Military & Veterans

Of the 317,000 veterans in Oregon, 3900 are Native American.  Historically, the First Nations have enlisted at higher rates than any other demographic, despite not being recognized as U.S. citizens until 1924. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, native veterans in Oregon and across the nation are striving for more recognition and support.

More than 70 years after he served in World War II, a Eugene-area veteran, former spy, and retired English professor has received Congressional recognition.

NPR Pentagon Correspondent Tom Bowman talks with KLCC's Rachael McDonald about his job and some of the stories he's covering. He is in Eugene for a public talk Wednesday evening at 7:00 at the UO Knight Library. 

A signed agreement has let the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation launch its first veteran service office. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, it extends an initiative between the Governor’s Office and Oregon’s tribal governments.

About a dozen people gathered in the rain to honor Major Thomas Egan, tonight. It’s been ten years since the homeless veteran’s death, and organizers say more needs to be done for people like him. 

Several Eugene-area groups have extended Veterans Day celebrations beyond November 11th.

Every three days, an Oregon veteran commits suicide. The problem has reached critical mass, prompting the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and Governor Kate Brown to make veteran suicide prevention a top priority.

The new interim Director of the Roseburg Veterans Administration Health Care system held a town hall this week on the Medical Center campus. This comes as the VA Office of the Medical Inspector prepares to release a full report on its investigation into complaints of bullying and a “toxic culture” at the facility.

The Director of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Roseburg, Doug Paxton, has stepped down. He’s the 2nd high profile resignation since a VA investigation of mismanagement at the facility.

Last month, the city of Springfield unveiled a new memorial that’s dedicated to women veterans. It’s one of only a handful of monuments across the nation that honors women in the U.S. military. KLCC’s Rachael McDonald spoke with two veterans who helped create the memorial.

Investigators from Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C. will be in Oregon next week to visit the Eugene and Roseburg V.A. healthcare facilities.

U.S. Army soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (in Washington State) are helping fight fires in southern Oregon. 200 soldiers have been deployed to the Umpqua North Complex of Fires, which has burned nearly 40-thousand acres east of Roseburg.

Across the Eugene-Springfield area, people gathered in parks and cemeteries to honor those Americans who gave their lives in times of war.

A formidable weapon against the Axis powers is visiting the Eugene Airport this weekend.  The World War Two-era bomber – a B-17 Flying Fortress called the “Aluminum Overcast” – will offer visitors a chance to learn of the aircraft's role in disrupting the Nazi supply chain.  KLCC’s Brian Bull reports:  

One of the most famous bombers of World War II is in Eugene, this week.  A B-17 Flying Fortress --deemed the “Madras Maiden” -- touched down Monday, as part of an ongoing effort to educate people about the war against the Axis…and the airmen who served.  KLCC’s Brian Bull reports. 

Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy visited the White House this week to be honored by First Lady Michelle Obama for the city’s work to house homeless veterans.

On Veteran’s Day, Friday, the City of Springfield will unveil a new Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial at Willamalane Park.

Not everyone can trek to our nation's capitol to see the real thing. So for the past 30 years, a smaller version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall has traveled the country.

On Thursday the replica wall opened at Skinner Butte Park in Eugene.

Congressman Peter DeFazio has announced federal grant funding of nearly $1 million to help homeless veterans in southwestern Oregon.

A California couple has donated a valuable lot of land in Roseburg. They’ve asked a local non-profit to develop it for veteran housing.

Wednesday marks the one year anniversary of the death of Brian Babb. The Oregon Army National Guard veteran was shot by Eugene Police while suffering from a mental health crisis. His family is holding a benefit Wednesday in Eugene to celebrate Babb’s life.

There is a memorial to U.S. women veterans in Washington D.C. The City of Springfield wants to build one in Oregon. Women vets met Monday to talk about what it will look like.