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.

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.

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.

Two days ago the Governor signed Senate Bill 999 (2010). See http://www.leg.state.or.us/10ss1/measpdf/sb0900.dir/sb0999.en.pdf. It expands district attorney diversion authority, particularly in cases involving defendants who are servicemembers.

SB 999 was sponsored by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, which is chaired by Sen. Martha Schrader. Essentially, it defines “servicemembers” as past and current members of the active duty service, reserves, and the national guard. Under its retroactivity/emergency clause, SB 999 applies to all cases in which there had not been an adjudication of guilt or of no contest, as of the bill’s March 4, 2010 effective date.

The bill doesn’t apply to servicemember-defendant cases exclusively. It amends ORS 135.886(2)(a) to establish that persons charged with crimes involving “physical injury”—as opposed to mere “injury,” as the statute said previously—are ineligible for diversion. By adding the “physical” qualifier, SB 999 expands DA diversion authority for all classes of cases.

In servicemember-defendant cases, the bill specifies that the defendant is diversion eligible so long as he or she:

· Was discharged “under other than honorable conditions” or better (i.e., did not receive a “bad conduct” or “dishonorable” discharge, either of which requires a courts-martial conviction);
· Is not charged with first-degree sexual abuse, or with first- or second-degree rape, sodomy, or sexual penetration;
· Is not charged with a Class A or B felony involving “physical injury,” or with any crime involving “serious physical injury”; and
· Is not charged with a “domestic violence” crime involving an alleged victim who, at the time of the alleged crime, had a pending protective order against the servicemember-defendant.

SB 999 contains a special provision for cases where the servicemember-defendant is charged with a “domestic violence” crime, but the alleged victim did not have a pending protective order against the servicemember-defendant. In that situation, the servicemember-defendant is diversion eligible, but SB 999 requires him or her to plead guilty or no contest to the domestic violence charge. But if the charging instrument also alleges a non-domestic violence crime, SB 999 does not require the servicemember-defendant to plead guilty or no contest to that charge.

Work on SB 999 actually began with House Bill 3396 (2009), which was sponsored by (then) Rep. Shields at the request of the Oregon War Veterans Ass’n (OWVA). Although the bill didn’t move during the 2009 legislative session, work continued on it during the interim and then through the 2010 supplemental session. That work involved the efforts not just of OWVA, but of a range of organizations including the:

· Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Ass’n,
· Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance,
· Oregon District Attorneys Ass’n,
· Oregon Partners in Crisis,
· Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force, and
· Oregon Law Center.

On behalf of the veterans that it serves, OWVA would like to thank all of those organizations, along with the members and staff of the 2010 Legislature, for their commitment to and efforts in the enactment of SB 999.

Jesse Wm. Barton
Associate Legal Counsel
Oregon War Veterans Association
jess@owva.org
Phone (503) 391-6283
Fax (503) 391-8362

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.

August 28, 2009

For more information contact: Nellie deVries 541-601-7272

Salem, Oregon – This morning, the Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) was notified that two members of the Oregon National Guard's 41st Infantry Combat Brigade were killed in Iraq. A third soldier was wounded. Very few details are available yet, but OWVA has told the Governor's Office, Oregon National Guard's (ORNG) General Staff and the 41st's Family Readiness Support Team that "we are here to help as needed."

Nearly 3,500 ORNG families are concerned for their loved ones, especially since the news of the two deaths has come so soon after Oregon’s troops arrived in Iraq.

In the past, OWVA has been asked to assist with funeral costs and transportation for extended family members. "We do whatever is asked of us," said Greg Warnock, OWVA's Executive Director. OWVA is one of the few charitable organizations that has developed a close relationship with the 41st Brigade, and the General Staff of the Oregon National Guard.

"Thank you again, I know you are tired of hearing me say this, but I really appreciate you and all you have done for me and the families of our soldiers," said Donna Herr, the Family Readiness Assistant for the 41st, to Warnock today.

OWVA spent time during the legislative session trying to get the legislature to fund the National Guard's Family Emergency Fund, and only had minor success. Barely one-half of the funds requested were budgeted, so OWVA is asking for the public to help with their own emergency fund. OWVA has operated an emergency fund for the National Guard since 2002, and has supported them as needed.

Please consider donating desperately needed charitable contributions to OWVA's ORNG Emergency Fund TODAY. Contributions of any amount can be sent to OWVA, PO Box 8043, Salem, OR 97303.

Thank you for your support of our troops.