Vets' Corner: Local veterans share stories
Friday, March 13, 2009 11:52 AM PDT
The Veterans of Meadowbrook Residential Care and the members of the Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida met for a fun time and a chance to talk about the time they served our country and stories that were funny and some that touched your heartstrings. Norma, Bob, Ray, John and Jim all seemed to enjoy the time we spent together, we also had Bill join us in our celebration and give us support and good words about our service to our country. The Red Apple and community support along with Glenn, Harold, Gary, Chris and I with the help of Kandi from Meadowbrook had a great time learning about each other and we all look forward to the next time we get together. Thanks to everyone.
Notice: Free suicide prevention class
The Ontario Elks Lodge No. 1690 and the Boise Veterans Hospital will present a free suicide prevention class open to anyone from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the lodge located at 20 S.W. Third St., Ontario. The class will last an hour, with a question and answer period to follow. The lodge will serve coffee and punch to anyone attending. For more information contact Conrad Weber, (208) 739-3479. I as well as the Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida hope that we as veterans pack the Elks Lodge for this very important occasion.
Suicide among our comrades is on the increase and we must do our best to get the word out to every veteran and make sure that all know the suicide hot line number: 1-800-237-TALK (8255) then press ‘1’ if you are a Veteran or call your VA Medical Center or Vet Center, the information is also on
www.veteranadvocates.org . Also every Thursday the Elks Lodge is open to any veteran between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Free and open to the public. “Sunday Afternoon at the Movies” The Snake River JACL and Four Rivers Cultural Center presents “Only the Brave.”
This movie depicts the true event of how 800 Nisei Japanese Americans of the most decorated 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team sacrificed their lives during their efforts to save 211 Texans of the “Lost Battalion” in what is regarded today as one of the 10 most significant battles of World War II.
This story must be told often and never be forgotten. This is appropriate for ages 12 and older. This will show at the Meyer McLean Theater at FRCC on Sunday March 29 at 2 p.m. Please enter from the back parking lot. Donations to FRCC or the Oregon Food Bank are greatly appreciated. Refreshments will be provided. Copies of the movie will be available for sale.
As an advocate for our soldiers I hear more and more about a tough approach that forces soldiers to leave the military instead of our government reaching out a hand. The mental health problems and combat injuries should be addressed to see if a soldier will be able to continue with active service if he/she would like that option.
A measure of this problem is revealed when in the Army the number of Article 15’s against these select soldiers is the highest rate as compared to Army soldiers that have not been wounded. More research has to be done on this so we are not shortchanging our military. As news comes in regarding this I will report in this column.
Recently Pat Caldwell wrote a very important article about the progress on the National Guard Readiness Center. Please, if you have not read the article make sure you do and then drive past the new structure and see for yourself how important this building will be for our community.
Just a reminder about one very important contact that we have in our community: Veterans’ Service Officer Bill Thomson, (541) 889-6649, located at 1178 S.W. 4th St., Ontario.
He is your personal connection to Veterans’ Benefits. Just to give you an idea of his breath of knowledge, Bill can help you apply for and fill out the paperwork for health care, burial benefits, educational benefits, VA home loans, vocational rehabilitation, disability compensation, widow’s benefits, non-service connected pensions and any other Veterans benefits.
His services are free and invaluable. You have earned your benefits as a result of your service to your state and country plus remember the legal principle that no veterans’ benefits are awarded automatically.
“A soldier is he whose blood makes the glory of the general.”
— Adapted from Henry G. Bohn.
Ronald Verini is a local veterans advocate who writes a weekly column for the Argus Observer. He can be contacted at pencilsforpeace@q.com, or P.O. Box 933, Ontario, OR 97914
