Supporting Oregon Troops and their Families Please sign up today as a volunteer or to partner with Operation Homefront of Oregon • Mechanics • Locksmiths • Transportation Providers • Towing Services • Computer Rescue • Plumbers • Electricians • Refurbished Computers • General Handyman • Appliance Repair • Movers • Car Repairs • Other Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. Operation Homefront partners with local businesses who offer pro-bono or discounted services to help miltiary families in crisis. When a need arises we use donated dollars to help offset the costs to military families so that their loved one serving does not have to worry about the homefront, but can concentrate on the very important task at hand. Operation Homefront Oregon Chapter Contact: Dale Clark Phone: (541) 745-5990 Toll Free Number: (800) 291-0131 28709 Robison Rd. Monmouth, OR 97361

Rally for the Troops,Corvallis, Oregon View Album (Opens in new window/tab) More pictures coming soon! The Oregon Chapter of Operation Homefront invites all who wish to honor the brave men and women of the U.S. military and our veterans to join the weekly rallies which are held on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in front of the Benton County Courthouse, 120 NW 4th St. in Corvallis. Extra flags and signs are available for those who need them. See additional photo collections (open in new window): 2009 Armed Forces Day, Corvallis, OR Operation Homefront Oregon Events 2009 Support the Troops Rallies previous to 2009 2008 Armed Forces Day Troops Rally 2008 Freedom Walk, Albany, Oregon 2008 Operation Christmas Hope 2007 Armed Forces Day Tribute 2007 Memorial Day Celebration 2007 Freedom Walk, Albany, Oregon 2007 Operation Christmas Hope

Needed: PS3 (Play Station System)

WOW!!!! We recieved a wonderful gift at the [Operation Homefront] office today!!!!! National sent us a World Tour Guitar Hero!!!!!! Now we need to find a donor for a PS3 system so we can use it. How awesome is that??? I betcha we get some soldiers coming in when word gets out!!!! Please ask around to see if you may know someone who would provide us with the system so we can hook it up!!!! Until then, Dale (and the rest of us) will enjoy the quiet... LOL!!!!
Karen Carver
Operation Homefront/Oregon
Operations Manager
Volunteer Director
(O) 541-981-2186

In early August, the Oregon Chapter of Operation Homefront has said goodbye to the "Military Express" location (Albany’s Little Red Caboose at 2nd and Ellsworth) and moved to a larger location in Albany's Heritage Mall, 1895 14th Ave SE in Albany where they set up their office and have ample space for a food pantry. This new location will allow OHO to better serve the military families to which the organization is dedicated. Watch for news and updates.

Operation Homefront is having a diaper drive to collect diapers of all sizes and baby formula for our military food pantries across Oregon. We are currently experiencing the largest deployment of troops since WWII and this is leaving many families across the state in need of some assistance. Operation Homefront strives to be there for these families in this time of need and we are reaching out to the community to help us achieve this goal.

If you would like to donate diapers, formula, non-perishable food items or items for our monthly care packages, please contact the Operation Homefront office at (541) 981-2186. or find out how you can be a volunteer.

LOCAL NOTE: The Benton County Republican Women are collecting goods for Operation Homefront at Republican Headquarters, 1760 SW 3rd St. in Corvallis. Office hours are 10am-2pm Monday-Thursday. During the summer months, you might want to call (541) 754-9155 first to make sure staff is on hand.

Dale Clark, President of Operation Homefront—Oregon informs us that the organization has begun collecting quilts and afghans to mail to our Wounded Warriors who are medical-evacuated from Germany to the United States. "We are calling this program 'BLANKETS FOR SOLDIERS'. When our injured soldiers arrive in Germany, they often have nothing on their backs but a hospital gown. This is also how they arrive back in the USA. These quilts will bring comfort and warmth to them on their trip home. We will also be hand-delivering quilts to those already at Military Hospitals on the West Coast. Please help us get your quilts and afghans around the shoulders of our Wounded Warriors." For more information on “BLANKETS FOR SOLDIERS,” please contact Christine Strawn, Director of Gift Boxes for Operation Homefront Oregon, (541) 258-8593.

Some of our soldiers in Iraq have been exposed to radiation and have had subsequent serious medical issues, a virulent form of leukemia and other severe cancers. For some, these illnesses were symptom-free or of seemingly little consequence for some time before a deadly diagnosis was made. For this reason, returning soldiers must request a Gulf War Examination immediately. Though it it a two-day test, it is free and lives may depend on it. Please spread the word to your family and friends. Contact Christine Strawn immediately with any info you may have. She says, "The only way we can help our soldiers is if we band together. They have fought for us and now we must fight for them." Read Oregon Guard: Troops possibly exposed to toxic chemical in Iraq, published February 11, 2009 by the Corvallis Gazette-Times.

Rest in Peace, Young Warrior - Remembering Andrew Rounds (22) of Lebanon, Oregon. Andrew was deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq in 2004 with the 1st and 62nd Air Support units, called Tropic Lightning, out of Hawaii. His duties included soldier support services at the Kirkuk base. After returning home, Andrew lived with his parents in Waterloo. He was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2007 and succumed on October 20, 2007. Our deepest sympathy to Andrew's family. We won't forget Andrew or his struggle.

Please visit www.iraqradiation.com, a site dedicated to the soldiers and their families who have battled these exposure related diseases and want others to understand the severity so that no soldier goes without early testing.

April 2009 - Below is a NEW list supplied by Marilyn Meyers (541) 926-4606, Care Package Director of the Oregon Chapter of Operation Homefront. Your contributions may be dropped off at Republican Headquarters, 1760 SW 3rd in Corvallis, or at the Operation Homefront Office in Heritage Mall in Albany. Thank you. (Download this list HERE (pdf).

Food items (this is something the troops really like to get)

• Bean Dip, Salsa & Chips
• Beef Jerky
• Breakfast Bars
• Cup of Soup (just add water)
• Canned Soups (with pull top lids)
• Canned Chicken (with pull top lids)
• Canned Fruit (with pull top lids)
• Cookies (in small packages or homemade wrapped in clear plastic wrap, no chocolate in the summer; it will melt)
• Coffee (instant, freeze dried or packets)
• Crackers (plain, flavored, with cheese, Ritz, etc.)
• Fruit Snacks (individual pocket-sized packets)
• Granola Bars
• Hot Chocolate or Hot Cider
• Individual Drink Mixes (to be added to bottled water)
• Instant Oatmeal
• Microwave Popcorn
• Pretzels (individual pocket-sized packets)
• Powdered Drink Mixes (that can be added to bottled water)
• Raisins (individual pocket-sized packets)
• Salted Nuts (individual pocket-sized packets)
• Snack Foods (individual pocket-sized packets)
• Sunflower Seeds (individual pocket-sized packets)
• Trail Mix (individual pocket-sized packets)
• Tuna in Foil Pouches or Tuna & Crackers
• Sugar and cream packets

Items to help with off time:

• Batteries: AA and AAA
• Canned air (to clean dust and sand from computers, weapons and other equipment)
• CD's containing Ipod or MP3 music
• CD's Music (new or used)
• DVD Movies (new or used - no war movies)
• Games (small travel size are best)
• Ink Pens (new or used as long as they write)
• Magazines
• OREGON NEWS PAPERS
• Paperback Books
• School Supplies and Toys (to hand out to local children
• Small mirrors (like for lockers)
• Spiral Note Book (pocket size)

Personal Hygiene

• Athlete's Foot Treatment
• Baby wipes
• Dental Floss
• Deodorant
• Disposable Razors
• Eye drops
• Mouth Wash
• Shampoo
• Shaving Lotion for Men
• Shower Body Wash
• Body Powder (small containers)
• Foot Powder (small containers)
• Tooth Brush
• Tooth Paste
• Wash Cloths

Comfort Items

• Band-Aid's
• Boot Socks (White or black, no company logo)
• Bug Repellents
• Eye Drops
• Hand and Body Lotion
• Nail Clippers
• Neosporin (or generic brand)
• Pain Relievers (Advil, Ibuprofen, Tylenol or other in small bottles)
• Vitamins

Females Like and Need:

• Bobby Pins
• Claw Clips
• Hair Clips (brown, black or for blonds)
• Colorful Wash Cloths or Shower Sponges
• Facial Cleanser
• Feminine Smelling Deodorant
• Feminine Looking Disposable Razors
• Feminine Protection (tampons, maxi pads or both)
• Feminine Shampoo & Conditioner
• Feminine Shaving Lotion
• Feminine Smelling Body Wash for Showers
• Hair Ties (brown, black or tan)
• Midol (or something for cramps)
• Nail Files
• Small Mirrors (locker size)
• Tweezers

Thank you,
Benton County Republican Women
Operation Homefront Oregon

Supporting Deployed Troops from Benton County

Sponsored by Kay Hunnemuller

Please pick up some of the comfort goods from the "items requested by our troops" list while you're out and about and drop them off at Republican Headquarters. Kay tells us that the troops especially appreciate white cotton boot socks as they never seem to have enough!

Supporting Nationally Recognized “Troops Support” Organizations

BCRW has contributed to Soldier's Angels Valour-IT, a program which provides voice-activated laptop computers to injured U.S. Soldiers undergoing treatment for arm and hand injuries or amptutations at major military medical centers. Theses computers give our servicemen and women the instant capability to send and receive messages from friends and loved ones, surf the 'Net' and communicate with buddies still in the field without having to press a key or move a mouse. This capability is important to their recovery. The Club has also made a contribution to Spirit of America, a civilian organization that responds to the requests and needs of our troops.

Individuals are encouraged to look into these organizations and projects. Donations are tax deductible and contributions go directly to the vital programs these organizations provide.

• Soldier’s Angels - This organization is ‘highly’ regarded by the troops and by many Milbloggers. Please read about Valour-IT a project the BCRW supports.
• Spirit of America - Be sure to read about the "Snake Eater" and other projects in which this organization is engaged. BCRW initially supported the Snake Eater and now they contribute to SOA's Unrestricted fund.
• Operation Homefront and the local Oregon Chapter of Operation Homefront - This organization cares for the families our soldiers leave behind. BCRW supports the Oregon Chapter whole-heartedly.

Letter from Coos County RW Member & soldier formerly deployed in Afghanistan

Cheryl Ivanov, a member of the Coos County Republican Women and a member of the armed forces was serving in in Afghanistan with her husband, Ogi Ivanov, when, unfortunately, Ogi was severely injured. The Ivanov family is now in San Antonio where Ogi is undergoing treatment at Brook Army Medical Center. We are linking to the letters Cheryl writes to her club members.

Our best wishes to Ogi and a huge 'thank you' to both Ogi and Cheryl for their service to our country. If you wish to send a note their address is 21121 Gregory Lane, San Antonio, TX 78264.

"When we returned from Iraq in 2004 the City of Albany closed the streets and gave us a parade; they lined the streets and did everything but put olive branches in our hair as they treated us like Caesar's of old." -- SFC Scott Nyquist

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount of up to and including his life." - Author Unknown

"We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -- John F. Kennedy

"A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." -- John Stuart Mill

"It was soldiers who walked in and liberated Auschwitz, not a bunch of peace activists." -- Unknown