A Personal Story

We have passed the 10,000 mark of awarding the Oregon Honorable Service Medal to veterans from all over our state and nation in just 3 1/2 years. With every medal there is a story to tell about every veteran and with an average of 3 people who attend for each veteran's medal there are thousands more about how it affected them as well. .

We have never advertised the medal, it must be sought after instead. Applications have grown by word of mouth from one veteran to another to one organization after another. The medal presentation has deeply touched not only veterans who have received it, but magnified as each veteran received one has gone on to help presenting them to others. It is magnified again by family members allowed to view this event honoring their loved ones who served whether the veteran is living or deceased.
Again, this growth has been all about stories. Curiosity in some cases of veterans who have long since gone closeted their own tales and who desired no further contact or reminder of government service. The growth of this grass roots program started in one community, then went to a state level which has now resulted in contacts from nearly 40 states who have asked about copying it along with 5 countries.

The reasons are probably many but what is believed to be the primary fuel is that the Oregon Medal program does not come from the government - it is a thank you from the citizens in our state that benefit from the umbrella of freedom and liberties veteran service provides us all. We have had veterans from all across the nation and other countries come to Oregon just to receive their medal (as it can only be presented inside Oregon borders).

Although we have heard thousands of stories and each one very touching in its own way, we have never been able to share them legally because we never asked for permission, asked to have them signed granting us permission to share them and verify authenticity.

We would very much like to share your letter and thoughts about the medal and ceremony that you have provided or anything else you would like to share with veterans and family members of veterans who often are reluctant to come to a ceremony because they have no idea of the peace it can bring. It is our hope that by sharing stories such as yours that come directly from the people who have experienced it, it can be beneficial to others. If you would like to help, please send a story of yours by downloading the form you will find here. Please include your signature and information we can use to contact you to verify authority and permission. Thank you in advance.
If you have any questions you can ask them by email or in person at the contacts below.

Thanks for sharing.

John Neuman
VOAMC President 2010
John@veteransoforegon.com
Phone: ( 503) 622-6084 Home, (503) 622-6086 FAX

Here is just one story that we would like to share demonstrating what we are talking about;

If you would like to share your story with us, please follow the link below.

Statement of Support

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