Help get Team Rubicon the Classy Awards!

Team Rubicon is up for two Classy Awards!  I would like your help voting for them. They are up for the Charity of the Year and Best New Charity awards. All you need to do is vote for them. It will only take a second unless you want to read more about them or the other candidates.  The Top 10 Finalists will be  announced on August 30th.  The winners will be recognized live on-stage at the Oscars-style Classy Awards ceremony in San Diego on September 17th. Team Rubicon co-founders, Jake Wood and William McNulty are featured speakers at the event.

The first I heard of them was after the tornado hit Joplin, Missouri. I was watching the NBC news and up pops this piece about vets stepping in and assisting in the most amazing way. It was one of those moments when I just wanted to stand up and cheer. Here was something that those vets had the skills needed in spades! Their mission is to aid disaster victims applying skills they learned in the service while engaging veterans. I think that is what makes Team Rubicon special, it’s about Vets doing service in a constructive way! So, come on, vote for them! And, while you’re at it, get your friends to vote for them too!

Central Oregon Veteran’s Outreach (COVO) -The Heart of the Central Oregon Veterans Community

If I  had to choose a heart for the Veteran’s Community in Central Oregon, it would have to be Central Oregon Veteran’s Outreach. They wear many hats and have many connections in the community.

Many of their efforts are directed toward the homeless veterans. They include:

• Outreach to homeless camps of our area
• Distributing food, clothing, camping supplies, fuel, etc.
• Refill propane tanks
• Providing communications and transportation assistance
• Run the COVO Medical Van which provides free medical services to all homeless people
• Running a Transitional House (Home of the Brave) for homeless vets who are ready to make changes. They also have a Duplex for Female veterans and two other projects which have recently started, a home down in La Pine and a quadplex in Bend.

Each homeless veteran is unique, there is not a one size fits all story for the reasons why they are homeless. COVO acknowledges this and meets the veterans on their own terms. A relationship is built on trust and ways are found to get the veteran off the streets. This takes time, energy and money.

That is quite a lot (they won the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 2011 Partnership Award) and we could all pat them on the back if that was all they did. But, that’s not all COVO does. They also:

• Take reservations for the DAV Shuttle to the Portland VA and back and the shuttle for the local VA clinic
• Assist in Filing disability claims for vets
• Lobby in Salem on veterans issues
• Sit on committees, the Veteran’s Court, for example
• Act as a clearinghouse to assist vets in receiving other services

That last one is a big umbrella. If you have a question or need help, COVO will be able to help you or they know who can. Or, if they don’t know they will find out who can and help you get there too!

I wish I had a dollar for every time in the last year COVO was in the newspaper talking up some veteran’s issue. If there ever is a good friend of  a Central Oregon Veteran- any veteran not matter what income level, it’s Central Oregon Veterans Outreach.

COVO has dreams, they want to reach out more to the younger veterans , they want to help more veterans in more ways. They just keep getting better and better. But they could use your help and right now the best way you can help is by adding them to your list for your donation online for the Sagebrush Community Challenge or you can put Central Oregon Veterans Outreach to your donation list and mail in your donation.

Central Oregon Veterans Listen Up! You can Enroll for eBenefits June 6th

Representatives from US Representative Greg Walden’s   office and the VA will be available to assist veterans to enroll for the VA’s eBenefits  in Deschutes County on Mon., June 6. According to the eBenefits website it is the one-stop shop for online benefits-related tools and information. This portal is designed for Wounded Warriors, Veterans, Service Members, their families, and their caregivers. If you know of a Central Oregon veteran who could benefit from this, please let them know. Walden Wants Better Access For Veterans to Services

Here are the sites and times:

o   Sisters: 9:00 am- 10:30 am, Sisters City Hall, 520 E. Cascade

o   Redmond: 11:30 am- 1:00 pm, Redmond VFW, 1836 SW Veterans Way

o   Bend: 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm, Bend VFW, 1503 NE 4th Street

o   La Pine: 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm, La Pine American Legion, 52532 Drafter Road

Veterans will need to bring two of any of the following forms of identification: Driver’s License; Social Security Card; Passport; Birth Certificate; DD214; or your DOD Identification Card.

All veterans need to do this! I have sat through several Central Oregon Veterans Council Meetings where the benefits of doing this has come up. Especially for older veterans who have never tapped into any benefits. If something happens and they get in a bind sometimes it’s discovered that there is help available through the VA but they need to start the paperwork before anything can be done. (Take for example, a Vietnam Vet who’s developed a cancer that falls under the agent orange umbrella). June 6th is a great opportunity to get registered without the long drive to Portland with the expensive gas costs. Please if you know anybody who is a veteran tell them about the event!

The VA’s new eBenefits website allows veterans to track their claims, benefits, and records through just the click of a mouse. However, to sign up for the website, veterans have to travel all the way to a regional VA facility which is in Portland to enroll in person. US Representative Greg Walden thought that burden was unfair to the veterans that lived in Oregon’s 2nd district which he represents. He approached the VA asking to figure out a way to bring the enrollment process out to the rural veterans.  They did find a way. During four days in 10 counties in the 2nd district,  381 veterans were signed up, saving them collectively perhaps as much as $30,000 they would have needed to travel to the Portland to sign up in person. Now is the Central Oregon Veterans turn to register locally. I urge you to do it!

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Vets would be well advised to use the services of a certified VSO or NSO before doing anything they might regret directly through this system.  The VSO/NSO services are free and they understand the “system” much better than most vets ever will. The county VSO officer is Keith MacNamara and Central Oregon Veterans Outreach has one.

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June 7th

Christmas Valley 9:30 to 11:00 am North Lake Clinic 87520 Bay Road

Lakeview 2:00 to 4:00 pm Lake County Courthouse, Memorial Hall, 513 Center St

June 9th

Klamath Falls 10:30 to 1:00 pm Klamath County Commissioners Meeting Room #219, 305 Main St,

Central Oregon Memorial Day Events 2011

The history of Memorial Day

When and How to Display the Flag

Those Oregon has Lost in the Last Year

A General Honors Fallen Soldiers

Memorial Day 2011 High Desert Honors Heroes

Prinville, Sisters Remember Fallen Heroes

May 27-29, 2011-10:00 am-4:00 pm – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4108, of Redmond, will distribute red poppies in honor of Memorial Day. The poppies represent the red poppies from the poem, “In Flanders Fields,” written by Col . John McCrae of the Canadian forces. This year’ s distribution will be at Redmond’s Fred Meyer and Walmart.

May 28th

 10:00 am – All are welcome to help VFW 1643 to place flags on the graves of more than 1,000 veterans at Deschutes Memorial Gardens, 63875 N. Hwy. 97.

May 30 th

6:45 am –  Boy Scout Troop 25 will install 200 flags in downtown for the Bend Parade of Flags, on Veterans Memorial Bridge, and at Bend Heroes Memorial. Contact:  Dick Tobiason, 541-390-9932

8:45 am to 10:00 pm – Fourth annual continuous reading of the name, age and hometown of U.S. military members killed in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since 2003.  Located in Riverfront Park on S.W. Columbia Ave., next to Bend Parks and Rec. Admin. Bldg (down near the Old Mill). Dress for the weather , bring your own chairs or blankets. Contact: Tracy Miller, 970-426-9512, or firstamendmentsightings@live.com

9:00 am service at Terrebonne Pioneer Cemetery in Terrebonne

11:00 am service at Redmond Memorial Gardens

11:00 am to 3:00 pm- Brew Werks Brewing at the Old Mill will be  “buying a beer for a vet” .  The brew pub is @ 384 SW Upper Terrace Drive in the Bluffs section of the Upper Old Mill District, One Block West of the Wilson/Bond Roundabout in the Phoenix West Building. PH: 541.633.7670

1:00 pm – Ceremony to honor all military members and the memory of all our loved ones who have sacrificed their lives for their country at Deschutes Memorial Gardens, 63875 N. Hwy. 97.  Honored Guest: Sen. Ron Wyden.  Keynote Speaker: Bend Mayor Jeff Eager.  After the ceremony all are welcome to go to VFW Post 1643 and Auxiliary at the VFW Hall, 4^th and Olney. Contact:  VFW Post 1643, 541-389-0775

1:00 pm –   Bend The Oregon Air National Guard 173rd Fighter Wing will do a flyover. The F-15s will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and flying at about 400 mph.  Flights could be canceled or times changed due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.

1:00 pm-6:00 pm Operation Eagles Wings will be webcasting from Bend Heroes Memorial at the west end of Veterans Memorial Bridge on Newport Ave in Bend. They want to know what Memorial Day means to you.

3:00 pm– Each year at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, Americans unite in a National Moment of Remembrance which honors America’s fallen and their families. During this time, 200 Amtrak trains blast their whistles, approximately one-half million Major League Baseball fans at ballparks around the U.S. are joined in silence, and countless other participants pause to remember the sacrifice made by the fallen.

12:00 pm-4:00 pm Monday Night dinner at Redmond VFW Post questions call Dianne Guthrie 541-280-5162

6:00 pm– Help take down the flags being displayed in downtown Bend (meet at the Bend Heroes Memorial off Newport) or in Redmond (meet at Les Schwab Tires ).

Two Central Oregon Events Honoring Veterans at the End of March

What is a hero? The Oregon Mountain  River Chapter of the American Red Cross says heroes are made in a blink of an eye. I will have to agree, you never know when you’re going to be in a situation where you’re going to be called upon to act with courage. At 7:30 am, March 29th, the Oregon Mountain River Chapter will have their annual Heroes Breakfast, recognizing some of our local heroes. Among the honorees are Army Sgt Ryan Craig and Marine Corporal Kyle Thompson both of whom I have written about before. And, Diane Brock and Dan Hulbert, the founders of Caring For Troops. If you are interested in attending, it will be held at the Riverhouse Convention Center. Tickets are 25 dollars each and can be purchased at the Red Cross or by phoning the Red Cross at 541-382-2142 ext 7. The doors open at 7:15 and the breakfast starts at 7:30.

This event is the annual fundraiser for the Chapter. All proceeds support the work of our local Red Cross Chapter. Besides offering all kinds of first aid classes, the Red Cross also is involved in all aspects of disaster preparedness and is the contact point for military families when they need to reach a loved one in the military in an emergency. They also do a great job of getting blood donations. If you want to see what some local heroes look like and support a great organization, here’s your chance!

The second event is:

March 30th: Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

According to an article at the Veterans Today website March 30th was the that the last American Soldier left Vietnam, which makes it fitting that four years ago Congress declared March 30th Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. The soldiers coming back from that war never did get any kind of welcome when they came back. They were either ignored or worse.

The Madras Chapter of the American Legion unit 125 and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 125 will be holding a dinner on the 30th which is free for Vietnam veterans and a 5 dollar donation is asked from other attendees.  It will be held at the Madras Senior Center at 6:00 pm. The Madras Pioneer ran a nice article on the event which included interviews from two local veterans. You can find it here.

Also, in Bend at the Vet Center on the 30th of March there will be cake for the occasion. I don’t have the information about a time for that. Their number is 541-749-2112

Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is Looking for Veterans

Bend Area  Habitat for Humanity has some Vet projects in Bend and Prineville which are fairly simple, don’t require any construction experience and are starting soon.  It would be great to have vets helping vets! If you would like to volunteer to help you will need to:

• Attend Volunteer Orientation
• Register As A Volunteer
• Schedule Your Volunteer Time

More information about that process can be found here.

Under a new program called, the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) our local Habitat is able,  “to purchase foreclosed properties and rehabilitate existing homes, incorporate energy efficient features, and paint and landscape exterior of homes”.  The rehabilitate includes rehab, repair, weatherization, and A Brush With Kindness projects for homeowners in Bend and Crook County. If you know a Bend or Prineville vet (or anyone else) who could use some assistance on their owner-occupied homes, please contact Sheila Pyott, the NRI Manager at Habitat. Her phone is 541-385-5387 x 225.  Or, email her at spyott@bendhabitat.org and she can talk about the process. Sheila, in an email to me wrote, “We are working with other local agencies to make sure the applicants get the services they are seeking. Whether it’s something Habitat can do, or through one of our partners”.  

Central Oregon Veterans need Household Items

Recently, there have been log jams in the VA which were preventing homeless veterans in Central Oregon from getting housing (read story here).

The VA finally did a temporary fix which has allowed 17 homeless veterans to get housing vouchers, which is fantastic!

Now think about it, these vets have been homeless, traveling light. Some have lived in shelters, motels or been couch surfing and still others have lived in tents. They have no furniture, no bedding and no household goods. They have nothing that couldn’t be as mobile as their owners needed to be. At this point they don’t have the funds to purchase all the furniture and  household items they need.

That’s where you and I come in!  Central Oregon Veterans Outreach,  Housing Works and Bend Community Center are teaming up to gather the needed items for these veterans. We can take donations to The Community Center Thrift Shop which is one block west of the 7-11 on 97 across from Safeway.  Things needed are furniture, bedding, towels all kinds of kitchen items. Think of things someone setting up a household need. Instead of donating to Goodwill- you can donate it to a local vet! You can make a difference in a local’s life! You can do it, I know you can!

KBND has a little article here on the left under local news.

Also, another worthy group needs the same kind of items, Deschutes County Behavioral Health. These are going to help individuals with mental illness transition into independent living. Individuals with items to donate to the Deschutes County effort are asked to call or e-mail first. Contact: rebeccae@co.deschutes .or.us or 541-330-4638.

Helping causes like these makes Central Oregon a better and stronger community for all of us!

Central Oregon Veteran’s Day Salute!

For a short explanation about the making of, I Fought For You” by Sound Tank go here. It runs 6:51 minutes.

A soldier\’s wife reflects on his return from deployment

For Central Oregon Veteran’s Day Events, see the previous post.

Upcoming Central Oregon Veterans Day Events

 Wednesday November 10th, 2010

5:00pm Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Elks Lodge at Butler Market Rd, Reservations required. Contact:   Susie Wirges 541-388-2604

Thursday November 11, 2010

Shilo Inn free Veterans Breakfast Buffet 7:00 am to 10:00 am ($8.50 non veterans) show military ID….give name & rank

Bend Veteran’s Parade 11:00 am Honoring Women Veterans and 1-82 CAV Oregon Army National Guard downtown Bend. The parade will include the new Traveling Medical Clinic which will be visiting the homeless camps in Central Oregon on a routine basis addressing medical needs. There’s also supposed to be a Bat Mobile in the parade.

11:00 am Redmond Veterans Parade downtown. The public is invited to a Chili Feed following the parade at VFW Post 4108, 1636 SW Veterans Way. The event is co-sponsored by Post 4108 , American Legion Post 44 and the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. Contact Jeff Casserly, VFW Post 4108, 541-550-6656

After the parade in Bend, A Thank A Vet Event– at the Bend First United Methodist Church American Red Cross Youth Corps and Girl Scouts are joining together to celebrate Veteran’s Day with a Thank A Veteran Event. Veterans are invited but please RSVP if you plan to go 541-306-6033

12:00pm to 5:00pm Open house at VFW Post 1643 located at 1503 NE 4th St., Bend The public is invited, refreshments will be served. Contact Bob Cuzick 541-389-0775

Schlotzsky’s  is offering free meal to Veterans 
all day on veterans day…show military ID….give name & rank

At the Outback Steakhouse U.S. Military members and Veterans can receive a free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage.  Make sure to bring proof of military service.

At Applebees , Military veterans and active-duty Service Members will be able to eat free. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the following as proof of service:  U.S. Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Photograph in uniform, Wearing uniform, Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), or DD214.

Saturday, November 13, 2010 Events

Veteran’s Day/Marine Corps Birthday Run  Bend City Hall at 9:00 am to benefit the Disable American Veterans Portland shuttle van. Contact Eric Chandler 541-383-8061

At 10:00 am at Beecher-Carlson (Formerly Sage Ins), 369 NE Revere Ave in Bend,  Caring for Troops  which sends packages to troops overseas on hazardous duty will be having Thanksgiving and Christmas packups because of the volume of packages that go out this time of year. They could use donations of items (see a list on their website) and help putting together the packages.

7th Annual Veterans Chili Cook-Off Challenge 11:00am-2:00pm VFW Post 1643 Contestant Rules and Entry Forms for Businesses and Organizations are available at VFW Post 1643 (deadline to enter is Nov 10th). $1.00 Chili Vouchers will be sold at the Door.  Trophies for 1st, 2nd,  3rd place and a People’s Choice Trophy  in Red and Green Chili categories. There will be door prizes, music and dancing.

Col. Tom Greco will give a Desert Storm presentation at 6:30pm at 21155 Tumalo Rd. There will be pie and ice cream.

First Central Oregon Project Healing Waters Meeting to Be Held October 13th

Central Oregon Project Healing Waters is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings.

The first  meeting will be-

At:  the Orvis Store in the Old Mill

When: Wednesday, October 13^th

Between 6:00 and 7:00

For Further information: bdemery1@aol.com

At this initial meeting we would like talk about our plans and would like  veterans who  are interested in learning to come and hear about the program and also for them to share what they would like to learn about fishing, be it learning to cast, tie flies, make a rod.

Future get-togethers will be held, for the time being, at the Orvis store in Bend on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. As the need arises, one on one mentoring will be available at times to be determined by the participants. Fishing outings will start next spring. 

Central Oregon Project Healing Waters is a branch of the National Organization.  In July I wrote an article about the branch forming and now they are ready to start the program.