Director’s Message
Cameron Smith, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs
We cannot forget tHat We are still a nation at War Every day I feel privileged to serve as the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. After three tours in Iraq as a Marine, I fi nd great strength and solace in continuing to serve our military and veterans’ community.
Attending the funerals of our fallen service members is both the hardest part and greatest honor of my job. When I grieve with Gold Star families, I am struck by their remarkable strength and resiliency.
At the same time, I am humbled by the mission at hand. For the fi rst time in history, we are serving four generations of veterans who have served in our military, fought our battles in fi ve major wars, and stood guard over our peace.
These families have undoubtedly lost a light in their lives, yet they recommit with great resolve to live their life in honor of their fallen service member. Our military families do not wear the uniform, but there is no question that they also serve.
As a state and nation, we should all feel the weight of that responsibility – perhaps no more so, than as we approach Memorial Day.
Remembering our fallen once a year is not enough. The widows, widowers, mothers, fathers, siblings, and children of these men and women remember every day.
If we cut through the clutter of the start of summer and screaming sales, Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to honor the memory of our fallen friends, family, and heroes. How can we ever forget their service and sacrifi ce? Across the ages, from the beaches in Europe and on Pacifi c islands to the mountains and jungles in Asia, countless Americans have stood up to serve and have laid down their lives. At the most basic level, they fought to protect the one on their right and the one on their left, but ultimately their fi ght protects us all and preserves the values we hold dear. And we cannot forget that we remain a country at war. Over the last decade, we have lost almost 7,000 in the deserts, mountains, and city streets half way across the world in Iraq and Afghanistan. The weight of these recent confl icts has been borne by the few. Most of our citizens have not been directly touched by the wars. The same cannot be said for our Gold Star families. This year, we will unfortunately add the names of two incredible soldiers and Oregonians to the memorial at our headquarters in Salem: Private First Class Cody J. Patterson and Specialist John A. Pelham.
They are reminded of that loss when seeing an empty seat at the dinner table, when that family member is missing during the holidays, and the voice of that loved one is now heard only in their memories. Once again, Memorial Day observances are being held across this country, and there can never be too many of them. And at these events, Americans are honoring their fallen warriors like Specialist Pelham and Private First Class Patterson. Whether one served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East or elsewhere, veterans share a connection across the eras. William Shakespeare wrote in Henry the Fifth about this bond between warriors: “From this day to the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remembered; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.” This Memorial Day, let us all pause to remember our fallen and their families. Let us never forget what these men and women have done and what their loved ones have lost. We are stronger for their service and will never forget their sacrifi ce.
These men were so athletic, strong, and full of life. They loved the military and found themselves called to service at the highest level in the Army Rangers and Special Forces. It is tragic that their lives were cut short in Afghanistan.
VET S NE WS
Published by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Vets News is a free quarterly publication. Each issue contains current information impacting veterans in Oregon including Federal VA hot topics, and state, regional and local happenings. When credit is given to the source, Vets News articles may be reprinted. Nicole Hoeft Mike Allegre Marc Huchette Jeremy Woodall
Managing Editor / Production / Staff Writer Associate Editor / Staff Writer Production / Staff Writer Copy Editing
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Send your name and current address to ODVA, Vets News 700 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR 97301-1285
Phone
503-373-2386
vetsnews@odva.state.or.us
Online
www.oregon.gov/odva/INFO/VetsNews.shtml
Reunions, events, and story submissions are welcome, however, please note that all items are printed upon space availability. Input for the next issue must be received by July 6.
eDitor clarification In the 2014 winter edition of Vets News, we published a photograph of Oregon Medal of Honor recipient Bob Maxwell autographing the Postal Service’s newly issued Medal of Honor stamp for Postmaster Nate Leigh at Bend High School. Although the photograph was properly credited, the type was difficult to read, therefore we would like to clarify that this photo was courtesy of Michael Jensen of Jensen One.
THE DALLES – The place where honor lives, the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles, has again been named one of the top rated nursing homes in Oregon by U.S. News & World Report’s annual 2014 Best Nursing Homes report. The sixth annual report indicates the Home received an overall five-star rating and is among the top nursing homes in the state. U.S. News’ Best Nursing Homes report is designed to help the millions of Americans who will spend time in a nursing home in 2014. Nearly 16,000 nursing homes nationwide and more than 90 major metropolitan areas were rated. The recent report also indicates the number of fivestar ratings nationally is up from 19 percent last year to 25 percent. “The rising number of five-star homes is encouraging,” said Avery Comarow, U.S. News health rankings editor. “It speaks to care that is steadily becoming more skilled and compassionate.” Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Cameron Smith said the Home’s residents are like family and that’s how they’re cared for by the excellent staff and volunteers there. “That entire Oregon Veterans’ Home team earned this national recognition because their approach is simple; treat all veterans and their family members with the same caring respect and dignity they would want for their own families,” Smith said. To create Best Nursing Homes 2014, U.S. News drew from data at Nursing Home Compare, a program run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that sets and enforces standards for nursing homes. Opened in the fall of 1997, the Home is located just outside The Dalles. The staff is able to care for as many as 151 residents who need long-term care in a facility that provides skilled nursing, Alzheimer’s and dementia-related care, and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care to veterans, their spouses, and parents who have lost a child to war-time service. In 2008, the Home was awarded the Step II Award for Quality Achievement from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). To date, the Home is one of nearly 200 care facilities in the nation – and one of only two state veterans’ homes – to achieve this level of recognition.
7 out of 10 veterans have not accessed their federal VA benefits.
ARE YOU ONE OF THE SEVEN? IF SO, CALL A VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER (PAGE 15). TODAY'S VETERAN BENEFITS MAY SUPRISE YOU.
Up to the minute Oregon veteran news at www.oregondva.com OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS
oVH nameD one of tHe toP nursing Homes in oregon
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