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Current
Projects
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XTREME LANDSCAPE MAKEOVER
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Chapter 271, with Associate Members leading the way are embarking on a bold new project, to honor veterans. We will be doing an "Extreme Landscape Makeover" of the front yard of deserving veteran who are homeowners. Our first candidate is a disabled Vietnam veteran in Salem. His home is shown above. The large fir tree in his front yard has been a problem, damaging the sidewalks and blocking drain lines, for years and he is looking forward to seeing it gone. We hope to do this vet's makeover by the last weekend of September.
We are grateful for the magnificent support of area nurserymen, whose generous donations of plant material, make this project a reality. Of course donations of cash are needed to procure hardscape material as well. If you are in a business that can supply donations of cement, rock, lumber, pond kits, or electrical supplies, call or email Ron Morgan, President, Ch 271, at chapter271president@vva-or.org or 503.931.9555, for information on contacting our Landscape Makeover Project Manager
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FREEDOM MEDALLION
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The front of the “Freedom Medallion” features The Great Seal of the United States of America with the words, “FOR FREEDOM” below.
Each point of the Single Star, represents one of the five branches of the U. S. Military Services. The Single Star, represents unity of mission in the preservation of our Freedom. The inscription on the perimeter is self explanatory.
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The reverse is inscribed with the founding principal of the VVA and the distinctive Oregon VVA emblem serves as a reminder that we continue to serve veterans. The wreath symbolizes the excellence of our cause, in insuring that the "Honorable Service and Sacrifice" made by the "newer" Generations of Veterans is Never Forgotten.
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Vietnam Veterans of America was founded on the principal that “NEVER AGAIN WILL ONE GENERATION OF VETERANS ABANDON ANOTHER”.
We, as Vietnam Veterans, have a unique opportunity to live up to this principal. We can recognize the “Honorable Service and Sacrifice” of a “ANOTHER” generation of veterans in a fashion that was never afforded us upon our return from Vietnam.
The “Freedom Medallion is designed to be presented to returning Oregon veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, by Oregon VVA Chapters and their members.
Only a Vietnam Veteran may present this “Freedom Medallion” to another veteran.
This medallion may be awarded to veterans of any generation for service in any war.
The medallion is 2 inches in diameter and weighs 2 oz.
This stunning medallion is now available for a very affordable price of $12.50, delivered. This is a fund raiser for the Oregon VVA Chapter 271, of Salem. All proceeds are used to acquire more medallions and help fund ongoing projects that either serve or honor veterans. Bulk rates are available to chapters.
Virtually everyone who has seen this exquisite medallion have purchased at least one and many have purchased as many as 20. So please, so don’t delay placing your order, they are going fast.
The “Freedom Medallion” will soon be one of the most sought after means of honoring our heroes.
To order, click here and print a PDF order form: “Freedom Medallion”
To view the beautiful Freedom Medallion Certificate, click here: Sample Certificate
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The SACRIFICE REMEMBERED FOUNDATION
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The Garden of Sacrifice and Healing is an outgrowth of the popular Freedom Medallion project. The Garden would be a public demonstration of the sentiments felt by Vietnam Veterans toward returning Veterans of current wars and conflicts, that “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another”. May their honorable service and sacrifice never be forgotten.
There will be a sculpture set in the Garden to pay homage to the permanently disabled veteran. Two other sculptures will flank the disabled veteran's sculpture, one pays tribute to the recipients of the Purple Heart and the other remembers the veterans listed as POW/MIA.
The current design is approximately 1/2 acre in size. The artist renderings above and the garden plan at the right are by Distinctive Design, Salt Lake City, Utah.
The design allows visitors to walk across the pond on granite slabs and includes a patio where they can sit and enjoy the spectacular beauty of the garden and consider the service and sacrifices of those who defend and preserve our freedom.
The Sacrifice Remembered Foundation was created by Salem VVA Chapter 271 as a non-profit organization to manage this magnificent project. The Foundation should include every Oregon VVA chapter, and all are invited to join. The VVA Oregon State Council is a proud supporter of the Foundation and this project.
The “Freedom Medallion”, depicted above, will help fund the garden. To order, click here:
“Freedom Medallion”
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If you would like to be involved bringing this project to life, contact Ron Morgan at:
The Sacrifice Remembered Foundation
6319 VETERAN’S PLACE SE
SALEM, OR 97317
Email: rhmorgan@usa.net
503.931.9555
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Project: Trees for TBI Therapy Garden
At VA Health Care Center
New Building 7 Therapy Garden
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VA Palo Alto HCS will be getting a Therapy Garden off Building 7, near the
Traumatic Brain Injury Unit
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Construction is underway
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Anticipated completion - early Fall 2009
See: http://www.palo-alto.med.va.gov/construction_paloalto.asp
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Ron Morgan, President, Chapter 271
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We shipped the espaliered acer palmatum Bloodgoods on September 16th. There was a total of 24 of them in 45 gallon and 24”box size.
On July 27th, the first of three semi trucks
filled with Oregon Nursery Stock left to be planted at their new home, the Therapy Garden at the VA Health Care Center (VAPAHCS) in Palo
Alto, California. VAPAHCS
is one of 4 Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers and the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). When Ron Morgan, Secretary of the Oregon State Council
and President of Chapter 271 for the Vietnam Veterans of America (V.V.A.) learned
that Oregon Nursery stock would be used in this project he and Chapter 271
volunteered to help in the organizing of the plants needed and in arranging the
shipment. Mr Morgan and Chapter 271 wishes to thank everyone who
contributed, with special thanks to Truck Transporation Services of Wilsonville
and Gulick Trucking of Vancouver, WA for donating the trucks and freight expense and making
this contribution from Oregon possible.
From here:  to here: 
Click on an image above, for more photos of tree selection and the TBI/PTSD Therapy Garden
We’re helping the veterans who are
coming home wounded or disabled get the medical care they need. We’re also
assisting Gulf War, Afghan War, and Iraq War veterans with benefits counseling
and other essential services to help them rebuild their lives after wartime
service.
And we’re making sure that VA
healthcare and other benefits aren’t the victims of short-sighted budget cuts
that forget the service of our new veterans, and neglect the sacrifices they
continue to make even after they come home.
Chapter 271 will continue to
lead in this effort to provide for the needs of veterans in treatment.
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Awards Ceremonies
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March 11th 2010 Medal Presentation to Troops of the 320th PSYOP Co
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Chapter 271 presented 75 soldiers of the 320th PSYOP Co "Freedom Medallions,
thanking them individually for their Sacrifices and Honorable Service.
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Donors for the 2009 Christmas Trees for Vets & Families
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Joel Neuschwander, Neuschwander’s Nursery
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(Photos will be here)
Jim Erwin, Misty Firs Tree Farm
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(Photos will be here)
Dan Rickel, Rickels Tree Farm
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(Photos will be here)
Ken Cook, McKenzie Farms
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Palo Alto, CA Therapy Garden Shippers
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Greg Brown, ? Hage, Larry Hage, and Ron Morgan, Pres, VVA Ch 271
Hage Bros., Woodburn, Oregon
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Truck Transport Service, Wilsonville, Oregon
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For extraordinary generosity, in providing transportation for perishable plant products needed to complete the Veterans’ Therapy Garden at the Palo Alto Veterans’ Healthcare Center in Palo Alto, California, the three companies represented here, are hereby commended for their service to veterans.
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(Photos will be here)
Gulick Freight Service Logistics, Vancouver, Washington
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Past Projects
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2009
Trees for Veterans Christmas Project
By Jaycee Newman, Public
Affairs Officer Chapter 271 Salem, Oregon
Vietnam Veterans of America
Membersof VVA Chapter 271 procured over 400 Christmas trees by Friday November 27th
and delivered the first load of trees to the Army Reserve units 320th
and 364th in Portland on Saturday November 28th. Two more loads were delivered Wednesday
December 2nd at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas,
where the trees will be passed out to Oregon National Guardsmen and their
families.
The
“2009 Trees for Veterans Christmas Project” was approved by Chapter 271 members
at their November meeting. It is part of a pilot program called “Landscape
Trees and Landscaping for our Veterans”, which assists primarily disabled
Veterans at this time. The program will expand to all veterans returning from
deployment as resources allow.
Ron
Morgan, who is also Secretary of the Vietnam Veterans of America Oregon State
Council, has been working with other VVA chapters, to give other Vietnam
Veterans an opportunity to honor and serve the “new generation” of veterans and
their families.
Christmas
tree donors that helped make this Christmas tree project possible with their
very generous gifts were Jim Erwin with Misty Firs, Dan Rickel with Rickels
Tree Farm, and McKenzie Farms all from Estacada and Neuschwander Nursery in
Hubbard.
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Webmaster Ron Morgan rhmorgan@usa.net
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