September 22 - North Coast Down Syndrome, Seaside. The Annual Buddy Walk at Quatat Park was a
great event to help support those with special needs such as Down Syndrome. I
met so many amazing children who need the help and support of such a wonderful
organization. Thank you, North Coast
Down Syndrome Network and those who came to support such a worthy cause. You can continue to help as a sponsor or
volunteer by clicking the link below!
September 21 - Vancouver, Washington at the Veterans of Affairs Vancouver Campus. I had the honor of attending this very special event that honors prisoners of war (POW) and missing in action (MIA) along with my older brother who is an Iraqi veteran. I had the opportunity to speak to these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much, all I could say was thank you! My brother always tells me to thank the soldiers/veterans that came before him. The reason he tells me this is because he truly believes these men and women have paved the much needed path for his generation of veterans and/or soldiers to get the services they all deserve! I also had the privilege of listening to Former Mayor Royce Pollard (Mayor of Vancouver 1996-2009; Lt. Col., U.S. Army Retired; Former Commander of Vancouver Barracks; Purple Heart Recipient, Vietnam Veteran) and Dale Bowlin (70th Infantry Division, Europe, WWII; Wounded in France February 1945; POW, Germany February-April 1945) speak of their experiences serving our great country. It was an privilege to spend this very special day with not only my brother, but so many honorable veterans!
September 19 - Portland, Oregon at the Portland International Raceway. I had a great time at one of the largest cruise-ins on the west coast! The profits of this event all go to help local kids in need! I had the pleasure of being able to attend this particular cruise-in that featured the Multnomah Hot Rod Council (which is a great sponsor of the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program). Thank you so much to both Beaches and MHRC for inviting me to such a fun filled event!
September
19 - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Event sponsored by the Panther
Racing Team at Portland International Raceway. I had
the privilege to meet Major General Rees, a Vietnam Veteran and current General for the Oregon National Guard, Sgt. Amy Elker, Captain Howard and Sgt. Cory Grogan of the
Oregon National Guard. This was an
amazing event which helped to promote and encourage hiring National Guard
veterans. I also had the opportunity to meet Arie Luyendyk, Jr.,
IndyCar driver and candidate on "The Bachelorette Season 8". I was able to put on the gear of a professional race car driver and accompany Arie in a few laps around the track. I was in for a surprise, no one told me I would be going at the speed of 170 mph! Thank you Arie! I
would also like to thank Cambia Health who recently started a paid internship
program in an effort to hire more veterans and The Oregon National Guard's
Reintegration Team who helped facilitate the event.
September 17 – The Portland Veterans
Hospital Tour with Shaun Benson where, as the wall states when
you enter “The price of freedom is visible here". The Portland VA Medical Center is the largest VA in the state and
provides health care services to Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The following day the Joint
Commission recognized PVAMC as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for our
care for Heart Attacks, Heart Failure, Pneumonia, and Surgical Care. The Joint
Commission is the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. Congratulations on your outstanding efforts
to help and care for our veterans and thank you for such an information filled
tour of your hospital!
September
17 – Visit to Lines for Life where Military Helpline is
staffed 24/7/365 by veterans and professional volunteers. They assist all
active duty service members, veterans and their families with concerns
including alcohol and drug abuse, domestic problems, financial difficulties,
job challenges, emotional distress, Post Traumatic Stress, thoughts of suicide
and other challenges. From 2005 to 2010
service members took their own lives at a rate of approximately 1 every 36
hours. Today, a veteran takes their life every 80 minutes. This is an amazing
group of volunteers who are independent of any branch of the military or
government. All conversations remain completely anonymous, and the service member or family member can talk with them without
fear of repercussions. As put so well by
First Lady Michelle Obama “ These combat related mental health challenges are
normal, natural human responses to the violence of war. They are not in any way a sign of weakness,
and they should never be a source of shame or cause for stigma. But too often, they are misunderstood or
misdiagnosed.” For more information on Lines for Life please follow the link below!
September 15, Seattle, Washington
– Spent a fun filled day with Mandy Schendel, Miss Washington at “Sound Off!” presented by EMP Museum in
Seattle, WA. Talking Rain is an official
sponsor for the event which is now in its 12th year. Sound Off! supports the local music scene by
giving artists from different backgrounds an opportunity to showcase their
talent, perform live and connect with the larger artistic community. Thank you
Talking Rain for letting us be a part of your 25th year Celebration
in conjunction with Sound Off!.
