ASHLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment were formally mobilized during a ceremony held at Raider Stadium on the campus of Southern Oregon University on Sunday. About 200 citizen-soldiers will be part of a Multinational Force and Observers Mission in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary
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The recently renovated Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Deschutes Memorial Garden in Bend has been vandalized, and not for the first time — distressing many veterans, especially those who help oversee the monument.
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., issued the following statement Monday marking one year since the Hamas-led terrorist attack, and resulting military engagement and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and across the region: “It is with heavy hearts that we commemorate one year since Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. “As
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Final effort honors Gold Star Families of 6,000 veterans who made ultimate sacrifice BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sept. 29, the last Sunday in September, was designated by the U.S. Congress as Gold Star Mother’s Day in 1936 and later revised as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day. “On that special day, we will dedicate the
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Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) honored four Central Oregon businesses with Patriot Awards on Tuesday for the key role they play in supporting employees in the military part-time: BestMed Urgent Care, Knife River, Mission 22 and Waddell Electric.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The third Friday in September is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. To mark the solemn occasion Bend Heroes Foundation and volunteers will install military service and first responder flags at the Bend Heroes Memorial this Friday. There are 21 MIAs from Bend with their names specially marked on the granite monument. We
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HILLSBORO, Ore. (KTVZ) — The remains of U.S. Army Private William E. Calkins were laid to rest at Fir Lawn Memorial Park in Hillsboro on Friday during a memorial service honoring the World War II soldier, who died in a prisoner of war camp in the Philippines in 1942 and whose remains were identified using
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Honor Flight of Central Oregon is gearing up for its final meeting in preparation for the upcoming Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., from Sept. 18-21. The meeting will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the VFW in Redmond, located at 491 SW Veterans Way in
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A mobilization ceremony for soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team was held Friday at the Salem Armory Auditorium, marking the start of their upcoming deployment with the NATO-led Kosovo Force for a year-long mission. During the ceremony, members of the 41st IBCT were honored as they
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The remains of a missing World War II soldier from Oregon have been identified and are set to return to the state for burial, federal authorities announced Thursday. The remains of U.S. Army Private William Calkins from Washington County were identified after being exhumed along with other unknown soldiers buried at the
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Eric Tegethoff, Oregon News Service PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) Oregon has more than 270,000 veterans, and many of them may not know they’re eligible for home modification grants through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. An AARP survey found 60% of veterans aged 45 and older weren’t aware of grants available through the VA. Juanita Jimenez-Soto, AARP national
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FOREST GROVE, Ore. (KTVZ) – About 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, accompanied by many family and friends, were formally recognized during their mobilization ceremony held at Pacific University on Friday as they prepared for a year-long mobilization in the Middle East. Prior to departing overseas, they will
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BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, the Adjutant General of Oregon, and senior leaders visited National Guard members deployed for wildfire response efforts on Tuesday6, underscoring the Guard’s crucial role in protecting Oregon’s communities. Gronewold’s itinerary included stops at the Harney County Fire Camp and a helicopter staging area near Cottage Grove, where
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., introduced a bipartisan bill Thursday to end the Selective Service. The Selective Service runs an annual budget of more than $31 million per year, preparing for a draft that has not occurred since 1973. “The Selective Service is a long-outdated program
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Forestry said Monday it has ordered four hand crews through the Oregon National Guard, the latest step in a wide-ranging effort to contain and put out over 100 wildfires across the state, several that have grown to “mega-fire” status of over 100,000 acres. Through Governor Kotek’s State of
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A taphouse in Crooked River Ranch honored military veterans with a fundraiser on Saturday. At Over the Edge Taphouse, the parking lot was flooded with vibrant classic colored cars for its Cruise-In for a Cause Car Show.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – After hearing in Bend from veterans concerned about long wait times to access health care at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) is questioning Secretary Denis McDonough regarding the department’s position on allowing veterans to pursue community care. Chavez-DeRemer’s letter sent Thursday relays concerns raised during her recent Veterans Policy Forum in
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — As global tensions rise and military recruitment faces challenges, the Oregon National Guard is playing a vital role in supporting the Selective Service System, ensuring the state remains prepared for potential national emergencies. The Selective Service System, an independent agency within the executive branch, is responsible for rapidly providing personnel to
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek joined the National Guard Bureau and the Oregon Military Department on Friday for the unveiling of the first F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet at the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard.“Oregon’s location in our nation places us in a critical position for national air defense. Today’s
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The 142nd Wing out of the Portland Air National Guard Base in Portland will conduct Independence Day flyovers for ceremonies and parades at locations throughout Oregon. Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle fighter jets are scheduled to conduct flyovers at the following community locations at or around the designated times on Thursday, July
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