Vets' Corner — Brennan joins the War on Terror
By Ron Verini
Friday, October 16, 2009 11:42 AM PDT
The 2nd 0f October 2009, Fort Benning, Georgia: Joseph Brennan graduated Army Airborne School. 25 October 2007, in Korengall Valley, Afghanistan: Sgt. Joshua Brennan and his team was ambushed. Josh was shot and died the next day. Today Private Joseph Brennan is now in route to Battle Company, 2-503, 173rd ABCT, joining his cousin Joshua’s company and thus continuing his families’ legacy of hero warriors of our country. Learn about Joshua’s “wings” when this story, in its entirety, will be published here in the Argus. Look for this important account that brings the War on Terror home.
It was a nice afternoon spent at The Dalles home for veterans. We watched a movie called “Empire of the Ants” in Bravo Wing. Andy sat next to me, and all in the room enjoyed our company for a few hours.
The fact that we were interested in sharing time with them was all that was needed to make their day so much better. I brought back with me a new list of things that the residents would like, so please go to
www.veteranadvocates.org for that information and other programs that you might want to work on for your organization or yourself. It is the little things that you do that might make a difference.
Nov. 7 is the day the Veterans Day Parade kicks off in Ontario. It is also the day that the Veterans Monument at the Four Rivers Culture Center is slated to be dedicated. Nov. 7 is the day that Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida will have its grand opening and open house at Park Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The address is 890 S.W. Fourth Ave., which is two doors up from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, caddy corner from Holy Rosary Medical Center. All are invited to this special organization, which has opened its doors to all interested in veteran affairs. Come see the organization that has programs like “Treats for the Troops,” “Pencils for Peace,” “Operation Quilts,” the support program for our families of the 116th (under the direction of Kelly Jones), “Community Color Guard” and many others. Come to the ribbon cutting on at 10:30 a.m. Nov.11 (Veterans Day). Then go to your local cemetery and honor the ones who are no longer amongst us.
I sit on the City Council and we had a chance to travel to Portland to attend the League of Oregon Cities annual convention. I was fortunate to meet many that share the fact that veterans, at times, have unique problems in our communities. I was encouraged talking with the many councilors and mayors about our needs as veterans, and we shared ideas.
One of the booths set up at the convention was the “Employer Services for Guard and Reserve,” which informed the mayors and councilors about the responsibilities our cities and businesses have when our military is involved as employees.
Ronald Verini is a local veterans advocate who writes a column for the Argus. He can be contacted at 881-8881, pencilsforpeace@q.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily represent those of the Argus
