ID Card Renewal/DEERS
The Medford National Guard Armory is now doing ID card renewals M-F on Walk-In ONLY from 9:00 to 16:00.
Located at:
1701 South Pacific Hwy
Medford, OR 97501
Call 503-584-3040 to make sure you have all paperwork needed before you go.
DoD DEERS EnrollmentJune 2020 Newsletter
June 2020 Update
June is the traditional month when schools get out, summer begins, PCS moves take place and many of us begin to think about things like vacations, baseball, and NASCAR. This year, other than summer starting on June 20th and Father’s Day, nothing will be the same. School was closed months ago, PCS moves have been delayed, sports have been canceled or seriously pushed back and vacations either delayed or canceled. The level of fear present in the United States is at or nearing an all-time high.
Chairman of the Board Terry M, Haines presenting the award for the 2019 Western Region Large Chapter of the Year award to Trustee & Treasurer Ron Kohl
Those of us who have served in the military have been trained or at least exposed to leadership. If you have ever been in a combat zone, you know what fear is and the fear that Americans are exposed to today is real. It is unfortunate that the media and some of those in positions of leadership are choosing to push fear rather than calm. True leaders guide those under their direction on how to get through stressful times. Right now, it is not just you that are being impacted by COVID-19, but it is also your family and others that you love. That makes it worse because we care for those we love.
When in combat, you and your fellow members of the armed forces are there. Your family is secure back home. This COVID-19 is an invisible enemy and it is hitting us right where we and our families are at. What can you do to get through this situation? My fellow NCOA members use the experience of having served in the military to guide your families through these difficult times. Try to keep emotions out of the mix.
Leadership is something that has nothing to do with gender or age. Leaders remain calm and provide guidance to accomplish the mission. Right now, our mission is to get through this crisis. Check up on your families, friends, neighbors, and fellow veterans. Make sure they are alright and offer to assist if they need help. Mow a lawn, shop for groceries if they need help, take out their garbage, and just offer a calming demeanor in these stressful times. Don’t let people isolate as that only breeds more fear.
We won’t be able to meet this year, but we will be doing online opportunities to share information. We will still be recognizing our Vanguard heroes and sharing the inspiring feats that earned them the recognition. While NCOA isn’t the largest or best-known organization, we are a powerful and focused group looking out for our enlisted forces and their families. I invite you today to use your training and patriotism to help your community and this nation get through this crisis.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at chairman@ncoausa.org and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.
Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,
MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines
Chairman, International Board of Directors
2019 Western Region Large Chapter of the Year
It was announced today that Rogue Chapter has been selected as the 2019 Western Region Large Chapter of the Year. Next month it will be announced who will win the NCOA 2019 Large, Small & Auxiliary Chapter of the Year.
Thank you all Rogue Chapter members who contributed to this recognition.
Large and Small Regional Chapters of the Year for 2019 were selected based on information provided to Headquarters on the Annual Chapter Operations Report and synopsis of activities for 2019.
Our chapters and their dedicated members put in a lot of time and energy raising and donating funds and supporting programs like Muscular Dystrophy, Special Olympics, JROTC, hospice care, children’s orphanages, care packages to our troops to mention just a few.It is our pleasure to recognize the efforts of the following chapters selected as the Large and Small Regional Chapters of the Year for 2019:
Northeastern Region
- Trailblazers Chapter – Flint, MI area (Large)
- Magnum Force Chapter – Saginaw, MI area (Small)
Southeastern Region
- Gateway Chapter – New Port Richey, FL (Large)
- Gateway Auxiliary – New Port Richey, FL (Small)
Central Region
- Air Academy Chapter – Colorado Springs, CO (Large)
- Frontier Chapter – Cheyenne, WY (Small)
Southwestern Region
- Fort Sam Houston Chapter – San Antonio, TX (Large)
- Leroy’s Spanish Trail Chapter – Tucson, AZ (Small)
Western Region
- Rogue Chapter – Medford, OR (Large)
- Trails End Auxiliary – Portland, OR area (Small)
Pacific Region
- Korea Chapter – Seoul, Korea (Large)
Congratulations to each of these dedicated chapters and their amazing members.
Winners of the Regional Chapter of the Year awards are in the running for the coveted 2019 Outstanding Chapter of the Year awards.
Chairman of the Board Terry M, Haines presenting the award for the 2019 Western Region Large Chapter of the Year award to Trustee & Treasurer Ron Kohl
May 2020 Update
May is a solemn month for those who have served. Memorial Day is a day when we remember the lives of those who did not return that served alongside and prior to us. Many of us may have memories of the day when a friend or comrade went about their day and by the end of the day they were no longer here. Out of respect for the fallen, Memorial Day holds a special place in our hearts and rightfully so. This coming Memorial Day, we should all pause for a moment out of respect for those who did not return from their final mission.
The current COVID-19 situation has brought about changes to all of our daily lives. Social distancing has forced all of us to rethink how we perform many of our daily activities. Meetings have been cancelled. Businesses have been forced to either close doors or significantly alter how they deliver service or products. Your Board of Directors recently met via conference call and after much thought and discussion decided the best thing to do with our planned 2020 conference in San Antonio was to cancel it this year. Between stay at home orders across the country, travel bans for the DOD, and social distancing standards, it became clear that it was in the best interest for the health and welfare of each of you that we must cancel this year’s event.
We are looking at using technology like zoom to brief our membership and chapters on significant developments such as how to recognize our Vanguard awardees and all of our chapters for their efforts to name a few. I am hopeful that each of you are doing buddy checks on other members or family and friends. This social distancing and social isolation during travel bans and stay at home orders can easily lead to depression. Keep your spirits and the spirits of who you contact up. Stay well.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at chairman@ncoausa.org and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.
Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,
MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines
Chairman, International Board of Directors
Pictures from National Guard in Somalia
These pictures are of our local National Guard troops in Somalia receiving a shipment of care packages provided by the VA SORCC in White City and shipped by Rogue Chapter. So far this year we have shipped approximately 150 care packages between the troops in Somalia and Afghanistan.
