Blog – SOVO

November Local Events Honoring Veterans

11-06-2021 to 11-21-2021
Veterans Craft Show
Pony Village Mall

11-09-2021 Saturday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Bandon Historical Society Museum: A special Veterans Day Military Exhibit will be at the
Bandon Museum. The day will feature special indoor and outdoor exhibits of military
collections. Admission will be free all day, courtesy of Edgewaters restaurant, Eichelberger &
Co. Real Estate, and Bandon American Legion Post 26. Doors will open at 10 a.m.

VETERANS DAY EVENTS

11-11-2021
Pacific Coast Corvette Club
Run to Roseburg for Parade

11-11-2021 arrive Bandon prior to 9:30 am
Patriot Guard Riders
Ride to Bandon VFW and on to Veterans Memorial in Bandon

11-11-2021 9:30 am
Bandon is again hosting a rolling parade through Bandon for Veterans Day.
Staging will be at Bandon VFW on Bates Rd at 9:30 leaving there at 10:00. Fly American flags
Finish at the Bandon Veterans Memorial Wall

11-11-2021 11:00 am
Dedication ceremony for the Bandon Veterans Memorial
Location Bandon City Park
Reception follows at Bandon Community Center.
Public welcome.

11-11-2021 11:00 am
Reading of Proclamations recognizing and the observance of Veterans
Presentation of Colors by VFW Post 2928, Myrtle Point.
Concluding with the playing of Taps. Sponsored by SOVO
Location – Pavilion on the Boardwalk in Coos Bay

11-11-2021 Noon – 3:00 pm
Spaghetti Meal (Free to Veeterans)
WildFlower Food truck sponsored by Operation Rebuild Hope
Location – Bryan’s Home – North Bend

11-11-2021 Opens 4:30 to 6:30 pm
American Legion Veterans Dinner (Free to Veterans)
Location – Coos Bay Elks Lodge

11-11-2021 Social 5:00 pm and Dinner 6:00 pm
AMVETS Veterans Dinner (Free to Veterans)
Location – Coos Bay Eagles Lodge

11-11-2021 All Day
Coffee Free to Veterans all day
Location – Kaffe 101 – Coos Bay

11-11-2021 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Free lunch to all veterans and first responders
Billy Smoothboar’s, located on U.S. Highway 101 and Seabird Drive
Bandon

11-13-2021 Noon to 3:00 pm
(Free to Veterans)
Pony Village Mall – East Entrance

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Happy Birthday to the United States Navy! 246 years’ strong!

Happy Birthday, United States Navy!

Today, our country celebrates the 246th birthday of the United States (U.S.) Navy, our maritime service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Since 1775, sailors have protected the freedom of the seas with bravery and dedication. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world. And here’s a fun fact – our Navy is so coveted that five U.S. towns claim to be its birthplace.

As we commemorate the Navy’s rich past and thank the Navy Veterans who have paved the way for our bright future, we also recognize the caregivers who support our Navy Veterans. As caregivers, you serve our country by helping those who need you most. As a Navy Veteran myself, I can’t thank you enough. You too embody the Navy’s motto, Not for Self, but for Country.

On behalf of the Caregiver Support Program, happy birthday to the U.S. Navy!

Hooyah!

Colleen M. Richardson, Psy.D
Executive Director
Caregiver Support Program

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Welcome SOVO’s new Office Coordinator

Meet Patrick Murphy, SOVO’s new Office Coordinator.

Patrick is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the SOVO office. He assists the Board of Directors (primarily Tom Benz) with applications for funding from local and area grant-making organizations; he maintains the SOVO filing system and policy manuals, updating files as necessary; he works with SOVO volunteers, and participates in SOVO-sponsored activities.

Patrick is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, and proudly served in the South Dakota Army National Guard and US Army Reserve from 1980 – 1988. He credits his military service to his father, who was a career Army officer with combat service in both Korea and Vietnam.

Patrick retired from corporate life in 2019, after a 36-year career that included positions in state, federal and tribal government; non-profit organizations and foundation leadership; and the private sector, including over 10 years as a self-employed communications and management consultant.
Patrick is married and has six adult children. He recently relocated to Oregon from South Dakota, and spends his weekends exploring coastal Oregon and its many communities.

Welcome aboard, Patrick.

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Golf Benefit for Veterans

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Services for Long time SOVO Volunteer “Bill” Hutchinson Today – August 14

Services for William “Bill” Alan Hutchinson (1947-2021) will be held today, August 14, 2021 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (2250 16th Street, North Bend). The Rosary will begin at 10:30am, followed by Mass at 11:00am. The time of flag presentation is unknown, but possibly at 11:am.

As a long-time SOVO volunteer, Bill was often the first person visitors to the SOVO office met. From his seat behind the desk he would log visitors, answer questions, and set them up with appointments. Always up for a chat, Bill made everyone feel welcome. Bill might even tell you stories about his time in the Marine Corps. He will be missed by many. He was 74.

Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel 541-756-0440

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Oregon Veterans Homes Covid-19 Update (as of July 29)

Even with residents and staff receiving the vaccine and with Governor Brown re-opening Oregon, the Homes are still required to follow strict guidelines from both federal and state entities.

As we continue to protect and treat all those entrusted to our care during these extraordinary times, we remain committed to providing information through regular updates and are expanding options to keep you up to date through additional communication tools like this weekly update..

WEEKLY COVID-19 CASE STATUS UPDATE
The count is cumulative since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020.

Current as of July 29, 2021

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Tips for avoiding VA home loan scams

VAntage Point

These tips for spotting and avoiding VA home loan scams come from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Many service members, Veterans and military spouses have been receiving fraudulent calls and mailers from companies who claim to be affiliated with the government, VA, or their home loan servicer. These calls or mailers often try to sway you to refinance your home, agree to a loan modification, or pay your loan via purchased money orders. They may also try to convince you that your home is facing foreclosure.

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Support for those grieving loss on this Memorial Day

If you have lost a friend or loved one who was a Veteran or military service member, we encourage you to honor & remember them today – and please reach out for support if needed.

If you need support, please reach out to us!
Call the Military Helpline at 1-888-457-4838
or call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

“We’re here every day, every night, every hour, to serve those who have served our country, and to support their loved ones. We strive to honor their efforts. We remind them that they do not have to fight alone.”

– Military Services Staff Member

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ODVA Director Memorial Day Message: Reflecting on Unity, Strength through Diversity

Director Fitzpatrick and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will host a virtual Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony this year on Facebook and YouTube. All Oregonians are welcome to join for the live premiere at 10 a.m. May 31, or tune in at a later time.

For the second year in a row, Memorial Day observances in communities, organizations and even within family groups will look very different later this month because of the COVID pandemic.

The parades, large ceremonies and other occasions, which I and so many others in the Oregon veteran community have always found moving and meaningful, have not yet been able to safely return in many places.

Yet, the importance of this day — and the emotions and memories that it brings — have not changed.

For countless families across our communities, our state and our nation, Memorial Day is a stark and, often, painful reminder of those loved ones who went to serve their country and never came home.

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Sign up for your Covid-19 Vaccination at Safeway – Link inside

Link to register is listed at bottom of this article.

You will be asked to confirm that you are eligible for Vaccine according to the government priorities.

COVID-19 vaccine is currently being prioritized for the following people:

* Healthcare personnel
* EMS and First Responders
* Teachers K-12 and Childcare Workers
* Public Safety Workers
* Law Enforcement
* Corrections Officers/Staff
* Adults age 70 and older

Southwestern Oregon Veterans Outreach

November Local Events Honoring Veterans

VETERANS DAY EVENTS