Help Operation Homefront Oregon Help our Troops & Their Families

OPERATION HOMEFRONT OREGON IS IN NEED OF YOUR HELP!  For the past decade, this organization has bravely supported our troops and helped their families left behind. Today, Operation Homefront’s Food Closet is not equipped to support the overwhelming needs of the military men and women who will soon arrive in the mid-Willamette Valley without adequate food and money. Many of our homebound military are not coming home to jobs.

National Guard Unit 1249 will soon arrive home from Iraq. Each member will receive 20 to 40 days of leave pay, depending on their rank. After that, they will be getting their monthly pay which varies from $300 to $600.00 a month, also depending on their rank.

YOU CAN HELP! Items for Operation Homefront’s Food Closet may be brought to Benton County Republican HQ, 1760 SW 3rd., Wednesdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Donations may also be delivered and checks can be mailed to: Operation Homefront of Oregon, 1879 14th Ave S.E., Albany, OR 97322. Please call OHO at 541-981-2186 or 1-800-291-0131 for office hours.

HERE’S A GOOD WAY TO DO MORE!

Collect your Bi-Mart receipts and donate them to support our troops and their families. Bi-Mart will give Operation Homefront a percentage of the purchase price of items listed on your Bi-Mart sales receipts. That donation will provide much-needed food items and money for our returning service men and women.
Take your Bi-Mart receipts to Operation Homefront’s office, or bring them to Republican Headquarters NEXT WEEK. We will give them to Operation Homefront for their fundraising efforts. FUNDS ARE NEEDED NOW! Read More......

Still Vigilant at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers Despite Hurricane Irene

A lone Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), walks his tour in humble reverence during Hurricane Irene in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., August 27, 2011.

Since taking over the mission on April 6, 1948, Tomb Sentinels from the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment's "The Old Guard" have guarded the Tomb for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year regardless of the weather. CBS News

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Pearl Harbor: Bartcher's Photo Tribute

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BCRW Member, Linda Bartcher and her husband Bob, sent photos from their tour of Pearl Harbor and the new USS Oklahoma Memorial. Bob and Linda do so much to support the troops and their efforts are truly appreciated. Read More......

Frank Buckles, last WWI Veteran, dies

Frank Woodruff Buckles
February 1, 1901 – February 27, 2011

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) – Buckles, last WWI doughboy, dies at 110 in W.Va. "He didn't seek the spotlight, but when Frank Buckles outlived every other American who'd served in World War I, he became what his biographer called "the humble patriot" and final torchbearer for the memory of that fading conflict." Read more at Yahoo News Read More......

GT: Local Guard Unit Wins Presidential Citation

A Corvallis-based Army National Guard unit has been selected to receive one of the military's highest honors for distinguished service during the Iraq War. ∴ The 2nd Platoon of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team will be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation in Corvallis on Saturday. ∴ The presentation will take place at 2 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, 1100 N.W. Kings Blvd. Read more at the Corvallis Gazette-Times...

This is a really big honor for these soldiers. Congratulations and God Bless! Read More......

A Soldier Died Today (Poem)

A POEM WORTH READING, and sharing! (Hat tip: Nic)

He was getting
Old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

--

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For old Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won t be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Someone who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end?

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
---Author unknown

Pass On The Patriotism. YOU can make a difference. God Bless America! AMERICA, the home of the FREE because of the BRAVE. Read More......

Arlington Wreath Project

These wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, started this project in 1992 and founded 'Wreaths Across America.'

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...

See [7 min.] video from the Worcester Wreath Company and WreathsAcrossAmerica below the fold.

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Remembering our Troops at Christmas

"The best gift is prayer."

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Prayer request

Circulating email/hat tip: Nic Oliver: We are asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan & they have lost 9 marines in 4 days. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE the message spread if more could pass it on.

Claire FitzGerald, Chaplain
Marine Corps League, Dept. of Washington

Semper Fi, God Bless America and
God Bless the United States Marine Corps...
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever

Related: In Afghanistan, casualties mount among Marine battalion from Camp Pendleton Read More......

Albany's Veterans Day Parade

Benton and Linn County Republicans are sponsoring a float in the Albany Veterans Day Parade on Thursday, November 11. You’re invited to ride our beautiful float and thank the many veterans who will be lining the streets. The Benton County Republican Women have made thousands of buttons to present to veterans. Help us give these small tokens of our respect and patriotism to those whose service gives us our freedom. John Bussell, race car driver, has joined us to represent the Oregon Chapter of Operation Homefront.

Our float is NUMBER 186. To find us, turn east off Pacific Blvd onto Queen Avenue SW. Turn north onto Industrial Way, where you’ll find the check-in booth and a map of where our float is located. Floats will line both sides of Industrial Way, Jackson Avenue, 13th St. and 9th St. in the vicinity of the Law Enforcement Center (Map of general gathering area). The parade begins at 11 a.m. sharp, so please be at the float by 10:30 a.m. Thursday should have the best weather of the week, but there’s a small chance of a shower. Bring a rain poncho and dress warmly enough for a November day. Please carpool because parking near the floats may be limited.

Added: See our parade photos here: 2010 Veterans Day Parade, Albany, OR Read More......

AZ Freedom Rally: Thank you Vietnam Vets

On Saturday, July 24th, the town of Prescott Valley, AZ, hosted a Freedom Rally. Quang Nguyen was asked to speak on his experience of coming to America and what it means. He spoke the following in dedication to all Vietnam Veterans. Thought you might enjoy hearing what he had to say.

35 years ago, if you were to tell me that I am going to stand up here speaking to a couple thousand patriots, in English, I'd laugh at you. Man, every morning I wake up thanking God for putting me and my family in the greatest country on earth. I just want you all to know that the American dream does exist and I am living the American dream. I was asked to speak to you about my experience as a first generation Vietnamese-American, but I rather speak to you as an American. If you hadn't noticed, I am not white and I feel pretty comfortable with my people. I am a proud US citizen and here is my proof. It took me 8 years to get it, waiting in endless lines, but I got it and I am very proud of it. Guess what, I did legally and it ain't from the state of Hawaii. I still remember the images of the Tet offensive in 1968, I was six years old. Now you might want to question how a 6 year old boy could remember anything. Trust me, those images can never be erased. I can't even imagine what it was like for young American soldiers, 10,000 miles away from home, fighting on my behalf. 35 years ago, I left South Vietnam for political asylum. The war had ended. At the age of 13, I left with the understanding that I may or may not ever get to see my siblings or parents again. I was one of the first lucky 100,000 Vietnamese allowed to come to the US. Somehow, my family and I were reunited 5 months later, amazingly, in California. It was a miracle from God. If you haven't heard lately that this is the greatest country on earth, I am telling you that right now. It is the freedom and the opportunities presented to me that put me here with all of you tonight. I also remember the barriers that I had to overcome every step of the way. My high school counselor told me that I cannot make it to college due to my poor communication skills. I proved him wrong. I finished college. You see, all you have to do is to give this little boy an opportunity and encourage him to take and run with it. Well, I took the opportunity and here I am. This person standing tonight in front of you could not exist under a socialist/communist environment. By the way, if you think socialism is the way to go, I am sure many people here will chip in to get you a one way ticket out of here. And if you didn't know, the only difference between socialism and communism is an AK-47 aiming at your head. That was my experience. In 1982, I stood with a thousand new immigrants, reciting the pledge of allegiance and listening to the National Anthem for the first time as an American. To this day, I can't remember anything sweeter and more patriotic than that moment in my life. Fast forwarding, somehow I finished high school, finished college, and like any other goofball 21 year old kid, I was having a great time with my life. I had a nice job and a nice apartment in Southern California. In someway and somehow, I had forgotten how I got here and why I am here. One day I was at a gas station, I saw a veteran pumping gas on the other side of the island. I don't know what made me do it, but I walked over and asked if he had served in Vietnam. He smiled and said yes. I shook and held his hand. The grown man began to well up. I walked away as fast as I could and at that very moment, I was emotionally rocked. This was a profound moment in life. I knew something had to change in my life. It was time for me to learn how to be a good citizen. It was time for me to give back. You see, America is not a place on the map, it isn't a physical location. It is an ideal, a concept. And if you are an American, you must understand the concept, you must buy into this concept, and most importantly, you have to fight and defend this concept. This is about Freedom and not free stuff. And that is why I am standing up here. Brothers and sisters, to be a real American, the very least you must do is to learn English and understand it well. In my humble opinion, you cannot be a faithful patriotic citizen if you can't speak the language of the country you live in. Take this document of 46 pages - last I looked on the internet, there wasn't a Vietnamese translation of the US constitution. It took me a long time to get to the point of being able to converse and until this day, I still struggle to come up with the right words. It's not easy, but if it's too easy, it's not worth doing. Before I knew this 46 page document, I learned of the 500,000 Americans who fought for this little boy. I learned of the 58,000 names scribed on the black wall at the Vietnam Memorial. You are my heroes. You are my founders. At this time, I would like to ask all the Vietnam veterans to please stand. I thank you for my life. I thank you for your sacrifices, and I thank you for giving me the freedom and liberty I have today. I now ask all veterans, firefighters, and police officers, to please stand. On behalf of all first generation immigrants, I thank you for your services and may God bless you all.

Quang Nguyen
Creative Director/Founder
Caddis Advertising, LLC

As posted on Marine Corps League #1291
(Hat tip: John Detweiler) Read More......

Do you know what Curahee means?

Hat tip: Carolyn Webb

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Jim Coffin, long-time Troops supporter passes

Lt. James H. Coffin, USMC (retired)
Sept. 15, 1928 — June 29, 2010
Corvallis Gazette-Times, Obituary

James Henning Coffin was born to Howard William and Fanny Henning Coffin on Sept. 15, 1928, in El Paso, Texas. ∴ He was the youngest of their three sons, and was preceded in death by William Cameron Coffin and Charles Howard Coffin.

Jim attended La Mar Grade School, El Paso High School, Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy, Texas Western College and Southern Methodist University. He earned a bachelor of arts degree at Long Beach State in California. In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Aviation Cadet Program.

In early 1953, he was designated a naval aviator and commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant USMCR. During his assignment to Korea, he flew AD Sky Raiders with a tour as Forward Air Controller. After Korea, he was assigned as a Basic Flight Instructor in Pensacola, Fla., then to Marine Recruit Training Depot, Parris Island, S.C. He served in Japan and Okinawa, transitioning into flying jets and helicopters.

He was assigned as Assistant Naval Attache to New Delhi, India, and Katmandu, Nepal. Upon returning to the United States, he received refresher helicopter training with assignment to Vietnam. After being shot down, he spent six weeks aboard the USS Repose recovering from a broken back. He returned to Quantico, Va. His last year of active duty was at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Calif.

Retiring on July 1, 1972, he moved to Oregon, envisioning life as a gentleman country farmer. Instead, fortunately, he managed the Oregon State University Horticulture Research Farm in Corvallis. A number of the professors were hunters, and took him into their group. Jim hunted worldwide, but believed the best hunting was the last 25 years spent with his horticulture friends. He also became a working member of the American Custom Gunmakers’ Guild, at which he plied his trade.

Jim passed away June 29 at his home in Corvallis, with family and friends at his side. He is survived by his two children, Matthew Cameron Coffin of Anaheim, Calif., and Michelle Kimberly Trevisiol of Albany; and by his dedicated longtime partner, Elizabeth Howe of Corvallis.

A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. July 15 at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home, Corvallis. Remembrances can be made to Marine Toys for Tots or Benton Hospice Service. Read More......

Medal of Honor recipients speak out

"Stay strong, and don’t let the enemy defeat you at home."
www.medalofhonorspeakout.org

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OSU ROTC Blood Drive

From Pat Dysart, BCRW Paciderm Editor - As we try to help our troops, an area that often gets overlooked is blood donation. The OSU Army ROTC holds two drives each year on the OSU campus at the Navy Center and they typically occur Fall and Spring terms. These drives are part of the Armed Services Blood Program, the official US military blood program. The need for blood is constant. Your donation serves as a vital link to military service members and their families; and have helped to ensure the high quality care of our Service members, retirees, family members, and deployed troops. ∴ For more information, please visit the Armed Services Blood Bank Center – Pacific NW website: www.militaryblood.dod.mil/pnw/default.aspx Read More......

Children thank Soldiers in song

Via email (Hat tip: Deborah Barrett) - Awesome. I hope this sweeps our country and gets sung in all our schools. The music teacher wrote the song and had all the third graders sing. Enjoy -- great message. ∴ From the third graders of Tussing Elementary, Colonial Heights, Virginia. Don't miss this YouTube - Thank You Soldiers - Veterans Day/Memorial Day Song Read More......

Memorial Day

"Freedom is not a gift. It is an earned benefit that was paid for by the blood of our heroes. From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terrorism, the sacrifices and caliber of America's fighting men and women have been nothing short of inspirational."

(Memorial Day Message from the American Legion National Headquarters May 2010) Read More......

It is the Soldier

Photo from 2010 Armed Forces Day Tribute (Album), Corvallis, OR

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Afghanistan Goes Gaga

APRIL 30--"In what may be the most entertaining music video homage ever shot in a war zone, a group of American soldiers stationed at a military base in southwest Afghanistan star in a lip-synced version of Lady Gaga's hit 'Telephone'." Watch the video and meet the soldiers... Read More......

Lou Copes: SOS from Operation Homefront

A message from Lou, 3/16/2010 - Operation Homefront is now located in Heritage Mall. They have a really nice space and furnishing donated to meet the troops, for training on budgeting, shopping, and just surviving. ∴ Today I stopped by to see how contributions were going and received an SOS request for needed items. It appears that [the largest deployment of National Guard Troops in Oregon's history is coming to an end and troops will be returning from Iraq], many without jobs. This will put an added load on the food supply at Operation Homefront when the food closet is already low.

It would be wonderful if everyone could bring one or more items to BCRW meetings. Financial contributions are also welcome. I will see to it that your donations are taken to Operations Homefront.

One item that is exceptionally needed is baby diapers of all sizes. The rest that they are asking for is in the food area and I have listed some suggestions below.

Complete Box Meal Dinners
Tuna helper
Canned tuna
Canned ham
Canned milk
Flour
Sugar
Powder drink mixes
Hot breakfast cereal
Cold breakfast cereal
Toaster pastries
Peanut butter
Jan/jelly
Pancake mix
Pancake syrup
Soda Crackers
Snack crackers
Packaged snacks and cookies
Microwave meals
Microwave popcorn
Dried beans
Canned Vegetables
Canned fruit
Pasta/noodles
Spaghetti sauce
Cooking oil
Cake mixes
Canned frosting
Cookie/brownie mix

Thanks for supporting the troops through Operation Homefront.
Lou Copes Read More......

WWII: "North Platte Nebraska, next stop"

(Hat tip: Linda Weimer) When the "Greatest Generation" passed through North Platte, Nebraska during WWII, they got a hug and a handshake, homemade cakes and cookies, and a moment of respite and prayer provided by thousands... (You won't be sorry that you took a couple of minutes to watch this. Let us never forget what they have done for us, and let us never stop thanking them and doing for them what we can.)

Visit the North Platte Canteen (YouTube Video) Read More......