Winter 2015 Vets News

oregon veteran news

WINTER 2015

Pages 6-7

Iwo Jima: To and from the Battle with an Oregon Sailor

VETS NEWS

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Oregon National Guard Soldier Staff Sgt. Steven Tessitore

AWARDED PURPLE HEART BY VA SECRETARY

PHOTO BY ROBERT SHIELDS

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald awards Staff Sgt. Steven Tessitore the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart medal during a ceremony Dec. 19 at the Center for the Intrepid, San Antonio, Texas. An infantryman assigned to the Oregon Army National Guard’s Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Tessitore suffered a gunshot wound to the throat Nov. 15, 2014 while on a Quick Reaction Force in Afghanistan.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

By Lori Newman, Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS – An Oregon National Guard soldier was presented both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald on December 19th. Staff Sgt. Steven Tessitore was so honored during a ceremony at the Center for the Intrepid.

lethal wound,” McDonald said. “By Nov. 19 he was communicating with friends, family and fellow Soldiers in Afghanistan. Apart from what that says about technology, think about what it says about our Soldiers – about their focus, their fortitude and their skill in life-saving first aid in the direst of circumstance.”

Brooke Army Medical Center Commander Col. Evan Renz hosted the ceremony, with Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld, Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also in attendance.

“Think what it says about all the surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff who attended to Sgt. Tessitore from the dirty, dusty streets of a faraway land to the pristine Brooke Army Medical Center.”

Tessitore, an infantryman with the Oregon Army National Guard’s Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, suffered a gunshot wound Nov. 15, 2014 while on a Quick Reaction Force in Afghanistan.

McDonald thanked Tessitore for his service and sacrifice, and promised that when it was time, the VA will be honored to care for him and his family, and “will provide all the services and benefits he has so richly earned.”

McDonald said he read Tessitore’s personal account of being wounded and the days that followed.

“He was shot in the throat, gravely wounded, and he received what he described as ‘the luckiest’

“It is heartwarming to see your family here today,” said McDonald who met with Tessitore and his family prior to the ceremony.

SEE TESSITORE - PAGE 4

american corporate partners One veteran's account of the American Corporate Partners program providing, one-on-one access to senior leadership in most industries for post 9/11 transitioning veterans. PG 5

oregon's unknown female spy Claire Phillips posed as a Filipina of Italian descent and club owner in Manila before being captured, imprisoned, and tortured by the Kempei Tai secret police. PG 9

vet family awarded mortgage-free home Wells Fargo donates house with $65,000 in upgrades and repairs to Oregon veteran family of five. PG 11

Director’s Message

Cameron Smith, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF THOSE BEFORE US With the range of stories in each Vets News, I am always struck by the breadth of our veterans’ community. Our service spans the ages and stretches around the globe.

Through the stories of Harlan Roth and Staff Sgt. Tessitore in this issue, we are reminded that 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.

Incredibly, as we head into 2015, we approach the 70th anniversary of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In researching our founding, we recently uncovered newspaper articles in our archives that capture the spirit of that time.

It reminded me of the famous Yogi Berra quote: “It’s déjà vu all over again.”

I am not suggesting that we have not made progress. We stand on the shoulders of all those who came before us, and through their leadership are immeasurably stronger in our support of veterans.

At the same time, the essential and timeless nature of the challenges and opportunities in serving returning veterans must guide our approach and efforts today.

ODVA Advisory Committee members (left to right): Gerard Lorang, Dennis Guthrie, Chair Al Herrera, Director Cameron Smith, Trisa Kelly, Ryan Howell, Mary J. Mayer, Tony García and Kevin Owens.

ODVA WELCOMES NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER

We must continue to maximize the Federal VA’s signifi cant benefi ts for our veterans. We also must have the humility to recognize that veteran services

For nearly 70 years, Oregon veterans have had volunteer advocates appointed by the governor to provide counsel to the director of the Oregon’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs about veterans’ issues and concerns.

Oregonians in 1945 were committed to stand up and serve returning veterans across diverse needs for their education, health, employment and housing.

Oregonians in 1945 were committed to stand up and serve returning veterans across diverse needs for their education, health, employment and housing. The federal government had signifi cantly expanded veteran benefits, but Oregon led the nation in recognizing the state, local and community role in supporting our veterans.

The support they envisioned included direct state benefi ts such as the veterans’ home loan as well as a network of experienced advocates in the County Veteran Service Offi ces. Oregonians also strived to better coordinate the sea of goodwill for veterans across community partners like national service organizations, colleges and universities, non-profi ts, faith-based organizations and private sector employers.

The pages were yellowing, but with a few changes in names and dates, these articles over seventy years old could just as easily have been written today and describe our current veteran landscape.

V ET S NEW S Vets News is a free quarterly publication. Each issue contains current information impacting veterans in Oregon including Federal VA topics and state, regional and local happenings. When credit is given to the source, Vets News articles may be reprinted.

Nicole Hoeft Mike Allegre Sarah Dressler Marc Huchette

Managing Editor / Production / Staff Writer Associate Editor / Staff Writer Production / Staff Writer / Copy Editing Production / Staff Writer

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Send your name and current address to ODVA, Vets News 700 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR 97301-1285

Phone

503-373-2389

Email

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 April 6, 2015.

Up to the minute Oregon veteran news at www.oregondva.com

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are not always about our direct programs as much as bringing our leadership, advocacy and strong partnerships to bear. Lastly, we must continue to tap into the natural strengths of our military, veterans and their families to connect and build sustainable resources and supports.

Over the past two years as director of ODVA, I am proud that we have assembled an incredible team, charted a course forward, leveraged resources, and begun to implement our strategic framework.

We will not over promise, but with your help, we will continue to creatively and measurably strengthen our efforts to honor and serve Oregon’s veterans. Together, we will ensure our next 70 years are as bright as the fi rst. Thank you for your continued support!

MEMORIAL DAY EVENT SUBMISSION If your community or organization is planning Memorial Day events and you would like to have them listed in the Spring edition of Vets News, please send that information to our staff no later than April 13.

The required information that is to be listed on the calendar should be brief and include: the city or location of the event, date(s), time(s), a brief description of the event, a contact person, their phone number and email.

Event information received after the April 13 deadline may not be included in the print version of Vets News.

The ODVA also will publish the events list online on the agency’s blog (www.oregondva.com) and will send the information in May to all media outlets statewide.

Send ODVA your Memorial Day event information by going online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/ EventSubmissions. 

The nine-member Oregon Veterans Advisory Committee brings diverse talents, backgrounds and experiences from every generation of veterans and communities across this state.

Tony García

The committee’s newest member, appointed in January, is an attorney and Oregon National Guard soldier. Tony García lives and works in Portland and is a deputy city attorney. Militarily, García serves on the Joint Staff for the Oregon National Guard responsible for domestic response and coordination with civil authorities.

While deployed to Iraq with Oregon’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2009, García served as the brigade’s Chief Trial Counsel. Previously, he served on active duty with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command at U.S. Army Garrison Schinnen in the Netherlands from 2010-11 where he operated a tax center and handled claims for and against the United States.

A graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Oregon Law School, García said he appreciates having the honor to serve on this committee and be able to bring a unique perspective as a veteran, Latino, and veteran-spouse.

“Right now Oregon has an opportunity to serve our veterans by helping them obtain access to federal programs, and connecting them with employers, and organizations that can use their talents and experience,” García said.

“The number of Latino veterans is also expected to double in the next 10 years, and I hope the committee takes an active step to respond to the changing demographics of our veterans. My military service has shaped only half of my experience,” he said. “The other half is my husband’s service with the Marine Corps Reserves and Oregon Guard with deployments to Korea, Nicaragua, Iraq and Afghanistan.”

The committee invites all Oregon veterans, their families and partners to attend and participate in their quarterly public meetings that are held across the state on the first Wednesday in March, June, September and December. More information about the advisory committee can be found online at www.oregon.gov/ odva/Pages/advisory.aspx. 

FORMER ODVA DIRECTOR, WWII VETERAN STARYL AUSTIN PASSES

A veteran of World War II and the Cold War, Austin was born in the small eastern Oregon town of Condon in 1920. His family would eventually move to Salem in 1929 where he later graduated Salem High School in 1938. He had developed a keen interest in flying and after Pearl Harbor was attacked he joined the Army Air Corps. He completed the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1942 as the United States was at war on two fronts.

After serving as a P-47 Thunderbolt instructor, he was assigned overseas and flew P-47s in the European Theatre of Operations. One of his more memorable missions was flying in support of the air cargo supply drops to Allied troops during the famed Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.

When an intense fog finally cleared after covering the Ardennes Forest in Belgium for days, Austin’s unit was one of the first to fly into that frigid battle zone.

Some of his early missions included sorties in the battle area around the heavily damaged city of Bastogne.

Austin’s unit was able to drive the enemy back and away from Allied soldiers. By war’s end, First Lt. Austin had completed 58 air to ground support combat missions.

During an interview in 2009 with ODVA, he said there was no dogfighting in his unit – the 373rd Fighter Group. “Those battles occurred at higher altitudes.

We strafed and destroyed anything that moved on the ground.”

Three months after V-E Day, he came home and married the love of his life, Jacqueline Judd. Within a year he joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

During the Korean War, Austin was recalled to active duty and stationed in France and Germany.

Oklahoma’s two fighter groups replaced Air Force flying units that had been deployed to Korea.

His military career brought him back home in 1953 where he would join the Oregon Air National Guard.

Eventually Austin took command of the 142nd Fighter Interceptor Group at Portland Air Base. He later was assigned as Oregon’s Air Officer at the State Military Department in Salem. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 1963 and became Oregon National Guard’s Deputy Adjutant General, a position he held for 17 years before retiring in September 1980.

Austin’s second career began in 1981 when he was appointed by Gov. Victor Atiyeh as ODVA’s director.

He took on the difficult challenge of restoring financial stability to the Veteran’s Home Loan program and succeeded in laying the foundation for today’s thriving ODVA. By 1984 he had again “retired” and was noted as having served in leadership positions under every governor from Paul Patterson to Victor Atiyeh. He remained active as a volunteer serving two fouryear terms on the Governor’s Veterans’ Advisory Committee, on the Board of Directors for the Veterans Care Centers of Oregon andlobbying the Legislature on behalf of Oregon veterans, the P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association and National Guard Association.

During his 40-year military career Austin was awarded the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and many other honors.

PHOTO ON FILE: ODVA

Following a distinguished career of military and public service, the former director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and retired Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Staryl C. Austin Jr., passed away on Jan. 1st in Salem after an extended illness.

He was 94.

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Staryl C. Austin, Jr.

In 2006, Gov. Ted Kulongoski presented a special Governor’s Commendation Award to Austin in recognition of more than 60 years of military and public service. He was inducted into the Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor, located at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, in 2007.

And for his long-time administrative and leadership skills as a Boy Scout volunteer at the district and council levels, he was awarded the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope awards for distinguished service.

Austin is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jacqueline, sons Steven and Andrew, daughter-in-law Kathy, grandsons Andrew Van Den Bos and Treyvor Austin, brother Charles, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 

MEMORY CARE THERAPY HELPING VET HOME RESIDENTS

By Dallas Swafford, Program Director, Oregon Veterans’ Home, The Dalles

Residents in the Memory Care unit at the Oregon Veterans’ Home (OVH) in The Dalles are now receiving a new therapy that is providing comfort and reducing the tension caused by the ailment.

The Home has added the Multi-Sensory Therapy Room for the express purpose of multi-sensory therapy that creates a therapeutic environment capable of providing high levels of stimuli to all the human senses (sight, smell, sound, audio and touch).

The room consists of a projector that projects soothing scenes accompanied by relaxing sounds, aroma therapy and a multitude of comforting objects which vary in texture and are stimulating to the touch.

Studies have shown that sensory therapy has proven effective in calming aggressive behavior and improving the mood of patients struggling with dementia. It is believed that this non-threatening environment offers gentle stimulation that reduces the tension in those who are affected with the ailment. As a result, therapists, medical staff and family members are more easily able to gain the trust and rapport of that individual.

In essence, the environment created by the MultiSensory Room relaxes the patient and increases their ability to bond with visiting family members and medical staff, increasing the likelihood of a positive experience for everyone.

The multi-colored therapeutic effects from the MultiSensory Therapy Room produce soothing stimuli for all human senses and relax patients suffering with dementia. (Photos by Dallas Swafford)

Early reports from nurses at the Home have been very positive and indicate the multi-sensory room will be a very useful option in treating residents diagnosed with advanced stages of dementia. The staff is especially pleased with the results experienced by residents who at times display aggressive behaviors brought

on by the effects of dementia, including reduction of psychotropic medicines in some of those residents after receiving the therapy.

If being in the room for a half hour each day helps a patient feel less fearful, less stressed, calmer and more relaxed, then the quality of that person's life has been increased that day.

The OVH is currently doing extensive data collection over an extended period of time to track how the multi-sensory room impacts the residents who use it. This will help to determine whether or not using the room results in a reduction of psychotropic medicines, a decline in aggressive behaviors, and the positive impact it has family members who spend time in the room with their loved ones.

When enough data is collected we will have a better understanding of how to implement best practices for multi-sensory therapy and fine tune the application to suit the needs of the veterans and their spouses diagnosed with dementia who currently call the OVH home.

Multi-sensory therapy does not reverse the progression of Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

However, the therapy is very goal oriented.

The room is a controlled environment, an oasis where patients feel safe and non-threatened. This is important, because many Alzheimer's patients cannot control their environment.

Increasing the quality of life for those who assuredly sacrificed for each of us by pledging their own life to defend freedom is a duty and honor shared by all who provide care to the veterans and the spouses living at the Oregon Veterans' Home.  WINTER 2015

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1: TESSITORE

“Our nation is indebted to you and we are also indebted to your family as well.”

Tessitore received the Bronze Star for “his outstanding performance, expertise and dedication to duty which greatly contributed to the success of the unit’s mission during combat operations.”

The Bronze Star medal is the fourth highest individual military award and the ninth-highest by order of precedence in the U.S. military. It may be awarded for acts of heroism, acts of merit or meritorious service in a combat zone.

The Purple Heart is the oldest U.S. military decoration in present use and the first American award made available to the common Soldier. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hand of the enemy.

“Nobody in their right mind wants a Purple Heart, and I find myself receiving one today against everything that I have ever wanted, but I appreciate it,” Tessitore said. “The only reason I am here today to receive this medal is because of my unit and how well they prepared, so on behalf of Bravo Company 2-162 and my entire battalion, thank you very much for taking care of me and for allowing me to be here today.” 

Your state veteran home loan benefit just got better.

Like $417,000 better and 4 homes better.

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me lco

hom

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To apply or to find out more about your qualifications, please call the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Home Loan Department at

888-673-8387 www.orvethomeloans.com 4

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STARTING AN ONLINE BUSINESS: A VETERAN’S PERSPECTIVE

By Rick Kuehn (Reprinted with permission)

Starting an online business is tricky. This goes double when your company doesn’t directly sell anything.

Almost everyone’s got a cool idea for something.

To bring your idea to fruition, you’ve got to devote time and money – a difficult decision when you aren’t Rick Kuehn totally sure if it will be profitable. It’s a big risk, just like starting any other business.

When I began brainstorming, I knew my first priority was going to be building something for military and Veterans – the community I know and love. I created a product that allows people to see which local companies will give a military or Veteran discount. It’s an idea which has been created by a handful of other companies and individuals. According to successful entrepreneurs, this is actually a good thing. The goal is to take an existing product or service, and do it better.

The greatest initial challenge was the technical aspect. People have some misconceptions about what it means to “make a website.” Due to the abundance of websites available, many folks imagine the process as some tricky version of PowerPoint: dragging, dropping, clicking until the thing just does what you want. This can be true with modern website templates, but not for custom ones. I had to configure servers, optimize databases, and write code until I was blue in the face.

Sometimes new entrepreneurs mistakenly believe they’ve done the “hard part” of creating an online business by bringing the idea. Sometimes they even ask programmers to work for free in exchange for a portion of ownership. Although they might find someone willing to do this, it’s extremely uncommon.

Programmers can be expensive, so the programmer would have to be fairly certain there’s going to be a big return on his or her investment. You’re much more likely to find a programmer by offering cash as payment.

and tell their friends about it. Although anything is possible, you must spend time to truly consider whether your product is “cool” enough that people will tell others about it.

If you’re going to sell multipurpose staplers, you better make sure you show up near the top of Google for a search like “buy multipurpose stapler”. This will require you to learn the principles of search engine optimization because people probably aren’t going to tell their friends about your multipurpose stapler, even if there’s a high market for them.

For many people, the third challenge is the easier of the bunch: creativity. I had to become creative, and I’m not naturally creative at all. It was difficult for me to understand the psychology behind what makes people react to different sizes, colors, and layouts.

After devoting time to learning the psychology of design, I re-did the website’s skin. This time feedback was much better.

Today, I’m proud to own an online business. I attribute its success to several sources I’m proud to share.

The Marine Corps taught me an exceptional level of discipline by not accepting mediocrity or defeat under any conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs provided me with the opportunity to attend college, where I learned the basics of programming.

With my business, I failed more times than I can count and I say that proudly! Every time I failed, I learned one more vital lesson to achieving success. If you’re feeling discouraged at lack of progress, you’re heading in the right direction. There are barriers any new entrepreneur will encounter, and those who persist will inevitably succeed. As Veterans, we’ve ascertained a distinct advantage in our determination and positive spirit. You can utilize your military experience to build something awesome.

Kuehn’s business can be found at www.gruntroll. com.  RICK’S TOP VETERAN ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCES POST-9/11 GI BILL

As you begin creating your online business, you’ll either need to fork out a bunch of money for a programmer or pick up a “development kit” and begin programming with fire in your eyes. If you choose the latter, you’ll spend several months trying, failing, and banging your head against a wall.

I used the GI Bill to get traction in my programming skills while continued learning on my own and studying entrepreneurship through other resources. This was the only official resource I ever took money from that boosted my business.

A higher percentage of people try and quit programming than USMC boot camp. Within 1-2 years, you’ll be proficient enough to build almost anything you can think of, but at that point, you’ll be the one with a big decision to make: go fetch a higher, predictable salary or spend your time building a risky idea. The technical aspect of creating an online business will eat the lesser-determined for breakfast.

The founder of Craigslist is a huge Veteran supporter. I received great advice from this network.

My second-largest challenge was figuring out exactly what people wanted. Initially, I thought I knew.

I examined other military discounts collectors, found things I could do better, and set out with a solid design philosophy in mind.

When I was done, I thought my company would explode like Facebook among the military community.

I was hilariously wrong. It attracted almost no interest, and for the life of me – I couldn’t figure out why. The exact lessons I learned couldn’t be covered in the scope of this article, but it required an unexpected degree of trial-and-error.

Over the following year, I performed several additional iterations of re-design until I finally began attracting the attention I wanted: buyout offers, daily visitors, partnership opportunities, and the attention of bigger companies.

On this note, I’m going to squash a common misconception: the belief people will love your business

CRAIGCONNECTS.ORG, BY CRAIG NEWMARK

ENTREPRENEUR.COM VETERAN SECTION

There are articles on everything from starting storefront franchises, to getting financing, to which skills Veterans have translate best to entrepreneurship and how to capitalize on them. I used Entrepreneur.com for advice, experience and learning.

VA.GOV IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESSUSA

BusinessUSA is similar to Entrepreneur because they have a plethora of information readily available if you’re willing to take the time to read and understand it.

SBA.GOV (SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION)

This website contained all the legal information I needed to know. Not only do they have layman’s explanations for specific scenarios, they provide valuable advice specific to Veterans.

Rick Kuehn served four years as a Radio Operator in 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines. He deployed to Iraq (2008) as security detail for EOD, followed by a second tour in Afghanistan (2009) as a member of Battalion JUMP. He completed more than 400 combat missions.

OREGONIAN IS OLDEST SURVIVING MOH RECIPIENT

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT HOEFT

An esteemed Oregon veteran is now recognized as being the oldest living recipient of the nation’s highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society reports that Robert Maxwell Robert Maxwell, 94, of Bend also is one of 79 surviving recipients of the medal for valor – a medal he earned more than 70 years ago.

SPC Hoeft enjoys a brief dismount from his crew-served weapon in convoy from Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait to Mosul, Iraq on May 15, 2003.

CORPORATE AND ACADEMIC LEADERS VOLUNTEER TO MENTOR VETERANS

By Matt Hoeft, Guest Contributor

It’s important to note that ACP’s Mentorship program is not a “jobs” program – the organization makes no promise of employment to veterans who complete the program or promise of assistance finding a job. What ACP does provide is 12 months of accountable, one-on-one access to senior leadership in most industries. I believe the career-long benefits a veteran protégé gains from this type of access and mentoring may exceed the immediate benefit of a short-term paycheck.

My ACP journey began by completing a simple online application at the American Corporate Partners website (www.acp-usa.org). Shortly afterwards, I received an email to interview with an ACP operations manager including several attachments detailing the program guidelines, a Career Assessment Questionnaire, copy of ACP’s Mentoring Handbook and itemized list of next steps.

Roughly two weeks after my initial online application, I was interviewed by phone to clarify my goals and motivations for pursuing an ACP mentorship, and to reiterate program expectations. My intake interview concluded with a commitment from my ACP manager to identify a mentor in banking – my target industry.

Just days later, I was introduced to my mentor – a senior banking executive with extensive experience in capital markets and investment banking.

My mentor is the type of person that I was unlikely to meet through any other means but by warm introduction, and ACP made it possible for me to spend the next year inundating him with every question imaginable: How would you evaluate my résumé? How do I know if I’m in the right industry for me? Do I have any business pursuing a career in banking at my age? What if I’m slightly fatter in person than in my social media profile pics? I was able to download all of my doubts and uncertainties about my professional prospects to my new mentor and he coached me through them all.

Using ACP’s Mentoring Handbook, my mentor

and I created a customized mentorship plan that put me through my paces in all areas of concern to me.

Over the next year, I learned to think of my résumé as not just a professional ‘table of contents’, but as a narrative I should actively seek to guide a reader through, highlighting my strengths – in private sector English – throughout. My mentor provided professional feedback on my presentation and critical thinking skills through monthly video conferencing.

I was introduced to key leaders in my target specialty in San Francisco and Chicago through informational interviews arranged by my mentor.

He also provided weekly and daily support as I embarked on many professional firsts related to our mentorship including opening a practice trading account, starting a blog, participating in recorded mock job inter views which my mentor reviewed, and preparing for the first of a series of examinations required to earn a challenging professional designation.

The medal was established in 1861 to give recognition to men who distinguished themselves “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity” in combat with an enemy of the United States. Since then 3,493 military members have received the medal. More than half of them received it for actions during the Civil War. Maxwell also is one of at least 17 Oregon residents,or Oregon “transplants” who are credited with having received the nation’s “highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.”

In 2007, the Oregon Legislature honored Maxwell with a special Medal of Honor license plate that denoted his status as a recipient. A former community college instructor, Maxwell continues to participate in parades and military related events. 

Our year together concluded with him extending an open-door invitation to stay connected and permission to add him as a professional reference.

One surprising benefit of having access to a mentor at that level was being able to learn what someone in his position doesn’t look like: the stereotyped aloof, banker persona with credentials that shan’t be duplicated by mere mortals. To the contrary, I learned that my mentor attended a respected state university on full athletic scholarship, earned his MBA at-a-distance while working full-time and earned an executive certificate in mergers and acquisitions – all things that most any reasonably motivated person can aspire to achieve.

He is a husband and a dad, like me, and he makes the best choices he can with the tradeoffs we all face.

Indeed, these are details I may not have learned were ACP a jobs program and my mentor was somewhere in my distant chain of command.

To learn more about American Corporate Partners and their programs, visit them at www.acp-usa.org.  Matt Hoeft served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Chemical Operations NCO with the Oregon Army National Guard and is currently completing his senior year of undergraduate economics study at Oregon State University. He’s glad to connect on LinkedIn at linkedin. com/in/matthoeft and Twitter @MattHoeft.

PHOTO BY MIKE ALLEGRE

American Corporate Partners is a non-profit organization that prepares Post 9/11 veterans to transition successfully to civilian careers through a cadre of volunteer corporate mentors that provide résumé advice, individual career guidance and extensive networking with leaders in a veteran’s target industry.

On Sept. 7, 1944, while serving with the U.S. Army in France during World War II, Maxwell helped fight off a German attack while armed only with a pistol. His medal citation read, in part, that when a German grenade was thrown at his squad, “Technician 5th Grade Maxwell unhesitatingly hurled himself squarely upon it, using his blanket and his unprotected body to absorb the full force of the explosion. This act of instantaneous heroism permanently maimed Technician 5th Grade Maxwell, but saved the lives of his comrades in arms.”

Oregon Medal of Honor recipient Bob Maxwell stands next to Gov. Ted Kulongoski and waves to the crowd during the World War II Memorial dedication on June 6, 2014.

WINTER 2015

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IWO JIMA TO AND FROM THE BATTLE WITH AN OREGON SAILOR Like so many young men his age following the outbreak of World War II, Harlan Roth wanted to do his part for the war effort. He was an anxious 18 yearold from the heartland of America, Hemingford, Neb., but his entry in military service was not immediate.

It was two years after graduating high school, while working in Denver, Colorado, that Roth received a “greetings” letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt instructing him to report to the military induction center. Since he didn’t want to serve in the Army, in June 1943, Roth raised his right hand and swore to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States and joined the Navy. Days later he was on a train bound for San Francisco.

He was going to be a sailor.

When he arrived Roth was shipped to Treasure Island to begin an accelerated U.S. Navy “boot camp.”

By July, Seaman Roth had successfully completed all requirements and was assigned to Patrol Force Headquarters in San Francisco. Through December, he was a busy sailor serving as a military messenger.

“I delivered everything from routine messages to official orders within the 12th Naval District all around the Bay Area.”

But, Roth’s delivery days on land were soon numbered and by January 1944, he was among 55 sailors that had been assigned to the newly built Ailanthus-class net laying ship, USS Lancewood (AN-48).

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Before being ordered to the south Pacific, Lancewood’s crew tended and repaired anti-submarine net lines in the Bay Area. In one area the nets stretched more than four miles from one end of the bay near the Golden Gate Bridge to the other. A large “gate,” nearly 100 yards wide, was tended by a Navy tug boat crew. The tug pulled the entry gate open and closed to allow ships to pass through.

“No enemy submarines ever entered the bay,” Roth recalled.

On Nov. 29, 1944, the 195-foot Lancewood was detached from the south naval district and sailed to Fort Hueneme, Calif. There she was loaded with two ship moorings (temporary ship docks), six 6-ton anchors, two “Peg top” buoys, 36 tons of chain, and two 15,000 pound concrete clumps.

With a new course now set, Lancewood and her crew began making way to the South Pacific and into the war zone.

Long before arriving off shore of any Pacific island, the ship and crew didn’t always experience smooth sailing while enroute to Hawaii. “On the way there we survived some high winds and very choppy seas combined with some heavy rain squalls. Those storms tossed us around pretty badly,” Roth said. “It was a real rough ride, but thankfully our cargo remained lashed down on the deck.”

Once Lancewood docked on the island of Oahu at Pearl Harbor, shore leave became the main attraction. Yet going ashore meant the “launches” had to travel through and around the thick oil floating atop the waters around Pearl Harbor. It was oil

By Mike Allegre

that was still seeping from the hulls of sunken ships including the USS Arizona.

Roth noted that several future history making ships also were in port including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. The new USS Missouri was moored on battleship row at Ford Island.

“As time went on, we all guessed that either Admirals Spruance or Halsey were preparing a task force to cover a major amphibious landing somewhere and soon.”

The sailor’s instincts were correct. Lancewood soon joined four more net tenders and other vessels that made up an armada of 32 ships steaming to the western Pacific in late January 1945. On board some of the LSTs (Landing, Ship Tank) were the 4th Marine Reserves. As part of the Navy’s “island hopping campaign” that had previously included battles at Saipan, Leyte Gulf, and the Philippines, this armada was enroute to Iwo Jima – an island located half way between the Caroline Islands and Tokyo.

Lancewood arrived just off shore at Iwo Jima on February 20 – a day after the Marines had landed.

“We watched as the shelling and the battle on the beaches raged on. We couldn’t see everything, but those brave Marines took a beating at times. I didn’t see the raising of the U.S flag on Mt. Suribachi on the 23rd, but we saw it flying afterwards.”

It was on the 21st when four Kamikaze pilots attacked ships near Lancewood. Roth recalls that parts of one plane hit his ship. By the 23rd, the day Marines had raised the U.S flag on Mt. Suribachi, Roth said he and other sailors on Lancewood were too busy to notice the event.

“We were clearing damaged landing craft and huge amounts of debris off of more than a half-mile stretch

of beach so they could get some badly needed supplies to the Marines. One guy looked and said they could see the American flag up on Suribachi. Later we looked up and saw that a bigger flag had been raised.”

Even today Roth remains proud of how they were able to clear that beach of all of the wreckage so the Marines could be resupplied with food, water, ammunition, and medical supplies.

The Navy commended the ship and her crew for making “a significant contribution to the success of the operation with its ability to remove wreckage from the beach thereby allowing access of badly needed supplies.”

A week later, while under continual enemy small arms fire from the island, Roth and his shipmates laid-down two fleet moorings that would eventually become a key element to the future flight operations on Iwo. By now, the Americans had taken two-thirds of the island, but it wasn’t until March 26th that the Marines declared the island “secured.”

The Navy’s SEABEES soon began clearing and expanding the airfield so American B-29 bombers and other aircraft could begin landing at Iwo. The moorings that previously had been laid down

by Lancewood’s sailors allowed a key strategically located refueling station to be established. U.S. aircraft could now refuel following missions between many of the Pacific islands or upon their return from bombing raids on Japan.

“When we’d laid those mooring we didn’t know we were building a gas station,” Roth said. “When those 300 B-29s from the first big raid on Japan returned and flew over us very low – just above the mastheads – to say thanks, they gave us a royal buzzing. I’ll never forget that.”

With their mission completed, Lancewood hoisted

her anchor at Iwo in mid-April with damage to her screw (propeller) that occurred during the salvage operation in February. Once the ship was repaired and out of dry dock on Guam, and following duty assignments there and on the island of Ulithi, Lancewood was underway in late-August on an historic voyage. She and her crew were now part of a group accompanying U.S. Navy vessels heading south to Yap Island.

The group arrived at Yap on September 2nd, which was the same day the historic ceremonial surrender by the Japanese Empire occurred onboard the battleship USS Missouri more than 700 miles away in Tokyo Bay, Japan. On September 4th, and with much less fanfare, Lancewood’s crew watched from a distance as representatives from the Japanese garrison from Yap Island came aboard their sister ship, USS Tilman, and surrendered.

“We didn’t see too much, but we were very close to where history also was being made.”

With the war now officially over, Lancewood sailed a course that included stops at Saipan, Midway, and Pearl Harbor before heading east to San Francisco.

As they passed under the Golden Gate Bridge on November 15th the crew realized it had been nearly one year to the day since they had sailed under that bridge enroute to battles that are now part of history.

“That majestic bridge was really a beautiful sight for all of us. I’ll never forget seeing that,” Roth said.

It was following the decommissioning of Lancewood in February 1946, that Roth was ordered to the naval base in Farragut, Idaho. Later, after being honorably discharged at the Bremerton Naval Base, Wash., he traveled to Silverton where his parents had relocated.

The following week he traveled to Denver, Colorado to visit friends. He also made a special purchase at a jewelry store.

During his first night back in Denver, Roth asked his long-time girlfriend Garnice, “Would you like a diamond ring to wear?” Garnice said she did and they were married in April. The couple later moved to Oregon in 1948 and have been residents ever since.

In 2005, 60 years had passed since Roth and his shipmates had been anchored off shore near Iwo Jima.

That year he made a return trip to the south Pacific aboard a cruise ship to see Iwo one more time. Before making a brief stop near the location where Lancewood had been anchored off shore in 1945, Roth saw another familiar land mass from the rail of the cruise ship.

“It was an odd feeling when I saw Miniami Jima before we arrived offshore near Iwo Jima,” Roth added.

“I saw the relationship of where I was and where I had been near Minami in 1945. The cruise ship was very close to the area where we’d been attacked by the Kamikazes. I sort of froze. It was very disturbing to me.”

On the isle of Saipan Roth’s tour group visited a large World War II memorial and museum. During a small ceremony to honor and recognize those who took part in that battle, an aide to the island’s governor presented medals and certificates of gratitude to more than 10 World War II veterans who made the trip.

“I told the aide that I hadn’t been there for any of the landings, but he said, ‘Iwo was close enough.’

They are still very grateful to us decades later because the Americans had freed them from Japanese rule.”

The Battle of Iwo Jima had raged for five weeks and now, 70 years after the battle only a handful of the survivors who took part in the attack in some way are alive today and can remember the horrendous fighting and the victory.

Harlan Roth still remembers. 

Excerpts in this story came from both ODVA’s book, 150 Years of Oregon’s Veterans, and Harlan Roth’s personal history book, My Career in the U.S. Navy, June 1943 – April 1946. Roth is 90 years old. He and his wife Garnice live in Beaverton, Ore.

While aboard a cruise ship in 2005 Harlan Roth returned to Iwo Jima. This photo was taken near the spot where he was in 1945.

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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. has the names of more than 58,000 Americans killed during the Vietnam War. To enhance the memorial, the Wall of Faces has volunteers nationwide who are working to locate and display photos of the absent dead.

The Wall of Faces is curated by the non-profit group that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, usually referred to simply as The Wall. The memorial fund is working to construct an education center that will incorporate the faces of those listed on the wall.

More than 38,000 photos have been gathered so far, and are now located on the memorial fund’s website: www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces. But roughly 20,000 more are needed.

Memorial fund volunteer Janna Hoehn is collecting and posting photos of the missing as she receives them. She has a list of names of Oregon casualties of that war whose faces aren’t included in the Wall of Faces. She asks that relatives or friends contact her with photos or information about any of the people on the list of missing.

Contact Hoehn by email at: neverforgotten2014@ gmail.com. She will accept both physical and electronic photos. 

CONSERVATORSHIP PROGRAM MANAGES FINANCIAL AFFAIRS The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Conservatorship Program serves veterans, their surviving spouses, minor children or helpless adult children of veterans, and dependent parents.

Professional Trust Officers assist Oregon veterans in managing their financial affairs and property while helping ease the burdens often associated with paying bills, collecting funds on debts owed to the veteran, corresponding with creditors, buying or selling realestate, or other investments.

Trust Officers are experts in Oregon law, administrative rules and veterans law and regulation.

Whenever possible they work closely with interested family members in planning for the welfare and best interest of the veteran, their spouse or dependent.

A conservator gains possession of all income and assets and establishes a personal budget and pays for care, personal needs, dependent support, property maintenance, etc., according to that budget. A conservator applies for all benefits for which the protected person may be eligible and invests or otherwise conserves unused funds.

An accounting of financial activities is submitted to the court, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, protected persons and others as required by law.

For a person with a substantial amount of income, assets or property, who is unable to manage his or her finances well enough to provide adequate care themselves, a conservator may be needed. Causes may include mental illness or deficiency, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs or controlled substances, disappearance or confinement, chronic intoxication, and helpless or minor children.

A petition asking for the appointment of a conservator may be submitted to a court by anyone interested in the estate, affairs or welfare of the person.

This includes parents, guardian, custodians or any person who would be adversely affected by lack of effective management of the property or affairs.

The court appoints a conservator and the order remains in effect until the person’s condition improves, age of majority is reached, or until death.

To learn more about the program, please contact ODVA's Conservatorship Program at 800-692-9666.  8

O R E G O N D E PA R T M E N T O F V E T E R A N S ' A F FA I R S

TRAINED SERVICE DOGS OFFER SUPPORT, COMFORT TO VETERANS WITH PTSD

By Mike Allegre

Every day in the United States about 22 veterans commit suicide. At the same time more than 3,200 dogs are euthanized.

A new study indicates that bringing veterans and trained service dogs together builds a trusting relationship that could improve symptoms of PTSD for veterans.

This study is welcome news for U.S. military veterans living with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For many, PTSD is like living in a trapped existence, struggling for survival and control of your own mind, and victimized by your own life experiences.

Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research began conducting a study in January 2014 to determine if trained service dogs could have positive and therapeutic effects on veterans suffering from various forms of emotional distress. While veterans’ benefits cover the cost of service dogs for physical disabilities, they do not cover the costs of dogs for mental health needs.

Many service or therapeutic companion dogs, that either have been rescued from shelters or are purebred Golden or Labrador Retrievers, are making a difference in many veterans’ lives. The hope is that if the clinical trial proves that these trained canines are effective in improving the mental health of veterans with PTSD, their veterans’ benefits could begin to cover the costs for the dog.

That preliminary study indicates that veterans with PTSD who have service dogs experience less severe symptoms of stress and depression, plus improved relationships and less substance abuse.

Through December 2014, 75 veterans have participated in the study, which includes surveys and interviews for both veterans who are wait-listed for service dogs and for those who currently have a service dog.

Carla Green, the lead researcher for Kaiser Permanente’s Pairing Assistance-Dogs With Soldiers (PAWS) study, shared the early results of the year-long study with Oregon legislators at the House Veterans Affairs Services committee meeting on December 9 at the State Capitol. Joy St. Peter with Joys of Living Assurance Dogs, a non-profit organization who participates in the study, brought a service dog intraining named Molly.

Several comments from those surveyed in that study include reports of fewer nightmares, reduced need for medications, improved sense of security, decrease in anxiety and overall quality of life improvements for the veterans and their caregivers.

According to a story in the Salem StatesmanJournal newspaper in December, Chris Hollett, 42, of Vancouver, Wash., suffered 13 years of panic attacks, nightmares and anxiety. He waited two and one-half years before he got Chief, a golden retriever, in April 2014 through Paws Assisting Veterans (PAVE), another non-profit organization participating in the study.

Hollett said he served in combat for 38 consecutive months in Haiti, Bosnia and East Africa. He has since gotten off his antipsychotic and antidepressant medications and has reduced his therapy visits from once or twice a week to once a month. He also is able to get out of the house more easily, even being able to volunteer at his children’s school.

“It’s completely changed my quality of life,” he said.

PAVE provides combat injured veterans suffering with PTSD, TBI, and affiliated physical disabilities with task trained medical service dogs. The support includes supplies, therapeutic group sessions, and natural treatment alternatives. The program delivers an all-around lifelong support system focusing on a more natural alternative to healing.

In partnership with Good Samaritans and

PetSmart, PAVE provided financial support for Chief.

Through the PAVE program every dog is individually task trained for their owner’s specific disability as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to PAVE, these canines are not simply obedience trained pets, emotional support animals, or therapy animals. The dogs that PAVE provides to veterans are true “service dogs” and are trained in specific tasks that help their owner with their disability.

Since the legislative hearing in December, ODVA employee Laurie Skillman has been a “puppy raiser” for Molly. They can be seen daily in Skillman’s office, in meetings, walking around the agency’s halls, and elsewhere around Salem. With a firm hand on the instructional leash, Skillman gradually guides Molly from basic obedience to special tasks and teaches the nine-month old puppy the initial skills that will eventually help her to assist veterans.

“I am teaching her to push the buttons for automatic doors, turn lights on and off using a light switch, open and close refrigerator doors and cabinet drawers, and pick up objects like keys, a wallet and a phone,” she said. “It’s impressive what Molly can do, but it’s a 24/7 commitment to be a puppy raiser because Molly needs to be exposed to everything and every place I go.”

Each veteran assists in the additional training of their own dog, which is required in psychiatric service dog training as no one can exactly replicate someone else’s symptoms, reactions, and body chemicals. This method, in-turn, creates a stronger bond between the veteran and their service dog, plus, it gives the veteran the exciting feeling of accomplishment as they were a major part of teaching their service dog.

Examples of such tasks are: waking the veteran from nightmares, reminders to take medications, physically interrupting panic attacks to stop it from escalating and then physically slowing the owner’s heart rate to bring anxiety level down, and relieving muscle pain caused by elevated stress and anxiety.

This study ended in December 2014, but Kaiser Permanente’s Mary Sawyers said published results of the study are expected later this year. The results that were presented at the legislative subcommittee hearing were preliminary.

Details about this study are at www.kpchr.org. To learn about Joys of Living Assistance Dogs and Helping Heroes, go to www.joydogs.com. And to sponsor a veteran for PAVE go to: www.pawsforveterans.com/ sponsor-a-veteran.html.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURIE SKILLMAN

PHOTOS OF VIETNAM WAR CAUSALITIES REQUESTED

ODVA’s Senior Policy Advisor Laurie Skillman and her service dog in-training, Molly.

OREGON'S FEMALE SPY: SINGER, SMUGGLER, POW, “GALLANT WOMAN”

Claire Phillips

Claire Maybelle Phillips grew up in Portland and attended Arleta Grade School and Franklin High School. A talented singer and stage actress, she performed with the Baker Stock Company and toured the Northwest.

He career took her to the Far East in the 1930’s, where she settled in the Philippines.

On the eve of World War II, Phillips was singing in a Manila nightclub where she met and fell in love with U.S. Army Sgt. John V. Phillips, 31st Infantry Regiment. After the Japanese attacked Hawaii and the Philippines in December, 1941, the couple retreated with Filipino-American forces (USAFFE) to Bataan, where the combined armies made a courageous fourmonth stand. After a jungle wedding, the two became separated shortly before the Allied surrender in April, 1942.

Sgt. Phillips was captured by Japanese soldiers and imprisoned in Cabanatuan Prison Camp, Philippines, where he and thousands of other American prisoners died of disease, malnutrition and mistreatment.

Claire returned to occupied Manila and, posing as a Filipina of Italian descent, opened “Club Tsubaki”, an upscale nightclub catering to enemy personnel. As singer/hostess "Dorothy Fuentes", a.k.a. High-Pockets, she entertained senior Japanese military officers.

Phillips and her hostesses cultivated their clients, plied them with drinks and coaxed out military intelligence which was sent to guerilla forces and relayed to U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters in Australia for use in the war effort.

Profits from the club bought precious medicine, food and clothing, which, smuggled through a guerilla network into Cabanatuan, Bilibid and other prisons, saved countless of sick and starving American soldiers.

After a resistance member under torture revealed Phillips’ true identity, she was arrested in May 1944

by Kempei Tai secret police and imprisoned in Fort Santiago, where she was tortured, tried and sentenced to death. How she escaped execution and survived without betraying her comrades, country or cause is just part of her remarkable story.

When she was finally liberated in a dramatic rescue by 1st Cavalry Texas Rangers during the battle for Manila on Feb. 10, 1945 she weighed just 85 pounds.

Phillips returned to Portland and wrote a memoir titled Manila Espionage. In an editorial, The Oregonian lauded her as “… a gallant woman.” In 1948, Phillips was presented the Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, by Maj. Gen. Mark Clark. The citation noted her “outstanding courage and marked resourcefulness...” citing her “…inspiring bravery and devotion to the cause of freedom…”

In 1950 Phillips, after being featured in the NBC show This Is Your Life, was presented with a new house in Beaverton by host Ralph Edwards. There were speeches given by Gov. Douglas McKay and Portland Mayor Dorothy McCullough Lee before more than 2,500 well-wishers. The next year a Hollywood feature film based on her wartime experiences, I Was an American Spy, starring Anne Dvorak, was released.

Phillips toured the country promoting the film. She also visited many hospitalized veterans and served as an officer of the Barbed Wire Club, a group of former military prisoners of war that became the American Ex-Prisoner of War (AXPOW) organization.

Phillips’ later years were marked by personal challenges, including PTSD stemming from enemy mistreatment. Oregon’s U.S. Senator Wayne Morse advocated for her, introducing legislation allowing her to seek compensation for funds spent to help prisoners during the war. A woman who lived boldly, she displayed compassion and concern for those in need, especially veterans.

Claire Phillips died unexpectedly in May 1960. She was only 52 years old. After her death the Portlander, who received America’s highest civilian honor for her audacious deeds and humanitarian acts, was quickly

PHOTO COURTESY OF SIG UNANDER

By Sig Unander (Reprinted with permission)

Claire Phillips was presented America’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, in 1946 by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Clark.

forgotten in the turbulent events of the 1960s.

Today no memorial or monument to Phillips graces the Rose City; no park, street or statue bears her name and no mention can be found in history books. Only in the Philippines is she memorialized. At the United States Embassy in Manila, the Claire Phillips Room commemorates her valor and service to the American and Philippine peoples.

The indomitable spirit and memory of Claire Phillips lives on in a dwindling number of American and Filipino ex-prisoners who owe her their lives and in the remarkable story she left behind. Her legacy is an example for future generations, a testament to patriots who cherish the commodity of freedom enough to risk everything for it.  Sig Unander is an author, filmmaker and public speaker in Cornelius, Oregon. He is writing a biography of Claire Phillips and organizing efforts to establish a memorial in Portland. Visit Unander’s website at www.sigunander. wordpress.com/about.

2014 FREE TAX ASSISTANCE OFFERED The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs are again offering free tax help for qualified taxpayers.

The VITA program offers free tax help to people who generally make $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Free tax help is also offered by TCE to all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations across the country. To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site, call 800-906-9887, or go to www.aarp.org/ money/taxes/aarp_taxaide.

MyFreeTaxes is operating the only free online tax preparation and filing assistance platform available in all 50 states and Washington D.C. It allows qualified veterans, active-duty military, their families and all other qualifying taxpayers, who earned $60,000 or less in 2014, to file both a federal and state tax return.

Visit the website: www.myfreetaxes.com.

The IRS is now accepting electronically filed tax returns and paper returns. Taxpayers are reminded that filing electronically is the most accurate and safest way to file a tax return, and it’s the fastest way to get a refund. Go to: www.irs.gov. 

Charitable Check-off benefiting veterans Through Oregon’s Charitable Check-off campaign, taxpayers may donate all or a portion of their state tax refund to the Oregon Veterans' Home or to help raise awareness and prevent veteran suicides.

On your Oregon Tax Form 40 enter the following codes to donate: Oregon Veterans' Homes is listed on Line 65.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Campaign can be written in as code 23.

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OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES 101st Airborne Division Assoc. of Oregon AFA Chapter 216 Air Force Sergeants Association Al Drenkha Alan England Albert Irwin Albert Powell Trust Alice Wilson American Legion Auxiliary Post 37 American Legion Auxiliary Post 67 American Legion Auxiliary Post 87 American Legion Auxiliary Post 150 American Legion Dept. of Oregon Auxiliary American Legion Post 19 American Legion Post 22 American Legion Post 74 American Legion Post 83 American Legion Post 87 American Legion Post 125 American Legion Post 126 AMVETS Auxiliary Post 2000 AMVETS Post 1776 Andrea Scott Annette Bamplin Arthur Carlson Ben and Anita Johnson Band of Brothers Beverly Bryant Bill Tidd Billie Hansen Bingo Committee Silverton lodge 2210 Bonnie Healy Brian Fast Calvin Halladay Cambia Health Foundation Carl Hughes Carolyn Self Catholic Daughters of America's Oregon State Court Celilo Chapter Cheri Austin Cherry City Quilters Chuck Meeker Cindy Johnson Clair Madison Colin Winkler COMOAA Connie Sue Schulenburg Dan Brophy Darlene Oldenstadt David and Diane Kalez Dean Brege Debbie Borjession Debra Buckner Delta Kappa Dennis Nicholas Diane Schelske Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Ch 5 Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Ch 25 Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Ch 42 Disabled American Veterans Ch 5 Don McAllister Donald and Patricia Emmons Donald Moore Donice Smith Donna Albee Donna Arnold Donna Champion

 OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES



You may also donate to the Veterans' Homes and other veteran programs online at www.oregon.gov/odva

10

Thank you to our 2014 Oregon Veterans' Home donors!

Dorothy Dalesky Dorothy Jurgenson Doug and Kim Monahan Dr. David Wehrly Edith Hickman Edwin Sather Elden Glein Elizabeth Myers Elks Lodge # 288 Emma Jean Smith Eric and Kathy Arnolds Eric Gregor Eugene and Cynthia Biboux Eugene Robertson Evelyne Hendrix Florence McCulley Flors Dallmus Francie Ellmers Fred Goebler Freda Wyss Gale Stickler Gary Champlain Gene and Cindy Biboux Gene Sjoberg George Arscott George Cranswick Get Wet for a Vet Gina Biehl Gordon Halsten Greg Kluever Gregory and Beth Kaser Hannah Nelson Harold and Karen Gigstad Harold Busby Harry McNab Heinz Family Reunion Henry Fuqua Ian Stewart Irv Fletcher J. Donald Ross J. Ryan Howell Jack Means James and Marion Crews James and Nancy Hawkins James Mowery Jane Nichols Jane Sabat Jay Larsen Jean Coles Jefferson County Senior Center Jeffery Ford Jenny Laduca Jerry Adair Joan Dugger John and Carol Hyatt John and Mary Rathbun John Birch John Bushong John Cameron John Meredith John Todd Jose Covarrubias Joshua Harrison Judy Makela Kathleen Blome Kathy Biles Kaye Annis Keith and Jerry Hanson

Keith Hanson Ken and Denise Foltz Ken and Lucille Peck Ken and Sue Rich Kenna Wood Kenneth and Arliss Rolph Kenneth Rolph Kim Miles Kirkwood Donavin Klea Epsy Knights of Columbus Korean War Veterans Association, Iron Triangle Kris Latimer Kristen Kier Kyler Kozacek L.B.Marr LAMOPH LaNae Harmsworth Lani Holgate Larry and Alice Cooper Larry Johnson Laura Kadelbach Laurie Balmuth Laverne Gustafson Leobardo Garibay Linda and Neil Umphress Linda Helget Lindy Escene Liz Myers Lois Vance Loretta Bryant Lori DeRosia Lynette Jones Mahesh Mudigonda Marine Corps League Detachment 881 Marisa Caldwell Marlene Krein Marlyn Bonacker Martin Fortin Marvin Wyman Mary Gifford Mary Watts Melvin and Laurie Sarina Meridian Environmental Michael and Judith Williams Michael Greer Military Officers Association of America - Oregon Council Chapter Military Officers Association of America - Portland Chapter Military Order of the Cooties Auxiliary Rimrock # 8 Military Order of the Cooties Pup Tent # 8 Molly Gholston Nan and Steve Forster Nancy Allsup Nanette Foster National Society Daughters of the Revolution - Celilo Chapter NE District Veterans Committee Nina Selby Noreen Rowe Norma Ostrander Odette Force Oregon County Veterans Service Officers Assoc.

Oregon State Air Force Association Oregon State Elks Association Oregon State Elks NE District Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association Oren and Linda Walker Pam Bush Parkdale Grange / OSU Extension Pat Gold

Pat McConnel Pat Quinn Patricia Bullock Patrick Ferguson Paul Burger Peggy Smith Peggy Warren Phil Szymkowicz Pinky Beymer Portland Fire Chief’s Association Preceptor Alpha Epsilion Sorority Quentin and Jean Smith Rachel Eastman Randal Beyers Randy Nicklous ReCycle America Alliance Richard and Annette Balleaux Rickreall Grange Hall # 671 Robert and James Lindsay Robert and Maria Bornheimer Robert Birge Robert Gerbi Robert Lee Robert Nicholas Robert Robinson Robert Shaw Robert Weiss Roberta Gonzalez Rocco and Anne Laraia Ron McHale Rose Cooley Russell McDonald Sally Kuenzi Sara Jane Williamson Sara Knight Sarah and Charles Lusardi Scott Anderson Sean Meiner Skyview Middle School Stanton and Addie Rickey Stephen Gracon Steve and Elyse Kassis Steven Covey Theresa and Sarah Thomas and Lawanda Heimbuger Thomas and Patricia Beegle Thomas and Virginia Hake Thomas Platt Tina Haynes Tina King Tom and Patty Elliott Tom and Wendy Heimburger Vernon Herrick Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 1833 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 5638 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 922 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1325 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1643 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1833 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3203 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4307 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4567 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4750 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Virginia Hake Virginia McKay Virginia Wood Walmart Walt Schuette Walter and Caroline Haniuk Wanda Mosegard Warren Dines William Chisolm William Clark Winfred Mitchell Yolanda Hermance

Another opportunity to donate.

Name ______________________________________________________________________________ Street Address _________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________________________________________________ I would like to donate in memory/honor of ____________________________________________________ I am donating $_____________



Please make checks payable to the Oregon Veterans' Home and mail to:

Oregon Veterans' Home, c/o ODVA, 700 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.

O R E G O N D E PA R T M E N T O F V E T E R A N S ' A F FA I R S

PHOTO BY COURTESY OF STATESMAN JOURNAL.

County Veteran Service Offices

Bernie Kronberger, left, and Joseph Lai, of Wells Fargo, present U.S. Army veteran Paul McLane and his family a key to their new home on Dec. 17 in Dallas. The house was donated by Wells Fargo through the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

VET FAMILY AWARDED MORTGAGE-FREE HOME

By Capi Lynn (Reprinted with permission from the Statesman Journal)

SALEM – Three young children let out squeals of delight as they sprinted from room to room, as if they had been cooped up in a small apartment for far too long.

So what do they like most about their new house?

“All of it!” 6-year-old Shana shouted.

Her brother, 7-year-old Jonathan, pointed at the automatic ice and water dispenser on the refrigerator door. He was parched after checking out every inch of the 1,489-square-foot space in record time.

Their parents, Paul and Candie McLane, seemed a bit overwhelmed after being handed the keys to a newly renovated, three-bedroom, twobathroom home in Dallas.

Wells Fargo donated the house through its partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to service members wounded in combat.

“What you guys are doing is so amazing,” said McLane, an Army veteran who served with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sgt. Ronald Paul McLane was in Iraq, traveling in a convoy on June 11, 2008, when an improvised explosive device exploded as his vehicle passed. He was in the gunner’s hatch and took the brunt of the blast, suffering injuries to his head, back and legs.

He said he returned to duty within four days, but his injuries lingered and were more severe than originally thought. McLane was medically discharged in 2010.

He struggled financially after getting out of the Army, went through bankruptcy, and admitted the dream of owning a house had all but faded. He can no longer work and is on disability, and his wife recently quit her job to help care for the children, the youngest of which is 3.

McLane, who graduated from South Salem High School in 2000, learned about the Military Warriors Support Foundation and its Homes 4 Wounded Heroes program through a battle buddy who was awarded a home in Oklahoma. Veterans who have been wounded in combat and have never owned a home are eligible for the program.

“This is their dream,” said Brooke Gross, Paul’s

mother. “They couldn’t have done it without the foundation. I’m so happy for them. I know Paul is very grateful to everybody.”

All that the McLanes will be financially responsible for are future property taxes and insurance. The foundation also provides three years of financial mentoring for each recipient.

“We want to be sure they get off to a good start,” said Toni Carrigan, who drove from Seattle for the presentation and is a program manager for the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

The foundation has awarded 610 homes nationwide to date. This is No. 7 in Oregon, and two other projects are in the works, including one in south Salem.

Wells Fargo not only donated this house, but also paid $65,000 for renovations and repairs, including new roof, new carpet, new stainless steel appliances, and a new deck. The interior also was painted and landscaping was done.

Since January 2013, Wells Fargo has donated 199 homes valued at more than $30 million that have been awarded to veterans. The properties have come through foreclosure sales or deed-inlieu transfers.

The house for the McLanes is one of six donated just this past week by Wells Fargo. Other presentations took place in California, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Pennsylvania.

“To be able to put six families in homes at the holidays is great,” Joseph Lai, area manager at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage said while the McLanes were exploring theirs.

The house has an attached two-car garage and a large fenced yard. There’s a basketball hoop in the driveway and a hot tub on the deck, even a dog house for the family dog, Sadie.

Also moving in is their bunny, Princess, and two parakeets who don’t have names.

The humans are especially looking forward to the spaciousness after living in a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment for the past two years. They hope to finish moving in this weekend, nearly three months after finding out they were getting the home.

“It’s been worth waiting for,” McLane said. 

Baker ..................... 541-523‑8223 Rick Gloria Benton .................. 541-758-1595 Mary Newman Clackamas ............ 503-650-5631 Janice Tayfoya

www.clackamascvso.com Clatsop .................. 503-791-9983 Luke Thomas Columbia ............... 503-366-6580 Russell Clark

www.columbiacvso.com Coos....................... 541-396‑3121, Ext. 362 Eric Gleason Crook...................... 541-447‑5304 Angela Gilley Curry ...................... 866-298-0404 Tony Vouda

www.currycvso.com Deschutes ............. 541-385‑3214 Keith Macnamara Douglas ................. 541-440‑4219 Pat Plouard Gilliam ................... 541-384-6712 Bryan Hunt

www.tricountyvso.com Grant ..................... 541-575‑1631 Bob Muenchausen

www.grantcvso.com Harney.................... 541-573-1342 Guy McKay

www.harneycvso.com Hood River ............ 541-386-1080 Les Logsdon Jackson ................. 541-774-8214 Bob Carson Jefferson ............... 541-475-5228 Tom Weiss Josephine............... 541-474-5454 Lisa Shipley

www.josephinecvso.com Klamath ................ 541-883‑4274 Kathy Pierce

www.klamathcvso.com Lake ...................... 541-947‑6043 Charles Pike

www.lakecvso.com Lane ...................... 541-682‑4191 Joseph Reiley

www.lanecvso.com Lincoln .................. 541-574-6955 John Reed Linn ....................... 800-319-3882 Kim Grooms Malheur ................ 541-889‑6649 Connie Tanaka Marion.................... 503-373-2085 ODVA

www.marionpolkcvso.com Morrow .................. 541-922-6420 Linda Skendzel Multnomah ........... 503-988‑8387 Katie Pereault Polk ....................... 503-373-2085 ODVA

www.marionpolkcvso.com Sherman ............... 541-565-3408 Bryan Hunt

www.tricountyvso.com Tillamook .............. 503-842-4358 Bill Hatton

www.tillamookcvso.com Umatilla ................. 541-278‑5482 Stan Getz

www.umatillacvso.com Union ..................... 541-962‑8802 Byron Whipple

www.unioncvso.com Wallowa.................. 541-426‑3155, Ext. 241 Charlie Neveau Wasco ................... 541-506-2502 Russell Jones Washington ........... 503-846-3060 Vicki Horn

www.washingtoncvso.com Wheeler.................. 541-763-3032 Bryan Hunt

www.tricountyvso.com Yamhill .................. 503-434‑7503 Jerry Wilson

www.yamhillcvso.com

Advisory Committee to the ODVA Since the Advisory Committee was established in 1945, it has held a distinct and fundamental role as advisors to the Director of ODVA. Advisory Committee members include: Tony García Dennis G. Guthrie Al Herrera , Chair

J. Ryan Howell Michael Jones Trisa E. Kelly

Gerard F. Lorang Mary J. Mayer Kevin J. Owens

To contact the Advisory Committee, please email vaac@odva.state.or.us or call 503-373-2383.

Public Meetings of the Advisory Committee to the ODVA

March 4, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Lebanon Oregon Veterans' Home 600 North 5th Street, Lebanon Meetings of the Advisory Committee are public meetings held quarterly.

Please contact 503-373-2383 for more information or connect online at www.oregon.gov/odva/Pages/advisory.aspx. Special needs will be met for those who have a disability.

Connect with ODVA Benefits, Services and News Statewide Veteran Services (Salem) .................. 503-373-2085 Statewide Veteran Services (Portland) .............. 503-412-4777 Home Loans......................................................... 888-673-8387 Oregon Veterans' Home (The Dalles)................. 541-296-7190 Oregon Veterans' Home (Lebanon)..................... 541-497-7265 Conservatorship Services.................................... 503-373-2391 Website and E-subscribe to Info......................... www.oregon.gov/odva Facebook.............................................................. www.facebook.com/odvavet Blog....................................................................... www.oregondva.com WINTER 2015

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