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WWII veterans

World War II history floats, and lives, on the LCI-713

In 2009, Seaman Second Class Hubert Miller visited the USS LCI-713 and went in search of a dent. He found it on the ship’s deck, and he smiled. Miller served during World War II, and was on board when the conflict ended and celebratory cans of beer were passed out. In the days before pull tabs, you needed a piercer to open a can. They didn’t have one, so Miller’s overzealous shipmate swung a fire

November 21, 2016 8:33 am
Post-9/11 veterans

“Mission Continues” at Otter Point

Over the weekend, about 15 veterans and civilians traveled from as far away as Eugene and Seattle to slog through the muck for several hours at Otter Point in the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, planting spruce and shrubs to improve salmon habitat.

The volunteers were deployed for the day by Seattle’s 1st Service Platoon from nonprofit The Mission Continues, which connects veterans, friends and family with community service projects around the country.

Leading the group

November 21, 2016 7:53 am

Community feasts offered to everyone

Grant County residents have options this Thanksgiving. If you don’t feel like cooking or paying for that big meal, there are free community Thanksgiving dinners in both John Day and Prairie City.

In Prairie City, it’s happening at the PBC Teen Center sponsored by Prairie Baptist Church. It’ll be a traditional Thanksgiving meal at 1 p.m. this Thursday.

In John Day, it’ll be at the Elks Lodge from 1 until 4 p.m. The lounge will

November 21, 2016 7:50 am
education

Obama Administration Marks Five Years of the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act

President Barack Obama shakes the hand of Donald E. Larson, National President of the Fleet Reserve Association, after delivering remarks during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 11, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Five years ago today, President Obama signed into law the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, which brought about major changes to help

November 21, 2016 7:06 am
VSOs

Veterans service officer joins Umatilla County

A new face has joined the Umatilla County human services department to help local veterans access resources such as filing disability claims, pensions and other benefits.

Jennifer Olson was hired Oct. 17 from the Department of Veterans Affairs office in Walla Walla. As assistant veterans service officer, it is Olson’s job to work with the 1,800 veterans in Umatilla County and make sure they are aware of tools and programs available in the community.

“A lot of

November 21, 2016 7:03 am
Post-9/11 veterans

Everyday People: Seaside native, Marine veteran now serves schoolchildren

After 18 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Billy Eddy got the chance to continue his family’s tradition of public service on the North Coast.

Eddy was hired over the summer as the Astoria School District’s new director of transportation, maintenance and safety. He replaced Ryan Hahn, who left to become transportation director of the Gresham-Barlow School District.

Eddy retired from the Marine Corps at the end of August, the same day as the district’s new food

November 21, 2016 6:06 am
education

Transition Assistance Program improvements ease path from Servicemember to Veteran

Five years ago today, President Obama signed into law the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, which brought about major changes to help transitioning Servicemembers acquire the training and skills they need to seamlessly integrate into the civilian economy.

President Obama greets members of the audience following his remarks on Veterans at Fire Station 5 in Arlington, Va., Feb. 3, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

On the

November 21, 2016 6:00 am
healthcare

SmokefreeVET: A text message program’s role in helping Veterans quit smoking

SmokefreeVET is an innovative, text message smoking cessation program that provides daily tips and encouragement to support Veterans who are trying to stop smoking.  Launched in 2013, VA’s SmokefreeVET text message program has been used by more than 3,500 Veterans.

Cell phones are generally always with you and always on, which makes them a convenient way to deliver messages and health-related information, particularly on stopping smoking.  VHA created SmokefreeVET in collaboration with the National Cancer

November 18, 2016 7:00 am
emergency assistance

VA transitional housing program to better serve Veterans experiencing homelessness

VA’s largest transitional housing program — the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program — is transforming so that VA and its community partners can more effectively serve Veterans. The transformation involves implementing a competitive, time-limited grant process that will require currently funded community providers to reapply for funding.

The GPD program provides nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies and tribal governments with the resources they need to develop and sustain supportive programs and/or

November 18, 2016 6:48 am