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Whether you served on the beaches of Europe or across the 38th parallel, the jungles of Asia, the deserts of the Middle East; whether you served here at home or overseas, in wartime or in peace; whether you served proudly in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard — you are part of an unbroken chain of patriots who have served this country with honor through the life of our nation.
America is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave, but this was never a given. This reputation was earned by the blood and sweat of patriots who, generation after generation, dedicated themselves to building and defending a nation that is stronger, freer, a little closer to the ideals our constitution affords us all.
This year will be remembered as a year of tremendous change and challenge for our nation and citizens. As we roll into November, for the first time in over a century, there will be no large ceremonies in big cities and small towns on Veterans Day and no parades down Main Street to properly express our gratitude and appreciation to the men and women who served our nation to preserve and defend our democracy.
Although how we celebrate our veterans and their families in 2020 must be demonstrated in untraditional ways, our intent is no less meaningful. Veterans Day is a time to take pause, as a nation, to truly celebrate and thank veterans for their service and sacrifice. Especially now.
Virtual Veterans Day Celebration
I invite all Oregonians to join the virtual Statewide Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 11 at 11:00 a.m. on ODVA’s Facebook page to honor our nation's veterans who have served their nation and returned home to our great state and continue to serve our communities. They are moms and dads, teachers and doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs, social workers and community leaders. These are the heroes of a peaceful nation: our colleagues and friends, neighbors and family members who answered the call and returned to live in the land they defended.
Start with a Veteran Service Office
The work ODVA and partners do every day align with one singular purpose – to serve those who have served. This has never been so true as it has been in 2020, as so many in Oregonians struggle to find additional resources that will help them through this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. In Oregon, veterans and their families have access to a robust network of free and local veteran services in all 36 counties across the state, including the new expansion of Tribal Veteran Service Offices on tribal land. Veteran Service Officers are trained and certified to represent all veterans in accessing earned federal and state benefits. Whether you would like to file a claim for disability compensation or are wondering what other benefits and resources you are eligible for, begin your veteran benefit journey with a local VSO. Find the VSO office near you.
COVID-19 Veteran Resource Navigator
To further aid veterans and their families at this time, ODVA has also developed a COVID-19 Veteran Resource Navigator resource to help veterans and their families find information about veteran specific resources throughout Oregon that can assist with economic, housing stability, healthcare and other critical resources needed during this pandemic. If you need assistance with finding resource information, veterans are also encouraged to call ODVA at 800-692-9666 to speak with a Veteran Resource Navigator.
Virtual Veteran Town Halls
As part of ODVA’s continued work to support traditionally underserved veterans, this fall ODVA will host a special series of live virtual town halls focused on women and LGBTQ veteran issues. While in military service, veterans from all walks of life have risked their lives to oppose the repression of basic human rights around the globe. Many even worked to right wrongs within the military experienced by many Black, brown and indigenous Americans, women, and LGBTQ individuals who simply wanted to serve our country and yet encountered injustice in the ranks. ODVA works with traditionally underserved and marginalized veterans to address the impact of this inequality and the ceaseless need for such work to continue. During these town halls, I will share benefit and resource information available as well as take questions from the public. I encourage women and members of the LGBTQ community to register, attend and share this event information broadly. Learn more at Town Hall.
Lastly, as we continue our work on behalf of all veterans and families, ODVA has continued to develop new grants and pivot programs that offer critical direct support to veterans in Oregon. Developed with Measure 96 Lottery Funds, ODVA has new grant funding opportunities to improve outcomes and services for student veterans and community-based veteran service providers. Read more about grants further in this newsletter.
On behalf of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs and a grateful nation, thank you for your service to this nation and your continued advocacy on behalf of all Oregon veterans and their families.
ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick
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Kelly Fitzpatrick is the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Governor Kate Brown’s policy advisor on veterans’ issues. She is a retired Army officer. Her military awards and decorations include multiple awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge. |
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