraging was studying car mechanics in San Diego when workshop, curing the dye in the oven, which active vets to be who a friend encouraged him to enlist. 17 days later, created a smell he said was “miserable.” he was at boot camp. After initial encouragement from peers, he they are — and eat Over his five years in the Marine Corps, decided to expand his line, trying three rounds Eayrs was deployed three times in Okinawa, of athletic wear designs before nailing the right what they love Japan, an experience he said developed his manufacturer. leadership skills. Still, spending more time in As his business was expanding, he brought Japan than in the United States put his life on on partner John Watkins, a fellow Marines hold. veteran from New York who had worked for a Above: Feed Me Fight Me is a “You’re off, and your friends and family, supplement business. food-inspired active wear and they don’t wait for you back home,” he said. “Even as clichéd as this may sound, on coffee company founded by Marine veteran Brian Eayrs. The “Their lives keep going, and they’re all in a the battlefield to now, I believe it’s seamless,” company gives back 10 percent different place, and you feel like you’re in the Watkins said. “You don’t leave anyone behind, of every purchase to help exact same place when you come back to visit.” so our mission to help those in need is probably combat veteran homelessness, In 2010, he started school again, studying the most imperative thing that drives me to do addiction and PTSD. business at the Oregon Institute of Technology. Feed Me Fight Me.”

10 By Hannah Steinkopf-Frank, Herald & News Reprinted with permission. feature veteran business

A confectionary edge Brian Eayrs, Feed Me Fight Me Although, it was a dream of doughnuts that made Feed Me Fight Me unique in the We don't tell our customers what competitive and saturated athletic apparel industry. In summer 2016, the company was Feed Me Fight Me means to us. We let receiving a few hundred orders a month, but then they came up with the idea of putting them decide what it means to them. doughnut sprinkles on a pair of shorts. The pre-sale for the item sold out in 20 minutes. They ordered more. Those also sold coffee, and most people in the military images of mouth-watering, but rarely healthy out. In a week, they had sold 600 items without are very accustomed to doing just that. meals. This is where the “Feed Me” part comes one pair of shorts actually touching their hands. So we just took it and kind of ran with it.” in. Through focusing on both clothes and food, “That’s when we realized we’re a food-based Eayrs said, they are distancing themselves from company,” Eayrs said. “Basically, I feel they go Supporting fellow vets the cardio bunny stereotype. hand in hand. That stereotype has gone away “Being fit and healthy is more important,” he that people who work out don’t eat as much or Eayrs highlighted that veterans manage the said. “We’re working with women, and helping are really picky about what they eat. Now these company and that 10 percent of profits are given especially these younger girls these days, who days, people eat everything they can, in order to to organizations that address issues affecting have grown up on the magazines that tell them fuel their workout.” those coming back from conflict zones. Feed Me Fight Me has grown to sells shorts, they have to weigh 110 pounds. We would “John (Watkins) and I have both lost friends rather have them be strong than look like what leggings, T-shirts, hats and other apparel with to the battle of PTSD, alcoholism, drug addiction pizza, tacos, cupcakes and ice cream patterns. and things like that,” Eayrs said. “So it was a no- magazines say is fit.” It’s not all unhealthy: They also have pineapple brainer for us. There was no way that we were While Feed Me Fight Me largely sells online, and watermelon designs. In addition, Eayrs going to do this and not give back to them.” the company also has inventory in the recently and Watkins show their patriotism through a Marine veteran Kirstie Ennis, who knew opened Hanger Boutique in downtown Klamath flag-inspired collection and their support of Eayrs from her first unit, survived a helicopter Falls, which features local artisans as well as veterans through a camo line. crash in Afghanistan in 2012 that resulted in trendy clothes. Although Eayrs now lives in As the founder of a startup, Eayrs said, more than 40 surgeries. Ennis, who had her left Washington state, he said that it’s important to his training as a veteran has prepared him for leg amputated above the knee, is traveling the support his hometown. having to know how to do anything. He and world, climbing the tallest mountain on each Chelsea Brosterhous, the owner of the Watkins turn to YouTube to learn everything continent as well as training for the 2018 U.S. Hanger Boutique and Eayrs’ longtime friend, from Adobe InDesign to making a website to Paralympic snowboard team. said, “I respect that he wants other businesses taking professional photos. Feed Me Fight me supports Ennis’s here to succeed, not just his own. ... He has been foundation, Wounded Warrior Outdoor, and she such a mentor in this whole process.” Building an audience said the company’s mission “aligned directly with my personal goals.” Eayrs said that Feed Me Fight Me is a “While I have my perks of being a Feed Me Looking forward middle ground between cheaper and more Fight Me athlete, especially like quality clothes The company has now done over 15,000 expensive athletic wear companies. He said and gear, I have gained a lot more,” she said. sales, with Watkins including a handwritten that larger businesses are able to charge more “Brian and I started out in a brotherhood (the 3rd thank you note on each order. because of brand name, but he likes providing Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Heavy Helicopter “I want everyone to understand that we’re an affordable, but quality product: Most items Squadron 465), and now, I have an entirely new not just a company that is after your wallet,” he in the online store are less than $50. community created with some of the toughest said. “We want it to be personable.” Although he has found a niche in the rise and strongest athletes I’ve ever encountered.” When he talks about the future of Feed Me of CrossFit and other bodybuilding athletics, Eayrs attributed the company’s success to Fight Me, Eayrs said that growing the company he said that the garments are so versatile, you the focus on veterans and giving back as well as will not only allow him to expand product lines, providing an exceptional product. He joked that could wear them lounging around on the but also provide more support to veterans. couch. he has learned more about women in the last two “We don’t tell our customers what Feed Me years than in his whole life, as their client base is “We’re an unknown company,” he said. Fight Me means to us,” he said. “We let them largely female. “People know Nike. People know Lululemon. decide what it means to them.” People don’t know us. ... We get emails all the The company also sells artisan coffee, with A social media push time that people are amazed by how nice it is. humorous and military-inspired names like That’s only one part of it, though. ... Us being Zero Dark Thirty, and health supplements Currently, Feed Me Fight Me has military veterans pushing people to support made by entrepreneurs who are also veterans. almost 100,000 followers on Instagram (@ the veteran community and knowing that their “Being Marines, John (Watkins) and feedmefightme), where the company shares money is not only going to help veterans directly, I, if we could ingest straight jet fuel, we videos of athletes working out in the clothes. but also indirectly by our donations, we feel that probably would,” Eayrs said. “We live off Mixed in with these feats of strength are has definitely led to our success.”

11 Hooked on Chaos

o be honest, I might have been Training for war to enjoy the road trip as we were travelling over hooked on chaos before the military. the Euphrates River and into Mesopotamia, At the age of 16, I found myself on I have been asked many times what war is the cradle of civilization, towards Taji, a juvenile probation. It started off with like and it is still a difficult question to answer. small village north of Baghdad that is home Tunderage drinking, but then quickly moved up I’ve learned it’s best to be straightforward: War to the Iraq Army’s Air Force base, which was to criminal mischief. My delinquent behavior is like spending a year in a foreign country strategically placed alongside the Tigris River. led to being suspended from school and a where complete strangers want to kill you, and The views were flat and endless with random tour of the local youth delinquent facility as a they have years of experience doing it. oasis’s every ten miles or so with patches of preview to future consequences if I didn’t turn During the fall of 2003, I met this beautiful palm trees around them. Beautiful, yet barren. my act around. girl from Portland. On our first date, she asked A reoccurring task that was not so pleasant My behavior was not well-received by my if I thought our unit was going to be deployed in was having to attend services for service parents. They kicked me out of the house for coordination with the initial invasion into Iraq. members killed in action. Being attached to days at a time and called me a few choice words With my unit having just sent volunteers to the 1st Cav, it felt as though we were attending when my father had to pay to get a car out of Egypt, I confidently replied, “No.” (My answer services every other week — sometimes for two impound after I tried drag racing with a friend’s might have been motivated, at least in part, by or three soldiers at a time. In the beginning, Ford Mustang. my strong desire to see her for a second date.) it was safer being outside the wire because of I didn’t win. A few months later, and just after making all the mortar attacks inside the base, but our honor roll for the first time, my battalion patrols gave them a new target. Road to redemption received orders for an 18-month deployment Finding out that your co-workers have to Iraq. We trained in Fort Hood, Texas, for been killed is one really bad day at the office. At 17, a friend introduced me to the Oregon the first six months and spent one year on the Another bad day at the office is being issued a Army National Guard. He was already enlisted ground in Iraq. metal detector and told to walk down the side and had a perfect sales pitch for recruiting I was excited and nervous. This was an of the road looking for bombs. Fortunately, I additional members: a $2,500 enlistment bonus, opportunity to prove ourselves as more than just didn’t find any. free college tuition, no unit deployments since “weekend warriors” and go into combat with a It was just us driving around until getting World War II, and being part of the infantry, band of brothers who had trained together for ambushed so the convoys full of supplies you get to run around the woods one weekend the last five years. Although, I had to drop out could make it to their destinations unscathed. a month playing laser tag. of school for two years and everyone shared the We were expendable, being sacrificed for the Since I was still a minor, my father had to same unspoken question, which wasn’t going greater good. Frustrating. sign for me to enlist for six years (a task that to be answered anytime soon: “Will I make it Part of our mission was to win the hearts he completed with absolutely no hesitation). back?” and minds of the local Iraqi people. With the In return, I got the enlistment bonus and an children being the future of the country, I all-expense paid trip to Fort Benning, Ga., for Combat veteran for life figured they were my best bet and initiated basic training, where I learned the value of hard what I informally called “Operation Teddy work and discipline. Upon returning home, I On the ground, we were assigned non- Bear.” It involved my father’s employer, Western enrolled in college and never failed another armored Humvees to drive into Iraq and use Pioneer Title, who sent over garbage bags filled class. To this day, I believe basic was at times during our deployment. With the luxury of with stuffed animals. During our patrols, we more difficult than war, as we had no freedoms vehicles, I’ll admit to being relieved at not would hand them out to the children clamoring whatsoever. At least during downtime in Iraq, being stuck as a full time “ground pounder,” over our vehicles. It felt good putting smiles on I had access to Burger King, Subway and the but they were basically pickup trucks. Feeling these kids’ faces, some of whom didn’t even ability to play video games and watch movies. like mercenaries, we made sandbags and used have shoes on their feet. Of course, war was more than just fun and them to provide additional protection. As the This experience, along with my truck games. driver, I put them in the floor board and we getting hit by an IED during an ambush, led to a After basic, I earned an associate’s degree made frames for the truck bed and placed them mantra I always remember in times of despair: in business and transferred to Oregon State inside. I am alive today and have shoes on my feet. University. In addition to that one weekend Back at Fort Hood, we were taught to look a month, which always seemed to occur for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), or Homecoming right before finals every quarter, I had the homemade bombs, that could be hidden in opportunity to visit Louisiana and Germany as garbage, potholes, or dead carcasses alongside Returning home was difficult. I missed part of our two-week annual trainings. Playing the road. Unfortunately, once we started the being part of something bigger than myself. with guns and traveling the world — I couldn’t two-day trip into Iraq, you couldn’t travel a mile When wearing the uniform, you were part of ask for anything more. without there being a potential hiding spot for a four-person fire team, eight-person squad, Then, my unit got orders to go to Iraq. an IED. So we just kept driving, and I took time 35-person platoon, 200-person company,

12 By Joshua Groesz, executive director of The Salvation Army Veterans and Family Center guest contribution

killing or being killed is that they may be able to just as calmly and easily go about taking their own life if they come to believe it is their only way out of a bad situation. After Lines for Life, I joined The Salvation Army’s Veterans and Family Center in Beaverton, where we provide room, board, case management, and excellent customer service to over seventy veterans and their family members participating in our transitional and permanent housing programs. As an executive director with the Salvation Army, I can truly do the “most good” by supporting veterans experiencing homelessness. Post-traumatic growth Post-traumatic growth, or PTG, is being researched by the University of North Carolina Charlotte and describes the potential of someone becoming stronger after a traumatic event. PTG identifies five separate areas where growth can occur: 1) Potential new opportunities in life; 2) Stronger relationships Joshua Groesz and his unit scan for with family, friends, and others who may have IEDs along a roadside in Iraq. shared similar experiences; 3) A stronger sense of self after surviving the trauma; 4) A greater appreciation for life; and 5) A strengthened and 800-person battalion whose mission was but the tasks were boring and monotonous. I sense of spirituality. to protect over 300 million Americans and felt numb, paranoid and far from motivated. I First, I wouldn’t be the executive director of directly support over 30 million Iraqis with was hooked on chaos. the Veterans and Family Center if I were not Operation Iraqi Freedom. I found myself a veteran. Second, being away from home for feeling isolated from the civilian world and New mission over a year helped me appreciate my friends struggled to reconnect with loved ones. and family more. I am now married to that A few months later, the Department of With the knowledge of my struggles, and beautiful woman I started dating back in 2003, Veterans Affairs (VA) diagnosed me with post- those of other veterans, I embarked on a new and we have two precious daughters. Third, at traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I couldn’t mission with the same objective, to become times of stress and frustration, I remind myself drive on the highway or walk in crowds without a counselor to support my fellow men and that if I can survive Iraq, I can survive anything. becoming hyper-vigilant and panicking because women in arms. After earning a Master of Lastly, knowing that some of my friends did not I didn’t have a battle buddy to watch my back Science in mental health counseling, I became have the opportunity to return home from war or a loaded firearm to fight back if attacked. a program director for the Military Helpline, allows me to not take for granted the life I get To be honest, I missed the rush of it all, having a 24-hour crisis line for service members, to live today. death around every corner. I was literally going May this story help you understand veterans through adrenaline withdrawals. veterans, and family operated by Lines for Life, and their reactions to stress. If you look beyond I missed having authority over everyone a nonprofit. During my tenure at Lines for Life, the post trauma, PTSD comes down to being around me, including the police, whom we we also became a backup call center for the a stress disorder. While in uniform, stressful were responsible for training. I missed the VA’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for situations meant lives were on the line, both firepower we carried. The responsibility was Veterans (800-273-8255 and press 1), where we yours and your co-workers. Therefore, when huge, protecting your life and the lives of the answered over 1,000 calls a month to support veterans find themselves in stressful situations, soldiers around you. I was trained as a combat the VA in reducing wait times and suicides. even minor ones, they automatically go into life saver, and my bag was always filled with Performing crisis intervention with a battle mode. The same response kept them alive IVs and extra bandages to back up the medic. veteran dealing with hopelessness and thoughts in the service, but can have the opposite effect After returning home and going back to school, of suicide provided me with a purpose similar in the civilian world. I found myself carrying a backpack full of to the one I had as a combat life saver overseas. So, next time you are working with a textbooks. Civilian life was kind of lame. Although, instead of supporting soldiers on the veteran and become frustrated or overwhelmed In an attempt to chase that rush, I got a battlefield fighting insurgents, I was supporting with their resistance, please remember that speeding ticket for driving 110 mph in a 55 veterans in the civilian world fighting they swore an oath to put their life on the line zone and tried multiple careers: car sales, hopelessness and isolation. An unfortunate for your freedom. banking, a call center, and retail management side effect of training soldiers to have no fear of What are you willing to do in return? 13 Uncle Ed Comes Home

n a family where someone is named for A year later, a second telegram said her son Susan Poole sits beside her brother’s a relative, the person usually knows quite was a prisoner of war. That news, however grim, coffin and photo. Ed Poole served in the a bit about the person they’re indirectly gave her a bit of a mother’s hope. Army during the Korean War and died in honoring. But after four years, the Army issued a death action over 60 years ago. His remains were INot Ed Truax. certificate, promoting the Pool from private to recently identified using DNA testing. What he gathered from family lore, passed corporal so his mother could get added death from generation to generation to generation, benefits. was just this: His uncle, Edward Pool, died in Pool’s mother needed certainty, a body to 1950 while fighting in the Korean War. missing, he’d appeared to her in the family bury. Over and over, she wrote letters to Army kitchen, where she was doing her homework. Exactly what happened to the 22-year-old officials with questions. She knew it sounded crazy, but she said he’d remained a mystery for decades. He was listed as As is so often the case in war, she got no come to say goodbye and then he vanished. missing in action, leaving everything unresolved answers. Life had to go on. for the family. The unanswered questions made She had to know. Susan met a man in California and fell in it difficult to move on from the past. But it was not to be. love, getting to do all the things her brother When do you finally let someone go? When she passed away, it was her daughter, would never experience. The couple moved to What do we, as a people, need to say Susan, who carried the memory of Edward, her Portland and started a family. In time, she was goodbye to those we love? twin, who had enlisted in the Army out of high blessed with eight grandchildren and two great- For Ed Pool’s family, there were never good school, in the summer of 1949, to escape the grandchildren. answers. small California town and make something of But she never forgot her twin, Edward, lost Until now. his life. The choice seemed safe because WWII so young. . . . had ended. But then the Korean War began. By “I was her oldest, the first son,” Truax said. the fall of 1950, Pool was sent to the battlefield. “I was named after him. Through me, she was In early 1951, Pool’s mother, Ida, a young Susan came to accept her brother’s death. keeping the memory of her brother alive.” widow who had moved with her seven children Only rarely, and then in quiet moments, would . . . from Oklahoma to California, received a she talk about the loss, simply telling people telegram from the U.S. Army. Her son was that twins have a special bond. She mentioned, Truth be told, Truax never thought about his missing in action. once, that before her brother had been reported uncle. Why should he?

14 Story by Tom Hallman Jr., photos by Beth Nakamura, The Oregonian/OregonLive Reprinted with permission. IN THe COMMUNITY

who said Pool, who had been shot in the hip, died in the camp sometime in January 1951. “We learned that my uncle, who was wounded during the battle, was loaded with wounded prisoners onto U.S. Army military trucks,” Truax said. “The Chinese overwhelmed the trucks, shooting them from on high. The trucks were abandoned. Many of the wounded in those trucks were executed on the spot. But my uncle was captured. He froze to death in the camp.” His uncle and others were buried in mass graves. In 1994, a humanitarian mission team was allowed to go into North Korea and try to find soldiers’ remains. The team took 218 boxes of bones to a military lab in Honolulu. “We learned the first thing they did was take all the bones and spread out in the lab,” Truax said. “These were just bones in the dirt. They had to analyze each bone.” A funeral service for Ed Poole was held on June 19 at Willamette National Cemetery. Decades earlier, the military had taken blood samples from families of men missing in action. Now, it came time to test the DNA of the bones to see if they could be matched to a His mother was pregnant with him when room in the assisted living center. On a shelf in living person. her brother went missing. In all those years, the closet, he found a box marked “photos.” No “It took years,” Truax said. “We learned they Truax had never seen a photograph of his photos of Edward. were able to match five bones, pieces of bones, uncle. The only bond they shared was the same And then he found an envelope. Inside was that were from Edward. From records, they first name. a newspaper clipping. A small-town paper, long traced him to his family, to my mother and to And, as is the rhythm of time and life, with ago, had run a black-and-white photograph me, with that phone call.” each passing generation, Edward Pool faded taken when Edward Pool graduated from basic When the meeting ended, the military from memory. training. official said the Army wanted to give Edward Then, the past became present. Late last Truax studied the photo. Pool a proper burial. A few weeks later, Truax year, Truax, a financial adviser who served a It was the first time he’d seen his uncle. visited his mother in the assisted living center stint on the Tualatin City Council, was waiting “It struck me how much he looked like my to talk about what to do next. for an elevator when his cellphone rang. mother,” he said. “And how much I look like him.” “This has been a process for my mother,” Is Susan there? . . . he said. “She’s going to be 89. Some days, she’s No. sharp as a tack. Other days, not so well.” Who am I talking to? The meeting with the military official Susan Pool told her son that she wanted This is Ed. lasted more than four hours. The military had her brother buried at Willamette National Are you named for Edward? prepared a 64-page report, complete with maps Cemetery. Her husband is buried there, and a Yes. and lab results to explain at long last what had space is reserved for her. She said it gave her The man said he was head of identification happened to Edward Pool. peace to know her brother would be there, too. at Fort Knox, an Army base in Kentucky. Finally, the family had answers. A week later, Truax went to see his mother “The man said they’d identified Edward’s In November 1950, Pool was one of 3,200 again. remains.” soldiers from the United States and South Korea “She was confused,” Truax said. “She Truax nearly dropped the phone. who had been assembled into a combat team thought her brother was coming to see her.” And then... on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir. On the What to say at a time like this? “He said they wanted to bring him home to us.” night of Nov. 27, a force of as many as 30,000 What do we need to say goodbye to those . . . Chinese soldiers surrounded and then attacked we love? the unsuspecting team. Within days, the Army He told his mother her brother was home. Plans were made for a military official evacuated 1,500 wounded servicemen. Only Finally, home from the war. to come to Portland to meet with Truax, his 385 soldiers could go on. The rest had been siblings and their mother to explain what had either captured or killed. Pool was among those Editor’s note: Cpl. Edward Pool was laid to happened to Edward Pool. listed as missing. rest June 19 at Willamette National Cemetery In the meantime, Truax was asked to find a In 1953, the two sides exchanged selected in Portland, with full military honors, and with photograph of his uncle. He had none, nor did sick, wounded, and injured prisoners of war. his sister and other surviving family members in his brother or sister. So, he went to his mother’s A U.S. official interviewed an American POW attendance.

15 Code Warriors How A new generation is helping their fellow veterans launch careers in tech

avid Molina is all about purpose. It was that sense of soon. What do you do when you’re thinking about life after the purpose that led him to the United States Army, where military? he attained the rank of captain and served honorably “Probably the same thing I did: You go on the Internet and for 12 years. And, it was for lack of purpose that — after Google ‘best careers in America,’” he says. “And, especially for the Dleaving the military — he foundered, until he discovered a new past few years, you’re going to see ‘coding’ right at the top.” cause into which he could pour his time, energy and creativity. If the phrase “professional coders” conjures up a picture of It is the same for many new veterans leaving service, he believes. barely-20-somethings in hoodies and flip flops, sipping custom “That’s what it’s all about,” he says. “You come out of service, Starbucks drinks while they build apps for Silicon Valley venture and you’re just looking for that same sense of purpose you had in capitalists, that’s only because the industry is growing too fast for the the military. And, once you find it, all you want to do is build on it.” stereotypes to catch up. For many veterans like Molina, who is married with three The fact is that only 8 percent of computer programming jobs daughters, that purpose soon becomes caring and providing for are in the Bay Area; the rest are scattered across the globe, in bustling a family, through education, followed by —ideally — a rewarding big cities and sleepy small towns. You can find coders tending the career. And, for a growing number of veterans, also like Molina, IT infrastructure of sprawling, multi-national corporations, and you their career path of choice is in coding. can find them looking after the security software system of your Why coding? Molina thinks it’s pretty simple. local bank. He explains by way of analogy: You’re a young service member They are stable, family-wage jobs, and there are millions of them. in the Middle East, and you know your term of enlistment is ending Molina believes coding is “the blue-collar job of our generation,”

16 By Tyler Francke, Veterans News Magazine feature Veteran

David Molina, founder and CEO of Oregon-based Operation Code, speaks at GitHub Universe 2016, an annual conference hosted by GitHub for developers, IT and systems administrators, entrepreneurs and business leaders.

17 replacing the factory and mining careers that was because they paid out of pocket (the average their resume and cover letters.” helped build America’s middle class after World cost of these programs is around $10,000). And as the community has grown and War II. (This is quite literally the case in places He began reaching out to the code schools joined their voices together, code schools — and like eastern Kentucky, where a startup called Bit and was astounded to learn that anywhere Congress — are starting to listen. Molina has Source built its work force by teaching laid-off between 20 to 35 percent of their monthly been invited back to the nation’s capital several coal miners how to code.) inquiries were from veterans asking if their times to brief congressional committees on the “Coding is the new literacy of the 21st programs accepted GI Bill benefits. need for opening up opportunities for veterans century,” Molina says. “The blue collar jobs Molina’s experiences led him to found to explore careers in tech. used to be laying pipe and wire Even better, there are now a and building the infrastructure dozen code schools in the U.S. of the country; now, it’s that accept GI Bill benefits. (In connecting the wires and 2014, when Op-Code began, plumbing of the Internet.” there were zero.) The number But when Molina entered has grown slowly because the civilian world in 2013, the current process requires he quickly realized that a individual schools to reach traditional degree program out to the VA and apply for wasn’t going to cut it. He had recognition. a family to support, and he “What we found was that couldn’t take four years off there were code schools that before starting his new career. wanted to (accept the GI Bill), That was when he heard but they didn’t know how to about code schools: immersive, do it,” he says. “So we’ve been accelerated, “boot camp”- trying to educate them on that style programs designed to process.” turn students into entry-level Expanding that number computer programmers in the The blue collar jobs used to be more quickly would literally span of months, not years. take an act of Congress, Molina had just one laying pipe and wire and building amending the GI Bill so it problem: At that time, not a covers code schools — which is single code school accepted GI Op-Code’s ultimate goal. Bill benefits, and he couldn’t the infrastructure of the country; Until then, Molina revels afford the programs on his own. in the small victories. During a “You know, a lot of World now, it’s connecting the wires and recent interview, he pauses to War II vets came home and check his phone and excitedly were able to get good jobs at plumbing of the Internet. points to the screen, which is factories like Ford and General open to Slack. There’s a message Motors, and they really built David Molina, Operation Code sent to Molina earlier that day that industry,” Molina says. “But by a user named Aubrey. just imagine if their educational “Just wanted to give you a benefits didn’t lead them to those jobs. Imagine Operation Code, a nonprofit dedicated to heads up, I got accepted to Fullstack Academy!” if they could only use their benefits to get a job helping veterans launch new careers in coding. Aubrey says. (Deep Dive Fullstack is a code as a professor or a farmer. What would that have Created primarily to push the issue on making school in Albuquerque, N.M., that accepts GI done to the automotive industry? code schools accessible to veterans using their Bill benefits.) “And I owe it to the help of the “When I left the service in 2013, that’s GI Bill, Operation Code (also called Op-Code) Op-Code community.” exactly what I felt was happening to us. There has become much more, a diverse community Molina takes no salary from his job as was this whole new industry that was rising up, with dozens of chapters and over 2,500 members CEO of Operation Code, and his “staff” of and we were being left behind.” all over the country. 70-plus, including local chapter presidents, . . . Op-Code uses a messaging app popular in are all volunteers as well. He admits that it is Molina soon learned that he wasn’t alone. the coding community called Slack to engage often a challenge balancing Op-Code with A particularly eye-opening experience was members and connect them with mentors, job family responsibilities and his own contracting when he went to Washington, D.C., to attend openings, scholarship opportunities and more. business. a conference for veterans interested in starting If a member has a question about coding or a But when he sees the message from Aubrey, their own companies — most of them requiring specific project they’re working on, they can go he can’t help but grin ear to ear. some level of IT expertise. Virtually all of the to the Operation Code community to get help. “This is why I do it,” he says. “This right here. veterans there expressed the desire to go to code “It really became its own open-source This is why we’ll keep doing it, no matter what.” school, and almost all of them ran into the same project,” Molina says of Operation Code. “We Editor’s note: For more information about problem Molina did. built it intentionally as a community, a place how to support or join Operation Code, visit Out of the hundreds of veterans there, only where they can get help with issues, they can www.operationcode.org or www.facebook.com/ two had actually attended code school, and that learn JavaScript, they can even get help with operationcode.org.

18 Opposite page photo: David Molina meets on behalf of Operation Code with members of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C.

19 Monica Hamm, a seven-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard, is one of the storytellers featured in Breaking the Silence.

Below, left to right, are Jeralyn O'Brien, Linda Campbell, Lindsay Paulk and Landon Shimek.

20 By Tyler Francke, Veterans News Magazine Feature Veteran project LGBTQ Veterans are ‘Breaking the Silence’

he Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is signed on with the Coast Guard, a set-back she described as proud to announce the completion of Breaking “truly (having) to start all over.” the Silence, a documentary featuring the stories But Hamm was good at what she did, and she soon earned of some of Oregon’s LGBTQ service members and a leadership role as a junior officer, supervising a patrol of 10 Tveterans. to 15 personnel (all male) intercepting drug runners off the This groundbreaking film explores the lives of five Oregon coast of Miami. Still, she can’t help but look back on that time veterans, who not only served their country honorably, but in her life with a certain amount of regret, because she feels were forced to serve in silence and at great risk to themselves, that having to hide part of her identity prevented her from their careers and their families. being “all that she could be” (ironically, a well-known slogan “We are privileged and honored to share the stories of associated with the U.S. Army). these five incredible men and women, who have shown such “I mean, if you would have seen me back then, I was great courage in coming forward after years or even decades pretty damn good. I was that young junior officer, making it of silence,” said Cameron Smith, director of the Oregon happen and getting things done,” she said. “But in the end, I’m Department of Veterans’ still concerned every day if Affairs. “We are extremely I’m going to be investigated proud of this film and are because I’m dating a excited to celebrate the woman on the base. It’s like diversity that unites us as you weren’t allowed to just a vibrant community of It’s like you weren’t ser ve.” veterans and as a state.” After the military, Breaking the Silence Hamm had a successful was filmed by the multi- allowed to just serve. career as a special agent talented videographer Julia Monica Hamm for several federal agencies. Reihs and produced by She is now a licensed Portland storyteller Paul private investigator, living Iarrobino, in collaboration in Portland, which she with Nathaniel Boehme, ODVA’s LGBTQ veterans describes as a “safe haven for me.” coordinator. She said she was honored and grateful to be part of the Portland resident Monica Hamm, a former officer in film, Breaking the Silence, and hopes it helps open people’s both the Air Force and Coast Guard, is one of the storytellers eyes to the unique challenges faced by the country’s LGBTQ featured in the film. She served a total of seven years in the veterans and service members. military, after Vietnam but before the onset of Don’t Ask “When you think about it, I was fighting for the country Don’t Tell in 1994. as a lesbian Air Force or Coast Guard officer, trying to save “This was before ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell.’ In my day, it lives and interdict drugs, and I didn’t feel safe myself,” she was just ‘Hide, or it’s over,’” Hamm recalled. “I was actually said. “I was being investigated by my own military. investigated for being gay, and I was asked that question, “I wanted to serve. For me, being a military officer was ‘Why can’t you just hide?’ I didn’t want to hide. I wanted to be a big deal. But I was always fearful it could be taken away me, the real me, when I showed up for work.” from me, not because I wasn’t good at it or couldn’t do it, but Hamm was eventually discharged from the Air Force, because I was a lesbian.” under honorable conditions (which was often not the case A trailer for the film can be found online at www. for other lesbian, gay or transgender individuals serving in youtube.com/watch?v=JeBpkFepTnU&t. If you are interested the military prior to the repeal of DADT in 2011), but her in organizing and hosting a free screening of Breaking the documentation did contain the gibe, “failure to conform Silence: An Oral History of Oregon’s LGBTQ Service Members to accepted standards of military behavior.” This negative in your community, please contact ODVA at 503-373-2389 or wording caused her to lose her rank of captain when she [email protected].

21 Story and photos by Jesse Burkhardt, The Dalles Chronicle Reprinted with permission.

‘Let’s

Go for Jim Frankfother, 80, an Army veteran who served in Korea, waits in the front seat of the Boeing Stearman just before a Spin’ his biplane flight.

he concept behind Ageless Aviation sacrifi ces of those who helped make this call it the time machine,” added Christopher Dreams Foundation is in the country what it is. Th e “dream fl ights,” which Culp, who described himself as “a proud organization’s motto: “Giving back last 20 to 25 minutes each, are provided at no volunteer pilot” for Ageless Aviation. to those who have given.” Th e charge. Culp, who operated the biplane during the devotionT inherent in the motto was recently “We honor our veteran heroes by taking fl ights, retired from the Oregon State Police on display at the Columbia Gorge Regional them back in time to a place where they ruled aft er 28 years as a pilot. He said he got involved Airport in Dallesport. the sky as proud military aviators. ... Ageless because he was “looking for something Ageless Aviation, a nonprofi t organization Aviation Dreams Foundation is dedicated to positive to do.” dedicated to honoring seniors and U.S. every senior, living and deceased, who helped “Th is felt like a great project,” said Culp, military veterans, returned to Th e Dalles area build this great nation,” reads an excerpt from who lives in Salem. for the third year in a row to literally “give a the organization’s mission statement. “We want “Each year they take a new group of lift ” to a group of veterans from the Oregon to let their memory live on in every Dream veterans up, and the residents and staff look Veterans’ Home (OVH). Flight fl own from this day forward.” forward to this amazing opportunity,” Haugen “Th ey come up every year, usually in Last Tuesday, four veterans went up in a said. “Th e idea is to give back to those who August,” said Jade Lange, recreation director Boeing-Stearman biplane — an aircraft that have given all of us so much through their for the OVH. “We go out and ask who would was oft en used to train military aviators in the service in the military.” like to go on an airplane ride, and we fi ll out 1940s, when World War II was raging. One of the fi rst to fl y last Tuesday was applications for how many veterans want to go “Th is experience for our veterans is very Alice Tatone, a Navy veteran who served in up. It also depends on their level of cognition exciting and rewarding, both for the people World War II. “WAVES” stood for “Women and physical ability because most of the going up in the plane and for those watching Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service,” a veterans are in their 80s or 90s.” from the ground and assisting,” said Chris women’s unit formed in 1942. Th e purpose of Th e foundation, based in Carson City, Haugen, volunteer coordinator for OVH in the WAVES was to release men for sea duty Nev., is a volunteer team that is funded solely Th e Dalles. “Th ey come back very happy and by replacing them with women at the bases on by donations from individuals and companies. feeling about 20 years younger.” shore. Pilots travel around the nation to honor the “You can see it takes years off their age. We Tatone, who is 95, said she appreciated

22 Story and photos by Jesse Burkhardt, The Dalles Chronicle Reprinted with permission. IN THE COMMUNITY

A Boeing-Stearman Model 75 biplane prepares to take off at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport. The plane was part of an Ageless Aviati on outreach to the residents of the Oregon Veterans' Home in The Dalles.

being able to take a fl ight. Korea. He had an interest in fl ying when he OVH staff ers praised the assistance of the “I really enjoyed it,” she said quietly while was a boy, but never pursued it in his military Dallesport/Murdock Fire Department and sitting next to the plane aft er it landed. career. EMS crews as “invaluable for our experience.” Tatone showed she still has a wonderful “In World War II, I wanted to be a pilot,” Th e fi refi ghters literally helped lift some of the sense of humor. She made a date with the pilot he said. elderly veterans into the open cockpit seat so to go up again when she turns 100. When Culp asked Frankfother if he wanted they could take a ride. Although she enjoyed going up in the to go for a ride, the veteran appeared to think biplane, Tatone said she had one complaint: about it. “We couldn’t do this without the Dallesport Because she is short, she had trouble seeing a “Let’s try it,” he said aft er a moment, giving Fire Department. Th ey’ve been amazing,” lot from the cockpit. a thumb’s up signal. “Let’s go for a spin.” Lange said. “A pillow would have helped,” she said. David Dierks, 74, who was in the Air “Th is is a super team eff ort,” added Mike Tatone is one of a relatively small number Force and served in Vietnam, also went up in Allegre, quality of life coordinator for Veterans of World War II veterans still living. According the Stearman. Dierks was once a pilot of light Care Centers of Oregon, based in Salem. to the U.S. Department of Veterans Aff airs, as aircraft , and joked that he would be ready to Aft er the day’s fl ights, the staff ers who of 2017 only about 500,000 of the 16 million take over the controls from Culp if needed. brought the veterans to the airport said they Americans who served our nation in World Another OVH resident shuttled to the loved the assignment. War II are alive today. airport last Tuesday was Larry Greene, who “Everything went great,” Lange said. “I’ve Others who fl ew Tuesday included Jerry served in the Army in Vietnam. Greene wasn’t got a special place in my heart in regards to Bailey, 69, who served in the Army during the able to go on a fl ight this time around, but said Vietnam War. He said he used to fl y for fun he enjoyed watching the others go airborne. veterans. I have worked at OVH for 15 years with his brother, who was a pilot, and was very He pointed out that he hadn’t fl own much now, and feel so blessed and honored to be happy to fl y again. at all in his life, but he did recall two very serving the wonderful men and women who Jim Frankfother, 80, who served in the important fl ying experiences during his time fought for my freedoms. Army, was another of the vets who went up. in the military. “Events like today remind me of what a Frankfother’s military service included duty in “Just there and back — Vietnam,” he said. great place I work, and why I do what I do.”

23 Story and photo by Rylan Boggs, Blue Mountain Eagle Reprinted with permission.

24 Story and photo by Rylan Boggs, Blue Mountain Eagle Reprinted with permission. Benefit Updates

Rural Veteran Transportation Program Logs 500,000 Miles

regon’s Highly Rural Transportation administered by the state and partner agencies. The Program, a federal, state and local program helps veterans in 10 participating counties partnership helping meet the transportation who often do not have adequate access to medical needs of veterans in rural areas, has logged care in their communities. Each of Oregon’s 10 highly Oover 500,000 miles in its first two years of operation. rural counties can receive up to $50,000 a year. A Veterans who were served by this program were highly rural county is classified as having less than transported all over the Pacific Northwest to see doctors seven residents per square mile. The 10 in the state are and receive medical care. The grants are implemented Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Lake, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, through local transportation entities. Sherman, Wallowa and Wheeler, according to the Grant County is serviced through the People Mover, Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs. Each county which goes to Bend, Redmond, Pendleton, Walla Walla, has received the maximum funding allotment. Burns, Baker City and Boise. From October 2014 to September 2016, a total Angie Jones, the transportation manager at the People Mover, said the program has been extremely of 529,199 miles were logged, roughly half of the helpful for veterans all over the county. nationwide total reported by Oregon and all the other “We’ve been able to get Grant County residents to states participating in the VA-funded program. any kind of medical appointment, including pharmacy, Oregon’s drivers tracked over 9,000 trips, spent over for free,” she said. 20,000 hours on the road and served 2,279 veterans The $50,000 in grant funds is helpful, but it doesn’t during that time. get the People Mover all the way there. “This program’s success is directly due to the “Usually by the 10th month, we’re using general outstanding management of each county’s transportation funds,” Jones said. “It’s a limited amount of money, but system and their ability to creatively transport veterans it’s a valuable service, so we would rather dip into our by partnering with other transportation networks general operating instead of cutting services.” and overcoming weather, distance and other adverse Bob Stewart of John Day served in the Marine Corps circumstances,” Mitch Sparks, ODVA’s director of and describes the service as “an absolute blessing.” statewide veteran services, said. “They come here. They pick me up. They take me To access the veteran program through People where I want to go,” Stewart said. “Seeing as how I’m a Mover, veterans will need to present a DD214 showing veteran, I can go to the doctor, to home health, to any honorable discharge, a VA Medical Benefit Card or kind of medical thing.” Oregon driver’s license showing veteran status. The program is federally funded by annual grants For more information, contact the People Mover at from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and 541-575-2370 or visit grantcountypeoplemover.com.

The colorfully adorned Grant County People Mover is one of the local providers that partners with the state and federal government to transport Oregon veterans to their medical appointments each year through the Highly Rural Transportation Grant program.

25 By Jim Redden, Portland Tribune Reprinted with permission.

State and federal veteran benefit updates New VA online tool helps veterans learn and their caregivers learn about preventing members in mind, organizing information about and compare PTSD treatments and caring for existing injuries. Called the by both benefit type (education, health care, June 2, 2017 — The federal VA has launched VA Pressure Ulcer/Injury Resource app, the burial, recreation benefits) and resource area an online tool to evaluate treatment options app is available for tablets and smartphones (students, family, women, LGBTQ). New to for PTSD and encourage patients to actively at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. the site are live feeds of news and and benefit participate in decisions about their care. Find Veterans and their caregivers can track pressure updates, and a calendar of veteran events the tool at www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/Decisionaid ulcers and set up reminders to move, eat, take around the state. Find out more: www.oregon. medications, and more. VA secretary formalizes expansion of gov/ODVA emergency mental health care to former VA to redesign benefits program for service Measure 96 provides more funding for service members with other-than- members leaving the military veterans programs across state honorable discharges September 27, 2017 — Effective October 1, the July 7, 2017 — There is $26.1 million in June 27, 2017 — Effective July 5, all Veterans Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program will combined General Fund and Lottery Funds for Health Administration (VHA) medical centers enable service members to receive disability services to veterans in the 2017-19 biennium will be prepared to offer emergency stabilization benefit decisions the day after their discharge. (prior biennial funding for veteran services care to former service members with emergent Service members using the program can was $10.4 million General Fund). These mental health needs. Former service members submit their claim from 90 to 180 days prior essential resources help fund statewide veteran with an OTH discharge may receive care for to discharge from active duty. More info: www. services as well as pass through funding to local their mental health emergency for up to 90 benefits.va.gov/predischarge/claims-pre- days, during which time VHA and the Veterans discharge-benefits-delivery-at-discharge.asp partners like county veteran service offices, Benefit Administration will determine if the national service organizations and community mental health condition is a result of a service- Veterans ID cards available starting in Nov. nonprofits. related injury, making the service member October 5, 2017 — Veterans Affairs officials eligible for ongoing coverage for that condition. will start issuing new veterans ID cards in New investments with Measure 96 lottery November 2017, available at no cost to veterans funds include: $4.5 million to double VA caregiver support program resumes full who apply through the department’s website. the current level of funding for county operations The new cards will not replace VA medical veteran service officers and national service July 28, 2017 — Following a three-month cards or official defense retiree cards, but will organizations; $4.1 million to secure Oregon’s review, the federal VA has resumed operations honor veterans’ service and provide a way veteran home loan program for future of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance to prove service status. At the time of this generations; $3.9 million to sustain county for Family Caregivers. The caregiver program printing, the application website has not yet veteran service office funding and enhance website has been redesigned with additional been determined. statewide veteran services; $1.5 million to information for caregivers and Veterans: www. support veterans’ housing and homelessness caregiver.va.gov My HealtheVet has a new look – Check it out! prevention efforts; $1.2 million to establish a September 19, 2017 — My HealtheVet, VA’s grant fund to support student veteran success Decision Ready Claims speeds up disability online personal health record, has been on campus; $555,000 to establish a grant fund claims processing with help from VSOs redesigned with a leaner, cleaner look to to support non-profit and community partner September 7, 2017 — The Veterans Benefits improve Veterans’ online experience. See the efforts; $350,000 to support a veterans’ crisis Administration has developed a new Decision new look at www.myhealth.va.gov and suicide prevention hotline; $245,000 to Ready Claims (DRC) initiative which leverages State makes new funding available to fight establish a veteran volunteer program; $2.3 advance claims preparation from VSOs to veteran homelessness in Oregon million to establish a reserve balance in the speed up processing. Veterans who submit veteran services fund. their claim under DRC can expect to receive July 31, 2017 — The state of Oregon has a decision within 30 days. Learn more: www. announced more than $17 million in funding In addition to the existing General Fund benefits.va.gov/compensation/DRC.asp available for the construction, acquisition or and new Lottery Funds for veteran services, rehabilitation of new multifamily rental housing VA and Walgreens team up to fight units that serve low-income veterans struggling there are other significant investments made influenza by providing no cost flu shots with financial or mental health crises. The for Oregon’s veterans and their families in September 12, 2017 — Walgreens will provide program is being coordinated through Oregon this biennial budget. They include additional no-cost flu vaccinations for enrolled Veterans Housing and Community Services (OHCS), funding for mental health resources and through the VA Retail Immunization Care in partnership with the Oregon Department capital construction projects: $2.5 million Coordination Program through March 31, of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA). At the time of invested through Oregon Health Authority 2018. All Veterans who are enrolled in VA care this printing, applications for funding are now to improve veterans’ access to mental health may walk into any Walgreens (or Duane Reade closed. resources; $2.5 million authorized for Oregon in the New York area) to receive a vaccination at Veterans’ Home facility improvements in no cost by presenting a Veterans identification ODVA launches newly redesigned website Lebanon and The Dalles; $10.5 million card and a photo ID. putting information at veterans’ fingertips authorized for a third Oregon Veterans Home; September 27, 2017 — ODVA has launched $250,000 authorized for the Vietnam Veterans New mobile application helps Veterans its redesigned website to make benefit and Memorial Wall replica project in Southern become more involved in their health care resource information easier to find than ever. Oregon. September 14, 2017 — A new app helps Veterans The redesign was done with veterans and family

26 By Jim Redden, Portland Tribune Reprinted with permission. veteran benefit corner

A volunteer answers a call at the Portland-based Lines for Life center. Photo courtesy Lines for Life. Lines for Life Expanding Nationwide ortland-based Lines for Life has been awarded an exclusive The Veterans Crisis Line is operated by the Mental Health national contract to be the sole backup call center for the Association of New York City. national Veterans Crisis Line. During the discussion, Wyden and others talked about the increasing “We couldn’t be more proud of having been chosen as the medical and mental health needs of veterans. John Lee, senior vice onlyP backup center to the Veterans Crisis Line,” said Lines for Life CEO president of the Westcare health system and former director of the Dwight Holton. “We got this contract because we have a proven track Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, said aging Vietnam record of supporting military service members and veterans.” veterans are now the largest single block of surviving veterans, and The Oregon-based nonprofit hired an additional 26 call-takers to that many of them are dealing with such problems as opioid addiction, field the estimated 1,200 additional calls each month from the Veterans especially in rural areas. Crisis Line when it experiences high call volume, service interruptions, Wyden responded that he had opposed congressional Republican or staffing fluctuations. The expanded operation went live on Sept. 12. efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare largely because it would The announcement of the one-year, $3.4 million contract was made have reduced future funding for Medicaid, which pays for addiction at a roundtable discussion in August with Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, treatment. representatives of Lines for Life, national and state military officials, “They’re going to have to run over me to take those services away,” and others. Wyden said Lines for Life was selected over other crisis call said Wyden, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. centers in the country. Also participating in the discussion was: Oregon Department “To have Dwight Holton as our point person was extremely of Veterans Affairs Director Cameron Smith; Lines for Life Assistant valuable,” Wyden said of the former Oregon U.S. Attorney. “Veterans Crisis Lines Director Tom Milligan, Portland police crisis negotiator have to know they will get a swift response from Line for Life.” and Lines for Life volunteer Officer Bill Ollenbrook; and Lines for Life The hirings will nearly double the number of Lines for Life call crisis intervention specialists Andrea Gardner and Erin Miller. takers, who are assisted by around 250 volunteers. “Our passionate staff of veterans, family members of veterans, and Since 2012, Lines for Life has served alongside a handful of other other civilians are highly trained, well-versed in military culture, and crisis call centers to provide backup support to the Veterans Crisis Line. perfectly positioned to provide superb quality care for those who call the In 2016 alone, Lines for Life fielded 30,221 calls from the Veterans Crisis Veterans Crisis Line,” Holton said. Line. Wyden said he pushed the Trump Administration to award an Lines for Life has offered crisis services for more than 20 years. Its exclusive backup contract to the most qualified call center as one of the free 24-hour Military Helpline can be reached at 1-888-457-4838. best ways to improve services to veterans. For more information, visit www.linesforlife.org.

27 By Dominic Aiello, president of the Oregon Outdoor Council R&R Previously published. Reprinted with permission.

Oregon’s outdoors help veterans cope

regon’s abundant public land offers diverse recreational has seen a little different color of Branden Trager of The opportunities, but for military veterans, it can provide life, a lot of people don't understand Fallen Outdoors, brings a additional benefits. PTSD, finding work can be difficult group of veterans hunting. Jana Waller and Jim Kinsey from Missoula, Mont., host and you’ve lost your brotherhood. “SkullO Bound TV” on the Sportsman Channel. Jim and Jana occasionally It’s easy to feel disconnected.” take veterans with ranging disabilities and skill level on free hunting trips He also said that hunting can fill the gap left when you lose that to help them experience the benefits of the outdoors. brotherhood from your time in the military. They recently shared one of their most memorable hunts where they “Most of us don’t hunt by ourselves. You get to spend time with like- took Bo Reichenbach, an above-the-knee double amputee Navy Seal on minded people who share a common goal. It brings that team feeling his first elk hunt. back,” Trager said. “When we called Bo and asked if he would like to go on an elk hunt, Incredibly, he estimated that he introduces about 250 veterans to he responded with a strong, ‘Absolutely,’” Jana said. hunting or fishing annually. Though he said one pair in particular stick Bo grew up in Montana and was passionate about hockey before the out in his mind. loss of his legs but wasn’t much of a hunter. However, he didn’t shy away “A goose hunt in Oregon wasn’t going as planned. It was about a from the chance. 2-mile walk to the spot we were hunting. We spent a lot of time to set out As you can imagine for a double amputee hunting in mountainous 200 decoys, and the birds weren’t cooperating. Plus, these two vets were terrain, there were challenges. older cold war and Vietnam era vets,” Trager said. “His prosthetics didn’t work in the rocky terrain. They were too It turns out the two veterans lived close to each other but hadn’t unstable,” Jana said. “He took off his prosthetics and literally crawled the previously met. mountain for seven days until he finally shot a beautiful bull elk.” “A few months after the hunt, one of the guy’s wives called me and Not only was this a triumphant success for Bo, but they tell me it was told me I saved her husband’s life. She told me that these two guys had the most inspiring moment watching the sense of pride and achievement become inseparable. Instead of going to the bar every night to drink, when he touched his elk for the first time. now her husband goes out and play cards, hunts or participates in other “As a former Marine, there’s pride in overcoming challenges. When events,” Trager said. veterans go out and experience Mother Nature like this, it’s healing. He said you’re just one hunt away from finding a new best friend and We’ve helped veterans that haven’t left the house in years. I hope that that hunting takes a lot of guys off the bottle or away from the pills and moment inspires other veterans that are going through hard times say 'I brings life back into them. After all, hunting is not about blood lust. He can overcome my obstacles too,’” Jim said. said it’s about the experience, comradeship and helping veterans cope It turns out Jim and Jana are not the only ones helping veterans heal with the various issues they come home with. through hunting. Locally, Branden Trager of The Fallen Outdoors and an If you or a veteran you know is interested in experiencing a hunt, The Army veteran has served over 19 years active duty including two tours Fallen Outdoors can help get you started. They can walk you through the in Afghanistan. equipment essentials and nurture you through the process before ever Trager tells me that it’s difficult for veterans to transition back into going into the field. civilian life. Trager also said veterans are welcome to tag along for the experience “There's a huge divide between civilian life and military life. A veteran without actually hunting to see if it’s something they are interested in.

28 R&R

Lucky 666 Civilianized Volunteer Bob Drury and Tom Clavin Michael Anthony World War II aviation After twelve months Team Rubicon account of friendship, of military service in www.teamrubiconusa.org heroism, and sacrifice Iraq, Michael Anthony that reads like stepped off a plane, Interested in volunteering your talent, Unbroken meets The seemingly happy skills and time to help provide disaster Dirty Dozen from to be home — or at relief across the nation? Team Rubicon is the authors of the least back on US soil. a veteran-led disaster relief organization #1 New York Times He was 21 years old, that has an active group in Oregon and bestselling The Heart a bit of a nerd, and unites skillsets of veterans, first responders of Everything That Is. With unprecedented carrying a pack of cigarettes that he thought and trains volunteers to be prepared for the access to the Old 666 crew’s family and letters, would be his last. Two weeks later, Michael aftermath of a disaster. Open to veterans as well as newly released transcripts from the was stoned on Vicodin, drinking way too and qualified civilians. Imperial Air Force’s official accounts of the much, and picking a fight with a very large battle, Lucky 666 is perhaps the last untold Hell's Angel. At his wit's end, he came to “great war story” (Kirkus Reviews) from an agreement with himself: If things didn't Go the war in the Pacific. It’s an unforgettable improve in three months, he was going to kill tale of friendship, bravery, and sacrifice— himself. Civilianized is a memoir chronicling Tour of U.S.S. Blueback and “highly recommended for WWII and Michael's search for meaning in a suddenly submarine at OMSI aviation history buffs alike” (BookPage). destabilized world. omsi.edu 503-797-4000 During this 45-minute long guided tour, Drone Warrior When We Walked you will get to peer through a periscope, Brett Velicovich Above the Clouds touch a torpedo, climb in a bunk in the A former special H. Lee Barnes crew’s quarters, and much more. The first operations member There is the mythology Sunday of every month gives all visitors takes us inside of the Green Berets, general admission for only $2. America’s covert drone of their clandestine, war in this headline- special operations as making, never-before- celebrated in story and Connect told account for fans song. And then there of Zero Dark Thirty is the reality of one Military Women Across the Nation and Lone Survivor, soldier’s experience, (WMAN) told by a Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street the day-to-day loss and drudgery of a Green [email protected] Journal writer and filled with eye-opening Beret such as H. Lee Barnes, whose story 503-246-9938 and sure to be controversial details. “A must conveys the daily grind and quiet desperation read for anyone who wants to understand behind polished-for-public-consumption Formerly the WAVES, Military Women the new American way of war.” (General accounts of military heroics. In When We Across the Nation is open to all. The Michael V. Hayden, former Director of the Walked Above the Clouds, Barnes tells what Portland Chapter (The Ripples group) Central Intelligence Agency and the National it was like to be a Green Beret, first in the meets on the third Thursday of the month Security Agency). Dominican Republic during the civil war of from February through November at the 1965, and then at A-107, Tra Bong, Vietnam. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4248, 7118 S.E. Fern, Portland. 13 Months in Vietnam Warrior Pups

Bill Kroger Jeff Kamen Written by Oregon This book, by Emmy- Relax author and Vietnam Award-winning veteran Bill Kroger, broadcast journalist Divide Camp 13 Months in Vietnam Jeff Kamen illustrates www.dividecamp.org tells the true tale of the the incredible story Divide Camp provides outdoor activities first communications of the K9 world of like hunting and fishing for combat battalion to be sent trainers and handlers wounded veterans from Oregon, Idaho to Vietnam. In 1963, inside Lackland Air and Washington. Divide Camp provides before major engagements began, the Force Base in San comfortable and safe lodging in a beautiful, restrictions on the men are loose. As with Antonio. Karem was granted unprecedented remote and peaceful environment, young men away from home for the first access to the closed based by the U.S. Defense excellent meals, and transportation at time, they find trouble that remind them Department to take readers behind the scenes no charge to veterans. Applications are they’re in a war zone. of the U.S. Military Working Dog Program. available online.

29 boots on the ground By Joe Glover and Gus Bedwell, Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs

Success stories from ‘He Told Me We Had All the front lines of Oregon's veteran Changed His Life’ service officers ne of my favorite stories was from back in 2011/2012. get the family reunited and living under one roof together. A veteran came to me at one of his lowest points. He Once we had that resolved, we had to figure out what was going on was homeless, living in his car with his two dogs. His wife with his claim. He had bounced around from three different regional and two young daughters were sleeping on a couch together office areas and his claim had followed him wherever he went (these were atO her sister’s house because she couldn’t have the dogs. These were his the days before paperless claims and the National Queue). We asked that PTSD therapy dogs, and they went everywhere with him. the claim be brought up from Waco and began immediate expedited To make matters worse, a vindictive ex of his told the VA that he processing due to homelessness. had died, and they cut off his small disability compensation shortly after All of that was a month before Christmas. ODVA adopted the family moving up to Oregon from Texas. that year and we made sure they had a good Christmas. Coordinating The very first thing we had to do was we had to raise him from the that was especially tough because his phone had shut off, and we weren’t dead and get his benefits started back up. We had to write a formal letter really sure how to reach them. Eventually, we were able to track them to the VA saying that the person in front of me was indeed him, and he down through the wife’s sister. was indeed alive, and would indeed like to start receiving his benefits A month later in January, he received a backpay check for the time again. Then we sent a referral over to Easter Seals where they were able to he was “dead”: $17,720.00. He and his wife had enough to move into a

30 locate a veteran service office

house on their own for the first time in years. The landlord wanted proof of the The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, local payment. We wrote a letter certifying that this was indeed a legitimate source county veteran service officers (CVSOs) and national service organizations provide claims assistance to all of funding, and with that, they moved off public assistance and into a place of veteran and familiy members. Veteran service officers their own. are accredited by the federal VA and certified by the Two years later, after quite a bit of work, his 100 percent disability due state of Oregon. The disability claim process begins to a back injury sustained in Iraq came through. The vet received another the moment you file a claim. Service officers are also retroactive award of $41,016 and 100 percent disability. This was enough for available to assist with other veteran benefits and them to buy their first house together. resources. To schedule an appointment, please contact On that day, he shook my hand, had tears in his eyes and told me that I’d the office nearest you. changed his life. He then told me that he wanted to buy me a beer. I laughed, told him that I couldn’t accept something like that, but I appreciated the gesture PORTLAND (ODVA) MARION nonetheless. (HONEST!) He then came back into the office a day or two later 503 412 4777 503 373 2085 with the largest meat/cheese/cracker tray I’ve ever seen in my entire life. He SALEM (ODVA) MORROW told me he was donating that to our office because we had all changed his life. 503 373 2085 541 922 6420 That we did accept. BAKER MULTNOMAH I’ll never forget those two. They’re the reason I do the job I do today. 541 523 8223 503 988 8387 — Joe Glover BENTON POLK 541 758 1595 503 623 9188 I’ll never forget one story that began when I was working outreach at the CLACKAMAS SHERMAN local fair in 2008. A veteran approached our booth interested in VA home loan 503 650 5631 541 565 3408 information. I inquired about his Vietnam hat and the fairgrounds wheelchair CLATSOP TILLAMOOK his daughter and granddaughter were pushing for him. 503 791 9983 503 842 4358 I discovered he was in Vietnam in the ’60s as an Army infantry soldier. He COLUMBIA UMATILLA was very humble about his service even though he had been awarded a Combat 503 366 6580 541 667 3125 Infantry Badge and Bronze Star. I also found out that he used a wheelchair COOS UNION because of a below-knee amputation due to diabetic complications from earlier 541 396 7590 541 962 8802 that year. CROOK WALLOWA While at the fair, he agreed to let me file a claim for him for conditions 541 447 5304 541 426 0539 related to Agent Orange exposure during his time in Vietnam. Several months CURRY WASCO later, we met in my office to review the outcome. The veteran told me he was 541 247 3205 541 506 2502 granted a disability rating of 80 percent for several conditions we’d filed that DESCHUTES WASHINGTON day at the fair. He was really happy because it meant that he could finally retire. 541 385 3214 503 846 3060 Prior to that, he had been working a modified 4/10 work schedule for about DOUGLAS WHEELER two years. This allowed him to work a couple of days, take a rest day, and then 541 440 4219 541 763 3032 work a couple more days. His employer had agreed to this schedule after his GILLIAM YAMHILL amputation and continued it for him due to his diabetes issues. 541 384 6712 503 434 7503

We added individual unemployability (part of the VA’s disability GRANT compensation program, which allows the VA to pay certain veterans 541 575 1631 AMERICAN LEGION 541 475 5228 compensation at the 100 percent rate, even if their service-connected disabilities HARNEY have not been rated at 100 percent) to his claim and helped him file for Social 541 573 1342 DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS Security disability. HOOD RIVER 503 412 4750 Three months later, he medically retired. Oh, and with the VA retro pay, the 541 386 1080 MILITARY ORDER OF veteran was able to put a down payment on a small home. JACKSON THE PURPLE HEART Another memorable story is about a WWII veteran’s widow who came into 541 774 8214 503 412 4770 my office a few years ago, very frustrated and seeking help. Apparently, she had JEFFERSON NATIONAL gone to several other agencies, and no one would help her. Her husband had 541 475 5228 ASSOCIATION FOR BLACK died a couple years earlier and she was seeking to get his grave marker updated JOSEPHINE VETERANS with his correct rank. 541 474 5454 OF AMERICA 503 412 4159 According to the VA, her husband left the Army Reserves after World War KLAMATH II as a Corporal (E-4). However, in several pictures she had of her husband in 541 883 4274 PARALYZED VETERANS OF uniform he was a Staff Sergeant (E-6). After months of combing through several LAKE AMERICA documents and working with a Midwest state National Guard command, we 541 947 6043 504 412 4762 were able to find the veteran made it to the rank of Sergeant (E-5) promotable. LANE VETERANS OF This information was presented to Willamette Cemetery, and they agreed to 541 682 4191 FOREIGN WARS 503 412 4757 update the grave marker. LINCOLN The widow came back into my office the day after Memorial Day crying 541 574 6955 VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA and thanking me for helping her. I’ll always remember how happy she was, as LINN 541 604 0963 she went around the office showing everyone pictures of the new marker and 541 967 3882 of her husband in uniform. MALHEUR — Gus Bedwell 541 889 6649

31

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