Some of the 'Services' and 'Programs we have available
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Welcome to Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida 'a Source for Veteran Resources'
Welcome to Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida 'a Source for Veteran Resources'
Welcome to Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida 'a Source for Veteran Resources'Welcome to Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida 'a Source for Veteran Resources'Welcome to Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida 'a Source for Veteran Resources'180 W. Idaho Ave, Ontario, Oregon 97914
541-889-1978
VETERANS DIVIDED ON DECISION TO REMOVE VA RATING SYSTEM
“They’re removing the system, which immediately removes the star qualities off of the facilities ".
Eric Hannel, who was a Marine for 20 years and previously worked as the lead investigator for the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said he’s concerned about the new evaluations. “They’re removing the system, which immediately removes the star qualities off of the facilities – I find that very, very problematic,” said Hannel, who was a VA investigator in 2018.
"The stars just weren't working for us," said Richard Stone , VA Health Administration
Richard Stone, the executive in charge of the veterans’ health administration, said some veterans’ hospitals with low rankings were actually better than nearby civilian hospitals.
“The stars just weren’t working for us,” Stone said.
For instance, the Atlanta VA hospital received one out of five stars in 2018 and 2019. But “the Atlanta hospital, which is a one-star hospital, has a better survival rate and a better outcome rate of heart attacks, pneumonia and heart failure than all the hospitals around it,” Stone said.
WELCOME! A FEW TOPICS OF INTEREST (click on pics for more)
Articles published Bi-monthly
"OUR FUTURE-WAR IN SPACE"
Our Chairman / Founder Ronald Verini , writes 2 articles a month which are published in a regional newspaper. You can read these articles here on our Webpage just by clicking on the heading 'Veterans Articles'. This Article will be published January 19, 2020.
"OUR FUTURE-WAR IN SPACE"
The discussions around the coffee table at Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida lately has been things like Syria, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, hell week in the Army, Navy seals and other interesting topics.
One of the most interesting to me was the militarization of space. I thought that the world leaders would have had enough of this war stuff and might sit down around the coffee table and discuss moving forward with maybe having space as a frontier to forge peace? I certainly was naive to even think that that would happen and was reminded that we are way past the thought of peace in space. We here in the United States have had going back a long way; Strategic Defense Initiative, Project Nike & Nike Zeus and many other programs that were developed, in some cases to protect us from attack by strategic nuclear missiles and other programs to help institutionalize the use of outer space by our military forces. The United States Space Command was created back in 1985, way before todays U.S. Space Force was announced on Dec 20th, 2019 and is now the sixth military branch. So now all those assigned to the Air Force Space Command are officially assigned to the Space Force. You might go to www.spaceforce.mil for some updates. To read the full article click the Red Bar below.........
"I didn't think i'd make it," WWII veteran reflects on turning 100
January 11, 2020, by Rick McCrabb, Journal News, Hamilton, Ohio
Charles Sexton understands he was fortunate to survive World War II.
The man turning 100 years old today received a Purple Heart after he was shot in his right leg. He called serving during WWII "a nice experience."
He glanced at his shadowbox that contains his medals, and said, "It's not something I would want to do again. One time was enough."
Sexton lives at Spring Hills Senior Communities in Middletown, and despite his hearing difficulties and "a few aches and pains," he's fairly healthy.
When asked how he felt, he smiled and said: "I feels like 100. I didn't think I'd make it." Sexton graduated from Middletown High School in 1938, worked at Armco, then served in the U.S. Army from 1943-45. He returned to Middletown and owned D&S Market on Yankee Road with his uncle, Jack Deaton, then worked again at Armco, from which he retired.
While at MHS, Sexton set two track records that stood for years. He held the school record for the half-mile (2:04) for 13 years and the school record for the mile (4:39) for 25 years. He was inducted into the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016 and at 96 years old making him the oldest member.
Florida Woodworker & Navy Veteran makes free canes for Veterans!
January 9, 2020 By Cindy Sharp, for the Daily Commercial
Three years ago, Oscar Morris started the project, “Free Canes For Veterans,” where he promised to do his part and make a hand-made wooden cane for any veteran in need of one.
Oscar Morris has always had an appreciation for veterans.
A Navy veteran himself, he understands the sacrifices these men and women have had to make and believes our community should be doing everything we can to take care of them.
So three years ago he started the project, “Free Canes For Veterans,” where he promised to do his part and make a hand-made wooden cane for any veteran in need of one.
“It all started on a fishing trip,” Morris said. “I work with wood and restore high-end furniture by trade. While fishing, my boat hit a limb that was sticking out of the water. As I saw it start to float away, I just grabbed it. I wondered what kind of colors were underneath the bark. The water causes the wood to turn colors and it was beautiful. But it was long and small, so I didn’t know what to do with it. So I made a cane.”
Morris had so much fun making the first cane that he began making others with different shapes, designs and colors. Soon, he had seven canes he didn’t know what to do with.
Bringing Veterans to Nebraska.
January 9, 2020 by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, Norfolk Daily News
Military retirement tax relief is important for several reasons.
First, it helps keep us competitive with surrounding states. Currently, Nebraska’s tax policy on military retirement puts our state at a competitive disadvantage compared to our neighbors. South Dakota and Wyoming don’t have state income taxes. Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri exempt military retirement pay from state income taxation. Other Midwestern states are making progress in the area of attracting military retirees by creating better policies for veterans. For example, North Dakota and Indiana both enacted legislation in 2019 to end taxes on military retirement pay.
Second, veterans are a great cultural fit for Nebraska, and we want more of them to make their home in Nebraska. Military families are some of the most dedicated, patriotic citizens in our society. They’re responsible, disciplined, and ready to give back to their community. Since many military personnel can retire after twenty years of service, they often finish their military service in their 40s or 50s. At this age, they’re still looking for ways to actively invest their wealth of skills and experience in a new job. Given our state’s need for talented workers, we cannot afford to have military retirees exit our state for a more favorable tax situation elsewhere.
1-855-948-2311 - This is the phone number for the 'White House' VA Hotline
What is the White House VA Hotline?
The hotline’s pilot began under direction of the Veterans Experience Office on June 1, 2017, and entered phase two on October 15, 2017.
White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311.
Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hotline is staffed by more than 60 agents who have had extensive training on VA programs and services. Most of these agents are a Veteran, military family member, caregiver or a survivor.
The White House VA Hotline conducts immediate warm hand offs for at-crisis risk Veterans needing the services of the Veterans Crisis Line.
Trends identified by the hotline will be used to rapidly respond to systemic inefficiencies and empower VA employees to resolve Veteran concerns quickly.
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO?
- Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone.
- Send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder.
- Start a confidential online chat session at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
- Take a self-check quiz at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Quiz to learn whether stress and depression might be affecting you.
- Find a VA facility near you.
- Visit MilitaryCrisisLine.net if you are an active duty Service member, Guardsman, or Reservist.
- Connect through chat, text, or TTY if you are deaf or hard of hearing.
Some Ongoing Stories of Interest For Our Veterans
Vets prosthetic legs were repossessed
January 10, 2020, by Giacomo Bologna, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
COLLINS — A man walked into a nursing home for military veterans two days before Christmas, picked up Jerry Holliman's legs and left.
Holliman, 69, had hopes of moving back to his home in Hattiesburg and returning to an independent lifestyle with his new prosthetic legs.
Then they were repossessed.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs wouldn't pay for his prosthetic legs, Holliman said, and Medicare wanted him on the hook for co-pays. As Holliman tried to navigate what felt like a maze of paperwork, it felt like his country was forgetting him.
"Medicare did not send me to Vietnam," Holliman said. "I was sent there by my country... with the understanding that if something bad happened to me, that it would be covered by the VA." Holliman served active duty in the U.S. Army twice — as an 18-year-old specialist who volunteered to fight in Vietnam and as a 53-year-old master sergeant in Iraq. He earned Bronze Stars in both wars, according to his discharge papers. Between active duty and the U.S Army National Guard, Holliman said he served 40 years in the military.
While in Vietnam, Holliman said he was exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical the American military used to kill vegetation. The chemical also caused diseases to Vietnamese and U.S. Service members, including cancers and diabetes.
Holliman said he's survived three forms of cancer, but in recent years, diabetes began affecting his legs.
Program aims to keep military veterans from returning to Hillsborough Jail
December 18, 2019 by Divya Kumar, Tampa Bay Times
TAMPA — Ronald Waltens hadn’t expected to hear he’d have to spend 27 months in prison.
When he got the news, his spirits sank. He’d been charged with a felony of grand theft, but thought he’d probably get a year in the county jail.
He remained sullen as he was transported back to the Hillsborough County jail, where he was supposed to be the speaker that evening at the Veterans Resurgence Program graduation ceremony.
But when he walked back into the room, he felt better.
“I walk in the room, and I see my troopies there, my men, and it’s like, ‘Be grateful,’ you know,” he said. “My girl was there, too.”
Waltens, 54, was part of the first graduating class of the new program formed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and designed to reduce recidivism within the veteran population.
Waltens enlisted in the Army in 1987. He spent four years on active duty, went into the Reserves and was an artillery observer in Operation Just Cause, the U.S. mission to remove Manuel Noriega as the leader of Panama.
Shortly after being released from the Army, he said, he began using drugs. His brushes with the law began in 1991 — first misdemeanors, then felonies. Click the 'red-bar' below for full story......
Supporting providers who serve Veterans with suicide prevention resources...
VA's Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program (SRM)
VA’s Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program (SRM) provides one free hour of consultation services for community or VA providers who work with Veterans at risk for suicide.
SRM consultants collaborate with providers and offer tailored, one-on-one support for risk assessment, conceptualization of suicide risk, lethal means safety counseling, strategies for how to engage Veterans at high risk in their own treatment, best practices for documentation, and provider support after a suicide loss (postvention). SRM’s expert consultation and resources promote best practices informed by research conducted in VA and in the community.
SRM experts only consult with PROVIDERS on suicide risk management and does not provide any direct care or support to Veterans. If you are a Veteran in crisis — or you’re concerned about one — free, confidential support is available 24/7. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, send a text message to 838255, or chat online. Find Veteran Suicide Prevention information and resources on the Veterans Crisis Line website. To get more info on this SRM Program just click the red bar below.....
Veterans Can Now Learn About Their Toxic Exposure Risks with New VA App
November 25, 2019 By Dorothy Mills-Gregg, Military.com
For veterans who think they were exposed to toxic substances during their service, the Department of Veterans Affairs has a mobile application that will help them answer questions about what this potential exposure means for their long-term health.
Originally designed for VA providers, Exposure Ed now lets anyone view a list of service-related exposures -- broken down by type, conflict and date or location of service. It also has a map veterans can use to find the closest VA facilities and exposure-related programs.
For example, veterans thinking they came into contact with the Vietnam-era herbicide Agent Orange can use the "Exposures" button on the home page for immediate access to a list of illnesses related to exposure. Or, veterans can input in the time and location they served to view everything they might have been exposed to.
Related: After Decade of Fighting, the Blue-Water Navy Benefits Bill is Now a Law
The last option sorts exposure risks by conflict, ranging from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn.
Vets with iPhones can access their VA Medical Records
November 7, 2019 by Patricia Time, Military.com
Veterans with iPhones can now view their Department of Veterans Affairs medical records through their phone’s Health app.
VA and Apple began rolling out the capability during the summer but issued formal announcements this week, just ahead of Veterans Day.
“We have delivered veterans an innovative new way to easily and securely access their health information,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said Nov. 6 in a release. “Veterans deserve access to their health data at any time and in one place, and with health records on the Health app, VA has pushed the veterans experience forward.”
Veterans will see an aggregated view of their VA health care information such as lab results, medical history, procedures and medications.
Information from private medical providers also is available if that provider participates in the Apple Health program. More than 400 companies are on board, including Johns Hopkins, University of California San Diego, Quest Diagnostics and Allscripts.
New Bill Would Protect Military, Veteran Family Members from Deportation
November 8, 2019 by Gina Harkins, Military.com
A retired Army officer in the Senate introduced a bill this week that would protect a policy allowing family members of service members and veterans to remain in the U.S. temporarily without threat of deportation.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, wants to safeguard these family members with the Military Family Parole in Place Act. The program allows some parents, children and spouses of active-duty troops, reservists and veterans to temporarily remain in the U.S., but Trump administration officials are considering scaling it back.
The program gives troops' and veterans' family members who came to the U.S. illegally the chance to adjust their immigration status without leaving the country. Officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began reviewing the program this summer, when some family members began hearing the program was being terminated.
Duckworth called the possibility of ending the deportation protections "cruel and inhumane."
Related: ICE Is Deporting Veterans Without Checking Their Service Status, Watchdog Says
New Veterans Shopping Benefits Beginning January 1, 2020
Starting January 1, 2020 the Department of Defense is expanding in-store military exchange and commissary shopping privileges as well as MWR resale facility use to:
- All Veterans with service-connected disabilities
- Purple Heart recipients
- Former prisoners of war
- Caregivers or family caregivers registered as the primary caregiver for a veteran in the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
Weary Veterans Exemplify Nation Reluctant for War With Iran
January 9, 2020, by Jennifer Steinhauer, New York Times
While as mixed in their views as other Americans, the veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now a larger proportion of critics of interventions in the regions they once fought in.
WASHINGTON — In 2002, as the George W. Bush administration marched toward its invasion of Iraq, Vice President Dick Cheney chose the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to make his case for invasion and was greeted with thunderous applause.
This week, the V.F.W., like other major veterans organizations that once took positions on foreign affairs as seriously as health care and other veterans issues, was silent on President Trump’s order to kill a top Iranian general with a drone strike last week. “Any questions pertaining to the killing of the Iranian commander or retaliation from Iran should be forwarded to the Defense and State departments,” said Terrence Hayes, a spokesman for the organization.
Mr. Trump — and the Iranians — now have taken cautious steps back from escalating toward war. The president’s actions appear at least partly driven by a nation — and its veterans — frustrated by nearly two decades of conflicts and no longer rallying reflexively around a commander in chief.
“After 9/11, the country was unified behind our president and it was clear we had an enemy who wanted to harm us,” said Brian Stone, who served in the Navy as a petty officer third class.
LIST OF ALL OUR MILITARY VETERANS NOW SERVING IN CONGRESS
This link provides an 'email contact' for all Veterans in Congress -use it to voice your concerns!
The Congressional Veterans Caucus provides an in-depth look at every member of Congress who has served in the military. These men and women are key influencers when it comes to legislation that impacts service members, their families, DoD civilians and defense companies. Navigate the Congressional Veterans Caucus to learn more about these leaders, and highlight veteran politicians by state, political party, war era and more.
Learn More
Featured Congressmen:
R-PENNSYLVANIA, NATIONAL GUARD
D-HAWAII, NATIONAL GUARD
D-MARYLAND, ARMY
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEBPAGE!
We thank all the Supporters, Businesses and Friends for giving their time and resources in helping and caring for our Veterans, Military and First Responders and their Families.
We really appreciate your interest too, in 'Who we are and What we do'. If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to 'volunteer' or 'donate', well please contact us with an email, a phone call, or just drop on into the office.
You are always welcome to come and join us Monday thru Friday from 9am to 4pm. We are a "No Dues' nonprofit organization with the coffee pot always on and lots of conversation always available. Bring your questions regarding any veteran services you are concerned about, and we will do our best to steer you in the right direction.
Our phone is 541-889-1978, and we are located in Ontario, Oregon at 180 W. Idaho Ave.
LOCAL ONTARIO, OREGONIAN 'KILLED-IN-ACTION'
THE "SGT. JOSHUA C. BRENNAN MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY"
Re-dedicated this last June 2019, to the memory and Honor of one of our local Heroes. The Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida extend to you an open invitation to visit the Museum and Library and learn more about Sgt. Brennen and all of our local and regional Heroes who have served our great Country, and the many who did "GIVE ALL".
You may arrange special viewing appointments by calling our offices at 541-889-1978, Monday thru Friday from 9am to 4pm.
New Graphic Novels Honor Hero Medal of Honor Recipients
Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta dragging a wounded comrade and firing at the enemy in Afghanistan
October 11, 2019, By Mathew Cox, Military.com
The graphic novel on former Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta tells the story of the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, according to the release.
Then Spec. Giunta, of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, was on patrol in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan in October 2007 when his platoon was ambushed by Taliban fighters.
"Braving rocket-propelled grenades and intense smalls arms fire, Giunta advanced on the enemy, prevented the capture of a fellow paratrooper and turned the tide of the battle," the release states.
In July 2017, Giunta presented his Medal of Honor to his fellow paratroopers of the 173rd AirborneWE AT THE VETERAN ADVOCATES OF ORE-IDA, DEDICATED EARLIER THIS YEAR OUR 'MILITARY/VETERAN MUSEUM' TO THE MEMORY OF SGT. JOSHUA C. BRENNAN, ONE OF THE WOUNDED COMRADES THAT SPEC. SAL GIUNTA PULLED FROM THE TALIBAN FIGHTERS. SGT. BRENNAN LATER DIED OF HIS WOUNDS. SGT. BRENNAN WAS A LOCAL RESIDENT AND A GRADUATE OF OUR ONTARIO, OREGON HIGH SCHOOL.
More on the 'Medal of Honor' publications..
"We are excited to share these stories with readers," Joseph Craig, director of AUSA's Book Program, said in the release. "It has been personally rewarding to learn more about these remarkable soldiers, and we have been fortunate to work with such a talented creative team to bring this history to life."
Who we are....
Our Mission
Is to provide a voice, for Veterans and Active Duty personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States of America and their dependents. To support, Honor, Recognize and Advocate for their needs as members of our Communities, States and Country
We are an 'All Volunteer' 501 c 3 organization
We support 'Our Mission' through Donations and an All Volunteer Staff. Pictured here to the right is a young High School Senior whose Senior Project was to raise money for our Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida programs, which he did by completing an engine swap in a Ford Taurus and thus raised $2,666.75. He is pictured with our Chairman and a few of our Veteran Volunteers.
You are Welcome Anytime......
We are a "No Dues" Non-profit organization that welcomes you for 'Coffee & Conversation' 5 days a week in our Ontario, Oregon Office. You can also give us a call regarding any assistance you may be seeking.
PLEASE, Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
