Desk of the Chairman October 2026

Fellow members and supporters:

Two of the 4 VeteRun projects are behind us with 2 more within the next couple of weeks.  As you all know, the plight of many of our veteran, especially ones who saw combat, is often a rough road at best.  VeteRun is on track to raise between $50,000 to $60,000 to support the three charities dealing with the mental health of our struggling veterans.  Unfortunately, far too many have taken an early exit.  If you cannot attend one of the remaining events as a participant, perhaps you can forego a coffee or a beer and put the equivalent as a donation to help address a real problem that one day you yourself may be touched by.  It could be a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or even a family member.  We never know until after the fact and then it is too late.

Wreaths Across America will take place on December 19^th and as soon as VeteRun is over, we start hitting it hard.  Wreaths are only $17 and at a recent veteran’s breakfast, we passed the hat and raised over $750.  With the funds we have raised so far, we have already purchased a wreath for every member that we are aware of who is buried at the Eagle Point National Cemetery.  If you know of anyone buried there, let me know and if not already on our list, we can add them.  Every veteran buried there deserves to be remembered.

In two weeks, another Honor Flight will depart for Washington, and we have provided Medallions for all of the veterans on that flight.  That will put us well over 2,200 Medallions that your Rogue Chapter has provided.  As I said in my article, if you have not yet gotten your Medallion, let me know and we will work it out to get you one as a thank you for your service.