Desk of the Chairman August 2026

From the Desk of the Chairman

August is here and summer will wind down before you know it. On August 2, 1990, the Gulf War began. The US Coast Guard’s birthday is August 4th. August 7th is Purple Heart Day, and the Marine Corps Reserve’s birthday is August 29th. August is the only month of the year without a federally recognized holiday of some sort

Rogue Chapter sits at having awarded 2,076 Medallions. Your Rogue Chapter has stepped up thanks to a volunteer or two to help store and ship Medallion orders. The exact process for pricing and ordering is still being worked out, but I am excited that this valuable program will remain alive and with NCOA. Our chapter website will be set up to mirror the national website for ordering Medallions.

The July Member of the Month was Rick Vetter. Rick is a Coast Guard veteran and founder of Heroes in the Classroom. He volunteered at recent events and has been actively presenting Medallions to deserving veterans. Since starting the Heroes in the Classroom, the program has expanded from Josephine County into Jackson County. With me going on vacation at the end of June, he stepped up to assist the fact that Your Rogue Chapter was selected as the Grand Marshall for the Central Point 4th of July parade honoring the 250th birthday of our nation. Rick also actively promotes NCOA and assists with promoting the veteran’s breakfast in Grants Pass. Job well done! Who will be next? Maybe it will be you!

I have been writing this column for the better part of 35 years, and I have always tried to be constructive, motivational and informative. I have been asking for feedback for as long as I can remember and I can count on one hand the number of times that it has been given. Communication is the solution to becoming better and a lack of communication can lead to becoming stagnant. I bring this up because as I have volunteered to be part of the committee re-writing the NCOA By-Laws as well as the chapter by-laws, I need to know what the members think as well as what “YOU” want out of this organization. Each one of you has an opinion and as a leader, my job is to listen to input and then make the best decision that I can based on our common goals. Transitioning to a virtual organization will bring about changes and together we can bring our hopes and desires to the table and make NCOA what our founders envisioned back in 1960. Please send me your thoughts so that we can figure our direction out together.

Rogue Chapter has been successful due to a lot of hard work. I do what I do because I love helping veterans and their families. How can we help you? The answer is simple, if you tell us what you need, we will do everything humanly possible to positively impact you and your family. Think about it. Last month I asked about what your legacy will be. Let’s work on that together.

I would love to hear from all of you with your thoughts and suggestions. If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact me at [email protected] and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.

Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,

MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines, USNR Retired
Chairman, Rogue Chapter #1260