Lobbying effort helps with veterans park plan

Wednesday, November 23, 2005 10:32 AM PST

Julie Engel Argus Observer

Ontario

Veterans Day is a time to honor those who served America, but it was also the day the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department began its free park stays for veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Veterans who qualify can camp in a state park for five days in a row, up to 10 days per month, and will also be able to obtain day-use passes throughout the year. The free camping applies only to RV and tent sites.

Until the pass-card system is up and running, veterans can use their disabled veterans license plates, VA medical card or letter indicating the disability to show they qualify.

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State parks with campgrounds close to Ontario include, but are not limited to, Farewell Bend, Wallowa Lake, Unity Lake, Succor Creek, Lake Owyhee and Catherine Creek.

Charles Chapin, Idaho's Department of Disabled American Veterans legislative chairman, said he talked with Oregon Rep. Tom Butler (R-Ontario) in 2001 about the bill he had just helped get through in Idaho. The bill allowed veterans with 100 percent service-connected disabilities to use Idaho parks for free, and Chapin approached Butler in order to see if he could get a similar bill into the Oregon legislative session.

Butler told Chapin he liked the idea, and he brought the bill to a legislative session in 2002. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director Mike Carrier asked the legislators for more authority to make decisions concerning benefits for veterans and others he might see a need of special consideration, and was granted that request. That same year, Carrier was then moved to the governor's office, and the new parks administration did not move forward with the request granted to Carrier earlier in the year.

“By allowing them to make their own rules on special days, it is easier for them to work within regulations than it is for us to pass statute,” Butler said.

Three free days were awarded to veterans in 2002 - Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day - and when the Legislature opened again in 2004, Chapin again approached Butler with his desire to get more than the three days. Butler said he asked the Parks Committee why it did not move forward, and got the ball rolling with the new parks director to put new regulations into place, which happened on Veterans Day. Chapin said he appreciates what Butler and his fellow legislators did for veterans.

“Tom is the man on this one, all I did was jab him a little bit, and he took over from there. Bless his heart,” Chapin said.

Chapin served in the United States Air Force during the Cold War, and said he has enjoyed working with different veteran organizations throughout the years.

Chapin began his service in 1990 by driving veterans to and from hospitals around the valley in a van. He said he did that for six years, five days a week and racked up more than 156,000 miles. He has held many posts in the Disabled American Veterans organization, including state commander and state adjutant. He also said he has worked almost 8,500 volunteer hours at the VA Hospital in Boise.

Chapin said he encourages veterans to join an organization so they can learn about the benefits available to them. Oregon veterans with 40 percent or above service-connected disabilities can take advantage of the Circuit Breaker property tax relief. Veterans who qualify can apply to their county tax office, and Chapin said he believes the deadline is April 15.

Chapin also helped to push a bill through in Idaho, giving service-connected disabled veterans hunting and fishing combo licenses for $4.75. Those in Oregon can get them for free.

“It's a big thing for all disabled veterans, and I thank you,” Chapin said. “I did it for the veterans, and it's what I've been doing all my life.”

Chapin said he is always ready to help, and anyone with questions can contact him at (541) 889-4049.

To make campground reservations, call (800) 452-5687. Reservations can be made two days to nine months in advance, and it is recommended, but not required, to make reservations, especially around busy holiday times. For a complete list of state parks, call (800) 551-6949, and ask for a park guide.