Two years ago, my father-in-law (above) rolled into Washington DC as part of the Run for the Wall, a motorcycle pilgrimage of 350,000 proud veterans aimed at raising awareness of unaccounted-for U.S. military personnel from all wars and aimed at providing a friendly welcome to Vietnam War veterans.
I'm pleased to report that he and his travellling companion Robbie received a hero's welcome each mile of the way.
So on this Memorial Day, to my father-in-law who served proudly in the infantry in Vietnam; to my Uncle Tom who fought in the Battle of the Bulge; to my Dad, a World War II B-17 tailgunner; to my Great Aunt Gert's fiancee who died in a mental institution after World War I suffering from what they then called "shell shock"; to Sgt Benjamin Heir who I've come to know through his work with the Oregon National Guard Reintegration and Service Member Support team, our work in developing the Portland State University Veterans Center, and now through his work on Sen. Jeff Merkley's staff; to all the members of the reintegration team and the state Military Department and Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs whose budgets I have overseen; to Commander Leneld E. Brown and his colleagues with the Oregon National Association for Black Veterans, who we're assisting in receiving Oregon Veterans Service Organization certification; to Gold Star Families for Peace and the many veterans working to bring the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to a conclusion; to Rocky Bixby, Scott Ashby, Larry Roberta and all the Oregon soldiers poisoned by the negligence of KBR at a water treatment plant in Basra Iraq; and to all the veterans in Senate District 22 and throughout Oregon, we salute you and offer our deepest appreciation for your sacrifices and the sacrifices of your family.
I pledge to do all I can to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And I pledge to do all I can to ensure our returning service men and women in the armed services, national guard and reserves receive the gratitude, help and support they so richly deserve as they make the difficult transition back to stateside life.
If you are active military or a veteran who needs help receiving the benefits to which you are entitled, please don't hesitate to contact me at 503-231-2564 and we'll do all we can to advocate on your behalf. |
