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News Release

MEDIA ADVISORY: Oregon Guard Soldiers Honored At Jan. 11 Demobilization Ceremony In Medford (Photo) - 01/09/26

WHAT: Demobilization ceremony honoring Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment returning from Multinational Force and Observers mission in Egypt
WHO: Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, The Adjutant General, Oregon, will preside. Nearly 200 Oregon National Guard Soldiers who deployed to the Sinai Peninsula will be honored.
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at 1 p.m.
WHERE: South Medford High School, 1551 Cunningham Avenue, Medford, Oregon 97501
BACKGROUND: The 1-186th Infantry Regiment, headquartered in Southern Oregon, was mobilized Oct. 20, 2024, and served with the Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai Peninsula. While deployed, the unit supervised implementation of security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace. The unit returned to Oregon on Oct. 3, 2025. The 1-186th previously mobilized for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration security, COVID-19 response in Oregon, and overseas operations in the Horn of Africa (2019-2020), Afghanistan (2014-2015), and Iraq (2009-2010).
MEDIA COVERAGE: Media are invited to cover the ceremony. For media coordination and interview requests, contact Lt. Col. Bomar, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Director.
 
Released Photo: 
241020-Z-CH590-1140: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, render a hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem as they take part in their formal mobilization ceremony on October 20, 2024 held on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon. The 1-186th Infantry Regiment has returned from its deployment to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission was to oversee the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and to use best efforts to prevent any violation of its terms. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Attached Media Files: 241020-Z-CH590-1140.jpg,

MEDIA ADVISORY: Oregon Guard Soldiers Honored At Jan. 11 Demobilization Ceremony In Medford (Photo) - 01/09/26

WHAT: Demobilization ceremony honoring Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment returning from Multinational Force and Observers mission in Egypt
WHO: Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, The Adjutant General, Oregon, will preside. Nearly 200 Oregon National Guard Soldiers who deployed to the Sinai Peninsula will be honored.
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at 1 p.m.
WHERE: South Medford High School, 1551 Cunningham Avenue, Medford, Oregon 97501
BACKGROUND: The 1-186th Infantry Regiment, headquartered in Southern Oregon, was mobilized Oct. 20, 2024, and served with the Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai Peninsula. While deployed, the unit supervised implementation of security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace. The unit returned to Oregon on Oct. 3, 2025. The 1-186th previously mobilized for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration security, COVID-19 response in Oregon, and overseas operations in the Horn of Africa (2019-2020), Afghanistan (2014-2015), and Iraq (2009-2010).
MEDIA COVERAGE: Media are invited to cover the ceremony. For media coordination and interview requests, contact Lt. Col. Bomar, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Director.
 
Released Photo: 
241020-Z-CH590-1140: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, render a hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem as they take part in their formal mobilization ceremony on October 20, 2024 held on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon. The 1-186th Infantry Regiment has returned from its deployment to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission was to oversee the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and to use best efforts to prevent any violation of its terms. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Attached Media Files: 241020-Z-CH590-1140.jpg,

Cecil Owens Appointed Oregon State Chair For Employer Support Of The Guard And Reserve (Photo) - 12/22/25

SALEM, Ore. — Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Cecil Owens has been appointed Oregon’s new state chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program that helps strengthen relationships between the Guard and Reserve members and their civilian employers.


The ESGR program was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between service members and employers, educate employers about their responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and recognize workplaces that support military employees.


Oregon is home to about 8,100 Guard and Reserve members. These Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen regularly deploy overseas and are also activated at home to support a variety of missions, including disaster response.
 

As state chair, Owens will lead a statewide team of volunteers focused on employer outreach, awards, and education programs. The position is the highest volunteer leadership role for ESGR in Oregon and is appointed by the Secretary of Defense.

“After 30 years of military service, ESGR gives me the chance to continue serving Soldiers and Airmen by ensuring they have strong support from their employers,” Owens said. “Supportive employers are essential to readiness and to the well-being of our service members and their families.”

Owens currently serves as director of the Oregon National Guard State ESGR Committee. He has also held leadership roles at both the state and national levels within ESGR.
 

ESGR relies on trained volunteers to help employers and service members navigate military service obligations and workplace responsibilities, resolve conflicts, and highlight employers who go above and beyond in supporting the Guard and Reserve. 

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Cecil Owens to this vital leadership role,” said John Sampa, national chair for ESGR. “His dedication and experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to support our nation’s dedicated service members and their civilian employers.”

 

------------------------------------------

 

More information about ESGR and employer support resources is available at www.esgr.mil. A video interview with Owens is available at: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/976045/oregon-esgr-honors-cunningham-welcomes-
owens-new-state-chair

 



-30-

 

Released Images: 

 

251110-A-ZJ128-5833.jpg: Oregon Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Chair Cecil Owens (left) pauses for a photo with Benton County commissioners and the Benton County sheriff at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis, Ore., Nov. 10, 2025. (Oregon National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne)

 

251110-A-ZJ128-6880.jpg: Oregon Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Chair Cecil Owens (left) pauses for a photo with Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan (center) and Col. Paul Dyer, commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis, Ore., Nov. 10, 2025. The group gathered after Owens and Dyer presented Benton County Government, Grogan’s employer, with the ESGR Seven Seals Award. (Oregon National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne)

 

251101-A-FS713-7026: Oregon Employer Support Guard & Reserve Chair Cecil Owens (Oregon National Guard photo by Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

Attached Media Files: 251110-A-ZJ128-5833.jpg, 251101-A-FS713-7026.jpg, 251110-A-ZJ128-6880.jpg,

Cecil Owens Appointed Oregon State Chair For Employer Support Of The Guard And Reserve (Photo) - 12/22/25

SALEM, Ore. — Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Cecil Owens has been appointed Oregon’s new state chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program that helps strengthen relationships between the Guard and Reserve members and their civilian employers.


The ESGR program was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between service members and employers, educate employers about their responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and recognize workplaces that support military employees.


Oregon is home to about 8,100 Guard and Reserve members. These Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen regularly deploy overseas and are also activated at home to support a variety of missions, including disaster response.
 

As state chair, Owens will lead a statewide team of volunteers focused on employer outreach, awards, and education programs. The position is the highest volunteer leadership role for ESGR in Oregon and is appointed by the Secretary of Defense.

“After 30 years of military service, ESGR gives me the chance to continue serving Soldiers and Airmen by ensuring they have strong support from their employers,” Owens said. “Supportive employers are essential to readiness and to the well-being of our service members and their families.”

Owens currently serves as director of the Oregon National Guard State ESGR Committee. He has also held leadership roles at both the state and national levels within ESGR.
 

ESGR relies on trained volunteers to help employers and service members navigate military service obligations and workplace responsibilities, resolve conflicts, and highlight employers who go above and beyond in supporting the Guard and Reserve. 

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Cecil Owens to this vital leadership role,” said John Sampa, national chair for ESGR. “His dedication and experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to support our nation’s dedicated service members and their civilian employers.”

 

------------------------------------------

 

More information about ESGR and employer support resources is available at www.esgr.mil. A video interview with Owens is available at: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/976045/oregon-esgr-honors-cunningham-welcomes-
owens-new-state-chair

 



-30-

 

Released Images: 

 

251110-A-ZJ128-5833.jpg: Oregon Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Chair Cecil Owens (left) pauses for a photo with Benton County commissioners and the Benton County sheriff at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis, Ore., Nov. 10, 2025. (Oregon National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne)

 

251110-A-ZJ128-6880.jpg: Oregon Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Chair Cecil Owens (left) pauses for a photo with Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan (center) and Col. Paul Dyer, commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis, Ore., Nov. 10, 2025. The group gathered after Owens and Dyer presented Benton County Government, Grogan’s employer, with the ESGR Seven Seals Award. (Oregon National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne)

 

251101-A-FS713-7026: Oregon Employer Support Guard & Reserve Chair Cecil Owens (Oregon National Guard photo by Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

Attached Media Files: 251110-A-ZJ128-5833.jpg, 251101-A-FS713-7026.jpg, 251110-A-ZJ128-6880.jpg,