National Guard Holds Bend Reintegration Summit
With Memorial Day still fresh on the minds of many Americans, Sen. Ron Wyden and the Oregon National Guard took the time Thursday to think about our veterans, and how to help them reintegrate into society after their time at war.
They held a summit Thursday morning at the Bend Armory with the goal to bring veteran services together in a coordinated effort.
?There are a lot of different groups that are providing different services and things for the vets, and this is one way to find out who they are and make the contact with them,? said Gary Dotson of the Redmond American Legion.
?Gotta support these guys and girls coming back from overseas,? said Gus Obery of the Redmond American Legion. ?It’s a tough world for them right now, so I believe this type of event is very important.?
Wyden said, ?What we’re trying to do today with this wonderful reintegration program is to make sure that our soldiers that are coming back, and we’re especially seeing those coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, that they know that we’re there for them.?
When many vets return, along with their families, they are faced with a number of challenges. And with funding drying up in certain areas, the summit was an effort to remind those in the community how great the need remains.
?We want to do everything within our means possible to make sure all of our veterans coming home have everything we can possibly provide that helps them with education, an outstanding career,? said Master Sgt, Phillip Jacques of the Oregon National Guard.
?If they need help, get them back on their feet. Give them a hand up and not a handout,? said Jacques. ?They can handle a tremendous amount of responsibility, and they have a lot they can bring back to the community. ?
The Oregon Guard hopes to continue the discussion, knowing there are many people that care and are willing to make a difference, together.
?It just takes one person in that community to just say, ‘How are you doing today? Welcome home’ — and that is their welcome home,? said Jacques.
The Oregon National Guard hopes to hold another reintegration summit in the fall, connecting veterans and their families with local agencies in the community.
