December 23, 2009 | katu.com
More than $61,000 was raised in a KATU and Family Matters telethon to bring soldiers home.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, December 15, 2009

www.owva.org
Greg@owva.org
Nellie@owva.org

Salem, Ore. - Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) in conjunction with KATU, Channel 2 TV raised enough money needed to bring the stranded National Guard Troops home for the holidays on Thursday, December 10, 2009.

Nearly one thousand people called into the KATU broadcast station during the OWVA “Save Christmas/Airlift” telethon last week raising more than $61,000.00. The funds purchased plane tickets for 105 stranded Oregon National Guard (ORNG) Troops, whose deployment to Afghanistan was delayed during the holidays.

The $20,000.00 over the amount actually needed for the Airlift Project will be used to send 35 disabled ORNG troops and a family member to the Paralympics in Vancouver, BC next year.

OWVA raised nearly $20,000 within the first two hours of the telethon. KATU’s Carolyn Morgan told volunteers that “we have never seen such a tremendous response for any other cause. This is very exciting.” Anna Song, KATU reporter who was first to carry the story to the public came in during the telethon and was amazed at the level of support. She told the volunteers that she was “blessed” to be part of the solution, and was inspired by the generosity of the donors.

During the telethon OWVA’s director, Greg Warnock, told KATU viewers, “I am humbled to be involved with projects like these- to be part of the solution of such overwhelming problems. The generosity of Oregonians from all over the State affirms my belief that people really want to help our troops.” Warnock added, “Being a seasoned charity that has a great reputation of getting the job done makes a difference, I think, on how generous people are with us.”

What’s next? OWVA knows that there will be many more causes which need public attention and support, and plan to be involved as much as possible. Donations are still being taken online for OWVA’s other charitable projects. They are also trying to raise $30,000 for the OWVA/ORG emergency fund, which helps individual families who have no other resources for things like food, housing, utility payments and emergency transportation.

To make a generous donation to OWVA’s charitable projects, donors can make tax deductible contributions in the following three ways:

1. Online with a credit card of check card to www.owva.org/donate
2. Direct deposit to ANY US Bank branch to the Oregon War Veterans Association/ORNG (account ending in #5051)
3. Mail a check to PO Box 8043, Salem, OR 97303

OWVA thanks you for your continued support.

News Release- For Urgent Release

Contact: Greg Warnock
www.owva.org
greg@owva.org

December 9, 2009

Salem, Ore- Many of the news organizations in Oregon have been reporting the dilemma, regarding the 105 (not 95) Oregon national Guard Troops who are stranded in Wisconsin, for the holidays, and want to come home for Christmas.

Late last week, Brigadier General Mike Caldwell called Greg Warnock, from the Oregon War Veterans Association and asked for his assistance to bring "a bunch of Soldiers from the Guard home for Christmas." Warnock agreed to go to the public for assistance, since they are a charitable organization and focus on meeting the needs of Veterans, military families and members of the military.

The service-members were mobilized to Wisconsin for training, and eventual service in Afghanistan, but the deployment was delayed until after Christmas. They were supposed to be deployed by now, but there was a problem receiving them at their forward base, so they are stuck in the States for Christmas. They want to come home to their families, since they have the opportunity before their dangerous deployment- diffusing IED's in Afghanistan.

Warnock has been reporting the status of the fundraising on air with several radio stations and TV news programs. KATU, Channel 2 will be hosting a telethon for this effort on Thursday, December 10th all day, beginning at 6:00 AM. "To date, we have raised $11,000 of the $40,000 needed," he said.

OWVA plans to raise $30,000.00 on air during the telethon to finish paying for airline tickets for the stranded troops and reimburse the families who spent their house payments and plans for Christmas on unexpected costs associated with bringing their Soldiers home.

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to help the troops in this way, and have enjoyed sharing this project with the general public," reported Warnock to a local radio station earlier today. He continued by saying, "Oregonians are very generous, no matter how they feel about the war, and always find a way to help, even if it with a $5.00 donation. What better way to say 'thank you' than by bringing families together for the holidays?"

OWVA needs cash contributions for this problem. All of their efforts to use Frequent Flyer Miles or charter a private jet, or every other conceivable option have been exhausted. While frequent flyer mile (FFM) donations seemed like a great way to fix this, the charitable donation facility for them was not in place early enough to utilize them. OWVA will set up a charitable FFM program in the future- for later transportation problems.

The fastest way for people to make a tax deductible donation available to OWVA is by making a deposit directly to their bank account: USBANK, Oregon War Veterans Association/ORNG, ending in #5051. Deposits can be made at ANY USBank branch.

(Email OWVA with your name, address, and amount donated, for a tax deduction receipt, if you make a direct deposit.)

Deductible contributions can also be made online at http://www.owva.org/donate , or by sending a check to:

OWVA
PO Box 8043
Salem, OR 97303

Please be generous- and quickly!

**If OWVA raises all $40,000 needed for this project, all additional funds will be used to send 35 disabled (lost limbs) Oregon National Guard Members to the Paralympics in Vancouver, WA early next year. Funds over the $20,000 needed for this project will go to the OWVA/ORNG emergency fund.

News Release-Urgent

Contact: Greg Warnock
greg@owva.org
www.owva.org

Salem, Ore- Last Friday, Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) went to the public via the news media asking people to help get 94 Oregon National Guard Soldiers home for Christmas. The Soldier’s deployment to Afghanistan has been delayed and the base they are at is shutting down for the holidays, so they have an unusual opportunity to come home for Christmas.

“Since this project didn’t start until late Friday afternoon, we have not raised much money yet. Only $2,500.00 of the $40,000.00 asked for came in over the weekend, reported Greg Warnock OWVA’s director. “Our treasurer will transfer money from website donations later today, so we’ll know then how much money has been raised online.“

Several people have contacted OWVA, after Anna Song reported the story on KATU Channel 2 News last night, to see if they can donate frequent flyer miles or airline “buddy tickets” to the group. “We are looking at all options, and will have our plan ready by Wednesday this week, “said Warnock to a donor earlier today.

OWVA is asking people who have frequent flyer miles to donate, to contact them via email with their contact information. They will then contact the donors by Wednesday afternoon, if they can put together a program for the Soldiers using these miles. *Please login to OWVA’s site at www.owva.org to notify them if you have miles to donate, or to see what other ways to help get the Soldiers home.

As of late Sunday evening, all but 25 Oregon National Guard (ORNG) members had been able to find a ride home. But, many of them with young families spent their house and utility payments, or Christmas budgets to fly their Soldiers home for this unexpected leave. OWVA has set up a triage plan with the General Staff of the ORNG and their Commander to try to get the remaining Soldiers home, and help relieve the costs of the tickets that the others purchased. Soldiers who simply cannot afford to get their own tickets will be covered first, with the lower ranking personnel with families getting second priority for possible reimbursement assistance.

Warnock told a group of families today, “believe me, we are trying to do everything we can- from buying remaining tickets outright, to hiring a charter, to adding cars to Amtrak, to using FF Miles, etc. Whatever we do is going to cost money in the end, so we are still asking for donations for this project. Our options are running out, though, and the cost of available tickets is going up by the hour.” He also reminded them that, “We are relying on the generosity of Oregonians to help us.”
There three ways to make a charitable donation for this project:

1. Go online to www.OWVA.org, and click on the donate button at the top of the page.
2. Deposit at any branch at US Bank to Oregon War Veterans Association/ORNG account ending in 5051.
3. Mail a check to OWVA, PO Box 8043, Salem, OR 97303 (memo: “save Christmas”)

*If you have access to a large amount of Frequent Flyer Miles, please send OWVA an email with your contact info- to greg@OWVA.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2009

Information:
Greg Warnock
greg@owva.org

Oregon National Guard Soldiers Stranded for Christmas

Salem, Ore. - Brigadier General Mike Caldwell, the deputy director of the Oregon Military Department/Oregon National Guard (ORNG) asked the Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) to help provide transportation for 94 members of the ORNG, from Dallas, Oregon who will be stranded in Wisconsin for the holidays.

“OWVA has proven to be a valuable resource to the Oregon National Guard, providing goods and services to help to eliminate stress to our soldiers and their families by always offering a helping hand wherever and whenever possible," said BG Caldwell during a media conference today. “I asked for their help because the public knows them and supports their efforts to help our troops.”

With gigantic budget cuts affecting ORNG they simply do not have the funds to bring these veterans home for the holidays. The unit is currently at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for explosive disarming and disposal training. They deploy to Afghanistan right after Christmas for more than a year of the dangerous duty of defusing explosive devices.

Fort McCoy will be shutting down operations from December 22-27, leaving Oregon troops stranded during the holidays. Now that the troops have the opportunity they wish to return home one last time before their deployment.

With your support, OWVA needs to locate and pay for a charter plane to help with this project. OWVA is also asking several of the organizations in Oregon who have their own airplanes to assist in this effort, but fuel and expenses still need funding.

There are only a few days remaining to raise the $40,000 required to fly our troops home for Christmas before their deployment.

Please find it in your hearts to help OWVA bring Oregon’s veterans home.

Three ways to make a charitable donation for this project:

1. Go online to www.OWVA.org, and click on the donate button.
2. Deposit at any branch at US Bank to Oregon War Veterans Association/ORNG account ending in 5051.
3. Mail a check to OWVA, PO Box 8043, Salem, OR 97303 (memo: “save Christmas”)

**All funds over the amount needed will be used toward sending Oregon’s veterans who have lost limbs and want to compete in the Para-Olympics in January to Vancouver, BC in January.

May 30, 2009


Salem, Oregon—The Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) worked with others to pass a bill that designates the U.S. Highway 97 in Oregon as the World War II Veterans Historic Highway. SB 449 passed the House unanimously Thursday.

“The passage of this bill is a huge victory,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of OWVA. “Oregonians often forget the history behind World War II, the war that played a major role in central Oregon. This bill will place plaques along the highway with facts and reminders of those that fought for our country.”

The signage will be paid for by veteran groups and will be organized by the US Highway 97 WWII Veterans Historic Highway Committee, chaired by Dick Tobiason, LTC US Army Retired, of Bend Oregon. The Committee first promoted the idea of the historical highway in 2005. The Vice Chair of the committee, Mr. Bob Maxwell, the only surviving Metal of Honor recipient in living in Oregon, attended the House Floor Session and watched SB 449 become reality.

Also occurring this week, SB 731B passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Consumer Affairs. This important legislation will help disabled veterans better protect their disability pensions from illegal collections. SB 731B implements the policy and principle behind state and federal exemption laws by ensuring that protection is offered up front, at the bank account level, rather than requiring an expensive and delayed court hearing. OWVA joined the Oregon Law Center, and Ms. Sybil Hebb on this legislation soon after her organization drafted it, and made it a priority bill for 2009.

SB 731B is expected to land on the House floor this Tuesday for a vote. OWVA is writing a Floor Letter to all of the Representatives in support of the bill.

For more information, contact:

Nellie deVries
Public Affairs
Nellie@owva.org
541.601.7272

May 22, 2009

The VIP Discount Card Program, which allows consumers to save money at their favorite restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and attractions, has partnered with the Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) this Memorial Day weekend. The program will donate 25% of their direct card sales to OWVA's charitable projects. OWVA is currently helping families of deployed National Guard troops with emergency funding relating to medical and housing issues.

"VIP's contributions are especially helpful during the beginning of this National Guard deployment, as the recession has impacted the families harder than normal,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of the Oregon War Veterans Association. “We are very excited about VIP's decision to support our charities. I want to take this opportunity to encourage those of you in Salem this weekend to support Oregon’s Veterans."

Individuals may buy the discount cards in front of Walmart (Turner Road, in Salem) throughout the weekend.

Please check out the VIP Website at: http://www.getyourvip.com/

May 21, 2009

Salem, Oregon—Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) urges a "do pass" recommendation on the SB 731A version of the bill that is now in the House Committee on Consumer Protection. This important legislation will help disabled veterans better protect their disability pensions from illegal collections. SB 731A implements the policy and principle behind state and federal exemption laws by ensuring that protection is offered up front, at the bank account level, rather than requiring an expensive and delayed court hearing.

OWVA's director, Greg Warnock, told a group of OWVA supporters on Wednesday that some legislators feel that the banks have had a difficult time trying to understand regulations regarding funds that are exempt from garnishments. They feel that the burden to help their disabled customers is too great.

Warnock, who is a former banker with US Bank, provided public testimony and said, "Banks and Credit Unions are not burdened at all by protecting legally exempt funds from garnishment, especially when affidavits of the protected funds are on file, and when additional fees have been paid to help the banks process the necessary forms. Frankly, most banks and credit unions prefer to bend over backward for their disabled veteran customers, instead of supporting illegal debt collections."

OWVA put off an amendment to SB731 to fine institutions which violate the rights of disabled veterans on the illegal garnishment issue. This decision was a compromise to see the bill get through this year's session as it is currently written.

"We have all compromised enough on this legislation, and it is time to move the bill forward," Warnock said.

May 11, 2009

Salem, Oregon—House Bill 2303 was signed into law on Friday, sending a loud signal to creditors who abuse Oregon's military families. The law now requires financial institutions to conform to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) laws, and special federal rights held by service members.

The passage of this law is a result of the efforts of strong lobby support of the Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA), the Oregon State Bar's (OSB) Military Assistance Panel, Salem Attorney Jess Barton, Portland Attorney Mike Mendelson, and Brigadier General Mike Caldwell, Deputy Director of the Oregon Military Department who gave much support during the legislative hearings.

The law is affectionately now known by advocates as the "Linscott Law" named after Oregonian Maj. Jeff Linscott, a Marine veteran who paid more than $100,000 of his own funds to fight creditors who challenged his Federal SCRA rights in court.

SCRA laws are supposed to keep creditors from foreclosing on loans, practicing predatory practices, or adjusting interest rates against activated military members. But, have been no teeth in the laws to prevent creditors from threatening military families from paying high court costs to enforce the law.

The Linscott Law will now allow military families to sue creditors for attorney fees and court costs, which means that they can now defend themselves against illegal actions and predator lenders. The new law may actually be duplicated by other States as well, who want protections for Servicemembers.

Last year, Jess Barton who serves as Associate Legal Counsel for OWVA and a member of the Military Assistance Panel told OWVA's directors that, "Some creditors prey on deployed military personnel, even after they hear of their federal rights for relief, because they cannot defend themselves while in Iraq or Afghanistan."

"Most lenders comply with the law, but the ones who do not are particularly aggressive, since there has been no recourse against them. Now we will fight them back in court," said Greg Warnock, OWVA's executive director, in a conversation with Linscott on Friday.

OWVA developed legislative sponsors and key support for the bill, and gave testimony about its merit to deployed families. OWVA initially added a penalty amendment that would fine violators $10,000 per incident. This would give the legislation additional "teeth" because systematic violators should be punished for their abuses over and above the fees a court may award.

"By keeping the penalty clauses out of the bill, however, we hoped to show the Judiciary Committees and the financial institution advocates that we were willing to compromise, so conforming financial institutions wouldn't feel threatened." said Jess Barton. "The penalty amendment was worth compromising to assure that the bill would be passed and federal laws will be upheld. The Linscott Law is a tremendous victory for Oregon's military families.

Jess Barton may be reached by email (jessbarton@msn.com ) for additional comments or legal advice regarding the new law.