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.

July 10, 2009

Salem, Oregon – The Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) is encouraged to announce that Jeff Maxwell, the Western Oregon University (WOU) student and veteran Marine who was wrongfully arrested and subsequently suspended from school for lawfully carrying a concealed weapon, may now re-enter the Oregon University System.

Earlier this year, Western Oregon University demanded Maxwell write a special research paper on the importance of following their policies – essentially a denouncement of his own lawful actions. “We appreciate WOU’s concern and cooperation on this issue,” said Jesse Barton, the Salem attorney retained by OWVA to represent Maxwell. “Maxwell will now be able to reenroll while the court case continues.”

Maxwell recently signed an agreement, negotiated by Jesse Barton with Assistant Attorney General Gary Cordy, effectively staying the research paper requirement until the Court of Appeals has a chance to review his case.

After Maxwell’s arrest, OWVA retained Barton, who is also a veteran member of OWVA to defend Maxwell after they became aware of the level of humiliation forced on him.

“He did nothing wrong, but was arrested, humiliated, and suspended without the ability to properly defend himself. WOU’s actions infuriated veterans and gun rights advocates from all over the State,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of OWVA.

WOU’s action against Maxwell caused him to lose the funds he prepaid for his education, lose academic credits for the courses he was enrolled in, and also lose his GI Bill educational benefits during his suspension.

“We are happy that Maxwell may continue his education,” said Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of OWVA. “We’re excited that WOU and Maxwell could reach a compromise on this one issue.”

June 30, 2009

OWVA is saddened by the Oregon Legislature's decision to cut the Oregon Military Department/National Guard (OMD) budget by more than 16% while 3,200 Oregon National Guard troops deploy to Iraq this year.

"I am so sick of hearing 'we got your back' by politicians in Oregon who voice their support for our military in pubic forums, but in committee and session hearings cut their support so drastically," said Greg Warnock, Director of Oregon War Veterans Association.

During the budget vote by the Oregon House, Representative Tim Freeman (R-Roseburg) - the only member to voice his opinion on the budget bill - said, "I voted yes on this bill in committee, and will vote yes on this bill today. But, I think it is unconscionable that we could be passing a budget with such drastic cuts, while we are in a war with Oregon Troops deployed." 

Most of the troops deploying to war zones this year have been there two or three times already, and some have been there four times. Each of these families has suffered for many years while in the deployment cycle, and needed more help than ever from the legislature, especially for their emergency family fund support.

During the 2009 legislative session, OWVA asked for $850,000 to properly fund the National Guard's family emergency assistance fund. The legislative sub committee which oversaw the military budget process this year only authorized $250,000 to fund the emergency fund. After OWVA's loud complaints to the legislative leadership, they decided to raise the fund contribution from $250,000 to $450,000, which is still a decrease from previous years.

In the past two biennia, the legislature gave the fund $500,000. But, during each of those biennia the Oregon Military Department ran out of funds for emergencies within 18 months, so OWVA asked for more money this session. This year, the Oregon Military Department/National Guard has deployed more troops to war than at any other time since WWII.

This is a legislative FAILURE, in our opinion, and a tragedy for our military families. Military members, who have endured multiple years of deployments and subsequent financial hardships, cannot continue to support their families with even the most basic housing and utility costs. Many of them have already used up their home equities to subsidize their income, cashed in their savings accounts, sold assets and depleted other family resources just to survive the previous 18-24 month deployments. Some of these families will undoubtedly become homeless while their heads of household are dodging bullets and IEDs in Iraq.

During the next week, the directors and supporters of OWVA will more thoroughly review this legislative session's treatment of Oregon's veterans and military members by reviewing all of the veteran related bills, and will publish their review online and as a press release.

June 09, 2009

Representative Peter Buckley
Co-Chair—Ways and Means
Oregon State Legislature

Representative Buckley, we met with Senator Verger (nice meeting) this afternoon regarding the Oregon National Guard emergency fund. I understand, however, that assigned a mere $200,000 for that fund, which has historically received $500,000- and we asked for $850k this session, because they always run out within 18 months.

Senator Verger told me that she thought they were ADDING $200,000 to the fund, but when I told her that the current fund has been depleted now for almost a year, she seemed surprised. The Oregon Military Department's (OMD) hands are tied, because they have to appear satisfied with what the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) tells them they will get. What else can they do then, but rely on advocates like us? When she said that they also put money into the Re-Integration team programs, I reminded her that only re-integrating personnel use those funds, and the families of deployed troops would not have access to them.

I am not entirely sure what is going on down there, but let me assure you that budgeting $200,000 will mean that Oregon National Guard Troops will NOT be taken care of while we are in the biggest deployment in recent history. They'll deplete those funds within 6 months.

Only you can fix this now, since the the matter is back before the entire Ways and Means Committee. Please do the right thing.

Sincerely,
Greg Warnock
OWVA

June 3, 2009


The following email was sent to Oregon's legislative leaders, in an attempt to express how important it is to help the Oregon National Guard in their time of extraordinary need.

Dear President Courtney, Speaker Hunt, Senators Burdick and Carter, and Representatives Buckley and Barnhart:

Our constituents have been hounding us for more information regarding our legislation to assist the Oregon Nation Guard Emergency Fund funding, and Oregon Youth Challenge Program. We have not been critical of the legislature so far, and would honestly like to keep it that way.

Since 2005, the Oregon National Guard has received funding for their Emergency Fund, which, as you know is critical for their operations, both at home, and also in the battlefield, where our guys don't have the energy to worry about the financial constraints placed on their families (3,200 of them) while they are dodging bullets and IED's.

OWVA wrote SB921, which will satisfy ORNG's emergency funding needs for the next biennium. But, this bill has not seen the light of day yet. How can we as Oregon Citizens, and you as our leaders realize how much in Federal money the ORNG brings into the State for all of the non-military related special projects sponsored by this legislature, and then purposely decide NOT to fund their most critical programs?

As you know, the National Guard's budget has been cut deeper than any of the other major agencies- but for ever dollar in their budget, they bring in more than 190 dollars. To us, this seems to be more than an oversight by Leadership, but is an abuse our National Guard. It seems to us, and to our constituency that you folks are using the national Guard for financial gain, but will not help them when they need it the most. Amazing.

Since I know that you do not read lengthy emails during session, especially at the end it- I will be very brief about our other issues.

SB920 will save the Oregon Youth Challenge, from impending financial disaster, and do it with a simple solution. A 2.0 ADM is all they need to make this program the best in the country. By the way, the Federal match for this program will be 50% beginning next year. How can we let this program fail? We have a meeting with Senator Verger about this bill on Monday, and would very much appreciate your support to move the bill ahead.

SB917 is a placeholder bill (can be amended in two days) to fix the TRICARE tax benefit fiasco from 2007. The orignal bill (HB3201) was supposed to help military families get sufficient healthcare by encouraging providers to enroll as TRICARE providers. Tricare is the ONLY medical program for ORNG families. Without providers, they have NO health care. I can give you many anecdotes about how important this is. The solution is relatively simple too: Take out the Dept of Rual Health as the administrator of the tax program, and let the providers simply apply for the deductions and credits from the Dept of Revenue. The middleman is unnecessary and problematic. Not fixing the TRICARE problem in Oregon will keep families from a health care service that would otherwise be available to them.

Did you know that if they qualify for TRICARE they do not qualify for other low income health programs? Even if they have no providers through TRICARE? This means that the military families whom you have publicly sworn to "watch your back" will lose all access to affordable health care. (Isn't that an important issue for this legislature?)

OWVA has been sending out regular press releases and Twitters to our constituents and the general public. It is important (as we face the end of this session), that you help get these bills moving and fund the National Guard programs as requested. We want our next few press releases to be excited about how well the legislature is "watching your backs," while our troops are deployed. Time is running out. Please help.

I would value an email, or phone call from each of you, or even a meeting explaining how you plan to resolve these issues, or if you plan to move these bills forward.

Very sincerely,

Greg Warnock
Oregon War Veteran Association