FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2023
** Notice of Meeting **
Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
(Douglas County, Ore.) The next meeting of the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) will take place on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 11:30 am, in Room 310 at the Douglas County Courthouse located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, Oregon.
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch the meeting via video conference or listen via phone. Members of the public who wish to watch/listen to this meeting can use the options listed below. For information on how you can watch or listen to this meeting, please see the agenda or contact Koree Tate at kdtate@co.douglas.or.us or call (541) 957-7790.
The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at www.co.douglas.or.us.
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Contact: Koree Tate
LPSCC Program & Partnership Coordinator | Douglas County Juvenile Department
Phone: (541) 957-7790 | Email: kdtate@co.douglas.or.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2023
Keyes Honored with Award From Vietnam Veterans of America
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice and Tim Freeman are excited to announce that Mary Newman-Keyes, the Douglas County Veterans Service Office Director was recently honored with the prestigious ‘Honorary Life Membership’ award from the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). The award was presented to Keyes by the Umpqua Valley’s VVA Chapter #805. The “Honorary Life Membership” award from the VVA is a prestigious honor only awarded to a select number of individuals each year who dedicate their lives to helping and serving veterans, but would not otherwise be eligible to obtain a VVA membership.
Bill Duncan, President of Umpqua Valley’s VVA Chapter #805 presented Keyes with this award during a recent VVA meeting. The National VVA Board of Directors approved the award in January this year and the certificate and letter were sent to VVA Chapter #805 by National VVA President, John McManus. Keyes was presented with this award for her dedicated service to Veterans as the Douglas County Veterans Service Officer and for her continued support of local veterans and veteran organizations. Duncan was instrumental in nominating Keyes on behalf of himself and other members of VVA Chapter #805.
“Our veterans are often faced with challenges and obstacles and at times they do not know where to turn for help. As Vietnam Veterans, we work hard to advocate for our fellow service members, and make sure that those who serve our great nation receive the care and respect they deserve. But, we also need assistance from our community to help our veterans. All of us at Chapter #805 are proud to call Mary one of our own. She is an angel. She does so much for the veterans of our community. What she does, she does not out of duty, but from her heart. She has calmed our fears and gone to bat for us when we felt we were not being appreciated. We’ve never heard a bad word spoken about Mary, she goes above and beyond. This is a rare honor, and we are very proud to be able to honor her with this membership award,” stated Roger Boucock, Vice President, VVA Chapter #805
According to the VVA, the honorary life membership requires the signed recommendation and approval from the National VVA Board of Directors. Inducted VVA honorary life members will be able to attend meetings and speak, but will not be able to make motions, vote, or hold an office.
An Honorary Life Membership to VVA may be requested from the following:
- A VVA National Officer, National Board Member, the Conference of State Council Presidents, a State Council, or a Chapter for an individual not otherwise eligible for VVA membership.
- A VVA State Council for a DoD-designated MIA veteran who resided in said state or by a Chapter for a DoD-designated MIA veteran who resided in the Chapter’s community or areas served.
Criteria for consideration for an Honorary Life Membership to VVA:
- An individual who has provided support through the public or social media (radio, TV, Internet, newspaper) on veteran issues and other veteran-related endeavors undertaken by the National organization, State Council, or Chapter.
- An individual who is elected or appointed governmental duties (national, state, or local) that allow him/her the opportunity to encourage/support veteran-related legislature that improves or impacts the lives of VVA members, their families, or all veterans.
- An individual who by their own monetary stature has continually provided “financial or pro bono” support to VVA National, State Council, or Chapter that has assisted us with our mission to provide service to veterans and families.
- An individual who has been instrumental in providing veterans with support and/or services that improves or beneficially impacts the lives of veterans.
“Mary is an exemplary employee and a trusted ally among the Veterans of Douglas County. She is affectionately referred to as “Saint Mary” by many of the local veterans for whom she has helped. Mary is often praised for her compassion, thoroughness and knowledge when helping Veterans. My fellow Commissioners and I congratulate her on this well-deserved honor,” commented Commissioner Tim Freeman.
Keyes served as the Douglas County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) from 2001 to 2013, when she left to take on the same role for Benton County. In January 2018, she returned as Director and VSO for the Douglas County Veterans Service Office. She continues to serve local veterans in that role today. Douglas County has always been a hot spot for retired veterans from all over the country. The motto on our welcome sign as you enter Douglas County reads, “We Honor Veterans” and we mean it. Our Commissioners and Veterans Service Office place a high priority on putting veterans first, and our local veteran service organizations and community members spend countless hours focusing on the needs of veterans and their families.
“I would consider this one of the greatest honors of my life. I’m so grateful to serve these Veterans and listen to their stories,” said Keyes. “All throughout my life I have been awe-struck by how their stories and personal recollections of military service are filled with acts of valor and unselfish duty all in the name of protecting our great country. Their acts of bravery and decency are so moving and important and need to be shared with future generations. I feel honored to acknowledge the incredible deeds the Vietnam Vets and all Vets have done for us.”
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Contact: Tamara Howell, Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | (541) 670-2804 cell | (541) 957-4896 office | tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us
Photo: ©K.Trenkle-Douglas County. Attachment: Letter from VVA.
Vietnam Veterans of America
VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA strives to achieve the following: Aggressively advocate on issues important to veterans; Seek full access to quality health care for veterans; Identify the full range of disabling injuries and illnesses incurred during military service; Hold government agencies accountable for following laws mandating veterans’ health care; Create a positive public perception of Vietnam veterans; Seek the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs; Support the next generation of America’s war veterans and serve our communities.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2023
Honoring Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
Commissioner Freeman Featured Speaker
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman was honored to be asked to be the featured speaker at the sixth annual “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” service held today at the Roseburg VA National Cemetery. The annual event is hosted locally by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Umpqua Valley Chapter #805 and Roseburg VA Health Care Center. March 29, 2023 commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the end of United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Commissioner Tom Kress was also in attendance to honor our local Vietnam Veterans.
Wednesday, March 29, was formally designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day in 2017 in a proclamation by the President of the United States. It was created "to give Americans the opportunity to say 'Welcome Home' to a group of veterans who never got the reception they deserved when they returned to the United States.” The date coincides with the thirteen-year Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War which began in 2012 and will continue through March 29, 2025. A copy of the Presidential Proclamation from 2017 declaring the day can be found at https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/assets/1/7/Presidential_Proclamation_2.pdf.
To start his speech, Commissioner Freeman recognized and thanked the event organizers for including him, “Thank you Honorable Veterans of the Vietnam War, Vietnam Veterans of America Umpqua Valley Chapter 805, President Bill Duncan, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 805, President Jennifer Ellis, Douglas County Veteran Group Leaders, with special thanks to President Carol Hunt of the Douglas County Wings of Love and Roseburg National VA Cemetery Technician Dan Carver.” He then spoke about the meaning of this special remembrance day and “this time of honoring some of the toughest and most capable warriors ever asked by America to go in harm’s way, Our Vietnam War Veterans.”
“I remain both amazed and in awe of your strength of character, and for the resilience you have shown from what you have overcome. You stepped forward and served in an unpopular war when our country called, and you did not hesitate to do your duty. Your dedication and sacrifice were ignored and belittled by America. The only welcome home many of you received was given by your immediate family or hostile demonstrators. I do not believe America will ever apologize to you properly or ask for forgiveness appropriately for the shameful way you were treated in years past. You should have received shouts of “Welcome Home and Well Done!” Hopefully America’s conscience has been awakened by this past injustice toward you and in some ways be healing for you. This continues to be my hope,” stated Commissioner Freeman.
He concluded his speech by stating, “I say in the sincerest, and strongest way possible to each Vietnam War Veteran, ‘You have been, you are and always shall be honored and welcomed in this your home.’ Thank you again for including me in this time of remembrance on this 50th anniversary celebration. May God Bless Vietnam War Veterans and may God Bless America!”
The National Vietnam War Veterans Day service included a welcome salute from VVA Vice President, Roger Boucock, an invocation and benediction by veteran James Little, posting of the colors, 28-gun salute and playing of “Taps” by the VVA #805 Color Guard, honorary eight bell tolls by Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #805 (AVVA) member Dawn Waite, posting the memorial Vietnam Veterans Wreath by AVVA, a recitation of the Vietnam poem, “Across the Sea” by veteran Don Adams, bagpipes by veteran John Pierson with Military Honors by the Pipes
While not the end of the Vietnam War, March 29, 1973 marks the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. They “furled unit flags, packed belongings and left,” an excerpt from ‘Vietnam Veterans Day offers chance to say 'welcome home' — and clear up misconceptions’ by Frank Lennon, journalist for The Providence Journal. It was also the day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. Today we honor everyone who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. For more information about National Vietnam Veterans Day log onto: https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/about/national_vietnam_war_veterans_day/.
The Douglas County Commissioners know it is a privilege to be able to honor Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice for our country.