Salem-News.com Oregon Guard articles Page 5

Oregon Army National Guard Soldier Receives Purple Heart (PHOTOS)

The soldier is scheduled to deploy to Iraq again later this year with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

(MEDFORD, Ore.) - Staff Sgt. Aaron Johnson, from Company A, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, was awarded a Purple Heart Medal during a ceremony at the Medford Armory, March 6th, for injuries he sustained four years ago while deployed to Iraq.

Johnson received facial wounds while on patrol in northern Baghdad, on May 20th, 2004, with 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, when his vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device as he returned to Camp Victory.

Former Oregon Guard Spokesman Arnold Strong Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

Celebrating a significant promotion with his wife Margaret, his two sons and his parents; Arnold Strong's new silver oak leaves were attached to his shoulders by his parents.

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) - "Ladies and gentlemen, I present Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Strong..."

A military officer whose face is familiar to Oregon and Washington residents was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel this week at the Fort Vancouver Barracks in Washington.

Guard Home Vigil Dismantled by Oregon State Police

Despite the setback, Darr and Camp Homebound have renewed their presence on the Capitol steps complete with new signs.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Anti-war activists say that in the wee hours of morning on Sunday, February 8th, an Oregon State Trooper seized and destroyed signs protesting the upcoming deployment of the Oregon National Guard, including a memorial set up for a fallen Guard soldier.

Since November 1st, 2009, Michele Darr; a Corvallis mother of 6; has been fasting and maintaining a 24-hour presence on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem bringing awareness to the massive upcoming deployment of the Oregon National Guard.

Documentary Will Examine PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Anyone who appreciates the sacrifices of U.S. combat troops should read this.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Far too little information exists for American combat veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD.

Hundreds of thousands of men and women have been diagnosed with PTSD, and with each new deployment to the war theaters, the number grows. Outside of the standard government programs, answers for this unfortunate problem are sometimes few and far between.

Navy Plans to Take Over Oregon Coast Airspace for Military Operations

The Navy needs to rethink and abandon large parts of this entire proposal. The potential effects of new and increased military activity off the coast of Oregon could result in a general degradation of the environment, be fatal to wildlife and detrimental to the human quality of life.

(DEPOE BAY, Ore.) - I went to the US Navy’s hearing last Friday night in Newport. What an "eye opener"!!!

I was told by one of the Navy’s representatives that the Navy wants to take over the two training areas currently used by the Oregon Air National Guard. This includes the entire coastal air space and coastal waters of Oregon.

Corvallis Woman Says She Will Fast to Death to Protest Iraq War Deployment

Michele Darr says she is determined to Keep National Guard in Oregon.

(SALEM, Ore.) - On January 22nd, 2009, Michele Darr, a Corvallis mother of 6, commenced a second hunger strike in addition to the 24-hour vigil that she and members of Camp Homebound have maintained on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem since November 1st, 2008.

In an all-out effort to pass legislation giving the Governor authority to block this spring's deployment of the Oregon National Guard, Darr has decided to "fast unto death" as a means of generating the support necessary to garner sponsors for a proposed bill in the State Legislature and to engage Oregonians in the struggle to protect the troops, and keep them in Oregon, where they belong.

Oregon Air Guard Ceremony Marks Command Chief Retirement and Replacement

The Oregon Air Guard Has its own changing of the Guard in Salem.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Air National Guard said goodbye to its former command chief master sergeant, and welcomed his replacement during separate ceremonies held at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Oregon, on January 11th.

State Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark D. Russell assumed command of the state's highest enlisted position from outgoing State Command Chief Master Sgt. Rodney R. Smith in a morning ceremony attended by family, friends and coworkers.

Oregon Guard Succeeds in Response to Multi-County Crisis (PHOTOS)

During the event, 47 Soldiers and Airmen used 10 Humvees to work with incident commanders in the counties to assist with fire, police, and humanitarian missions.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon National Guard Soldiers and Airmen answered the call to assist fellow Oregonians affected by the winter storm in Columbia and Multnomah Counties, December 20th through December 28th.

Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) is the coordinating state agency for resources during an emergency. Assistance is requested from OEM by counties when they have exhausted resources at the local level.

When the request was made by the counties, OEM utilized National Guard assets to fulfill the counties needs.

Oregon Guardsmen Assist Portland Police, to Help Families in Need (PHOTOS)

Each basket contains enough food to prepare a holiday meal; bread, turkey, and dry goods, which are donated by local businesses and individuals throughout the year.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Freezing temperatures and falling snow wasn't enough to stop volunteers from distributing holiday food baskets to families throughout the Portland Metro area on December 20th.

Oregon Guard Troops Return from Afghanistan (PHOTOS)

Oregon Soldiers arrive at Portland International Airport tonight following Afghanistan deployment‏.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Members of the Oregon Army National Guard are scheduled to return to the Portland International Airport at approximately 7:00 PM, following a year-long deployment to Afghanistan.

The Soldiers were part of an Embedded Training Team, which helped train members of the Afghan National Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The unit was commanded by Lt. Col. Keith Ensley. Of the original 17 members, nine were set to return tonight. The others will join them for the demobilization ceremony on December 16th, 2008 at 11:30 AM at the Anderson Readiness Center, located at 3225 State Street, Salem, OR 97309.