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Welcome to the official Oregon War Veterans Association(OWVA) website!
The purpose of this site is to help OWVA carry out its charitable purposes.
OWVA is uniquely positioned to make an impact in our communities and veteran's lives in ways different from other veteran organizations. OWVA ‘s leadership has used, and will continue to use every opportunity to leverage to assist veterans and veteran organizations, as well as Active Service Members and their families in building a better future for all who have served in our country's military services.
As military family and veteran advocates, OWVA is involved in many efforts to support our clients and members. We frequently work directly with senior members of the Oregon National Guard, Reintegration Teams, Family Resource Groups, and family assistance personnel, as well as combining or efforts with other support agencies and organizations- all to make a real difference in the lives of those who serve us in the military.
Greg Warnock
Executive Director
Charitable Projects
OWVA is well known in Oregon for its very public support of our troops and vets. One of our most well known projects was the "Save Christmas Project," where we raised the funds to send 45 pallets of donated "comfort items" to Oregon Troops in Afghanistan in 2006.
We have partnered with radio and TV programs and personalities to help educate the public on military family problems in Oregon, and have raised nearly $1,000,000.00 for our charitable projects since 2002.
This month (May 2009), 3,200 Oregon Troops are being sent to Iraq, in the largest deployment of Oregon Troops since WWII. This 12-14 month deployment is particularly difficult since we are in a recession, with an unemployment rate of 12%. Our military families are truly suffering, not just from being separated with loved ones, but from financial hardships as well.
OWVA has established a fund to help our military families, and works directly with the Oregon National Guard leadership to sort out and assist families who need the most help. We frequently provide funds for funeral support, emergency health care, housing expenses, and transportation solutions.
During the past two months, OWVA received calls and requests for more than $30,000 in emergency funds, from organizations that help military families and veterans in Oregon, in preparation of the huge deployment to Iraq. We paid for house rents, so families wouldn't be evicted before the deployment. We provided resources for pediatric care for a deployed soldier's family, and financially intervened for a disabled vet who was hospitalized and couldn't pay his housing costs.
Legislation
Another important responsibility of OWVA is the development and advocacy of legislation that helps our military families and veterans. We are active lobbyists for issues that affect our clients and families. We also openly help elect officials who support our critical issues (bi-partisan assistance).
In 2007, OWVA wrote and saw passed legislation that gave incentives to health care providers who care for military families. We also passed laws giving up to $6,000.00 in tax deductions for every National Guard and Reservists, as well as for employees of the Oregon Youth Challenge Program.
This year, we just saw signed into law HB2303, which protects the federal rights of military families from predator creditors and collectors, which is just one bill of the 12 bills we wrote or helped write this session.
How can you help?
Charitable Donations
OWVA is a charitable, war veteran's membership association. Contributions to OWVA are generally tax deductible, in accordance with IRC 501(c)(19) rules. Please send your donation of any amount to:
OWVA
PO Box 8043
Salem, OR 973003
OR
Feel free to send a payment through our website's donation center. >>>Click Here
If you are interested in an alternative donation, by giving a tax creditable donation through the Oregon PAC Tax Credit Program, please check out this page for more information: >>>Click Here
OWVA Settles Maxwell Case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2010
For more Information:
Jess Barton
jessbarton@msn.com
Monmouth, Ore. - Last week, Jeffery Maxwell, the Marine arrested for carrying a large-sized folding knife and on campus was permanently readmitted in good standing as a Western Oregon University (WOU). The settlement between Maxwell and WOU provides that he is free to attend any state institution of his choosing.
In January 2009, Jeffrey Maxwell, was arrested for carrying a large-sized folding knife on a university campus. He attended WOU under the GI Bill with a 4.0 GPA. When asked if he had any other weapons, Maxwell explained that he had a concealed-weapon permit and had a two-shot .22 caliber derringer in his pocket and an unloaded rifle in his truck. Monmouth police cited Maxwell for the crime of carrying a concealed weapon and released him. Later, Polk County District Attorney Stan Butterfield dismissed the charge because Maxwell had a valid concealed-carry permit.
WOU brought a disciplinary action against Maxwell for carrying a knife on campus, seeking his suspension from the university. WOU’s Student Conduct Committee ordered Maxwell’s suspension until June 12, 2009, a ten-page research paper about his responsibility to follow the law, and written evidence from a licensed mental health professional that Maxwell is not a threat to himself or to others. Due to Oregon state reciprocity rules, Maxwell had to complete the requirements before admittance to any state educational institution.
“When I saw the injustice of the system, I knew OWVA needed to help out,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of OWVA.
The Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) retained attorney, Jesse Barton, to represent Maxwell in an appeal of the suspension decision. WOU issued the stay, which allowed Maxwell’s readmission starting the summer term of 2009, without having to write the paper.
Despite the settlement, Maxwell must reapply for his GI Bill benefits lost during the trial. He also lost the tuition he paid WOU for the winter term of 2009, although the university is investigating the possibility of refunding to him some or all of that tuition.
“OWVA is pleased to have played a role in assisting a veteran in getting his academic life back on track,” said Maxwell’s attorney, Jess Barton.
OWVA Supported Vets at Paralympics Games
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2010
For more Information:
Emily Thienes 503.302.4519
emily@owva.org
 |
Salem, Ore. – Governor Kulingoski and his staff raised more than $100,000 to send 30 veterans, each with a guest, to the games for elite athletes with physical and visual disabilities. The Paralympic Games bring about 650 athletes from 45 countries to compete in events ranging from alpine skiing to ice sledge hockey to wheelchair curling. Among them are 50 U.S. athletes, including cross-country skier Greg Mallory of Portland, in his second Paralympics, and alpine skier Carl Burnett of Bend, in his third.
Oregon War Veterans Association’s (OWVA) Executive Director, Greg Warnock, learned that Oregon’ veterans would participate in the Paralympic Games, at a National Guard Reintegration summit. Through the generous support of numerous Oregonians, OWVA raised $20,000 to help send Oregon National Guard Troops who have been injured or disabled through the current war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Amy Keiter, the Governor’s Director for the program wrote to Warnock, “I want to express my true gratitude to you and OWVA. Your generous support helped us achieve our mission: Inspiring some of Oregon’s wounded warriors by watching people with similar disabilities compete at the highest level of their sport.”
The Oregon Veteran delegation included both armchair spectators and serious athletes hoping to learn more about international competition. Among them: Kevin Pannell, 31, of Troutdale, who lost both legs to a hand grenade in Iraq and is now an active snowboarder. Army veteran Dennis Hooper, 48, of Rogue River, has competed in bowling, swimming, javelin, archery and table tennis at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, since a fall from a tree in 2005 paralyzed the landscaper. He traveled with his junior high school sweetheart and current girlfriend, Melinda Johnson, whose son is currently in Afghanistan.
“These games are an incredible opportunity for our veterans to remain active after their service,” said Warnock. “The games were a huge success, and we are very proud to have helped our vets.”
The Oregon War Veterans Association along with TransCanada, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde donated the largest gifts to finance the three-day trip. At least 20 other companies contributed everything from discounted Raz charter buses to Columbia Sportswear jackets embroidered with "Get a Vet in the Game" and the Canadian and Oregon flags on the sleeve.
OWVA’s Warnock Honored with Three Prestigious Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2010
For more Information:
Emily Thienes 503.302.4519
Emily@owva.org
 |
| Pictured: Dave Salesky (KATU sponsor), Rosarian Lord High Chancellor Raymond G. Hanson, Greg Warnock, and Rosarian Prime Minister Sue Klobertanz. (Photo courtesy of Bill Barry.) |
Portland, Ore. – The Prime Minister of Portland’s Royal Rosarians, Sue Klobertanz honored OWVA’s Executive Director, Greg Warnock last Wednesday with their annual Newsmaker of the Year Award. The award is given after nominations by Portland area news media organizations for “an act of heroism.”
Warnock was nominated by KATU (Channel 2) News for OWVA’s initiation and success of their Save Christmas Project, which was later named “Operation Holiday Airlift.” Nearly one thousand people called into the KATU broadcast station during the OWVA “Operation Holiday Airlift” telethon in December raising more than $61,000.00.
The funds raised by OWVA purchased plane tickets for 105 stranded Oregon National Guard (ORNG) Troops, whose deployment to Afghanistan was delayed during the holidays. The balance of the funds raised helped send thirty disabled veterans and family members to the Paralympics in Vancouver, BC this week.
“I am both proud and humbled to be part of such a wonderful organization which has made a difference in the lives of so many military members and their families,” Warnock said to the audience of Royal Rosarians and members of the media.
Warnock told the audience that he hesitated to accept such a high honor “while there is still so much more to do for our troops, but I will use this award to continue to share about the ongoing troubles facing our troops.” Warnock explained that Oregon has 3,000 ORNG troops in harms way right now, and when they return they and their families face the harsh realities of broken marriages, lost jobs, and epidemic suicide rates. There is so much to do. It is overwhelming.”
Earlier in the Day, General Craig R. McKinley, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff honored Warnock with the National Guard Civilian Service Excellence Award for his success in carrying out Operation Holiday Airlift.
After the awards ceremony, General McKinley gave an impromptu speech commending the citizens of Oregon and OWVA for their sensitivity and support of the families of the National Guard stating, “Our military members are very fortunate to be supported by people who know how to make a difference.”
Oregon’s Governor Ted Kulongoski also attended the awards ceremony and presented Warnock with the Governor’s Coin for Excellence for Citizen Soldiers serving Oregon.
Others receiving Civilian Service Awards were Gordon Sondland, Margie Boule, Anna Song and Don Pratt for their vital participation in the operation. Also recognized in of support of the telethon were service family members, Ashley Lacer, Patricia Adsit, Amanda Cushman and Elizabeth Carson.
