July 2020 Update
July is normally a month when we celebrate our Nation’s birthday with parades, fireworks, picnics, and an assortment of sporting events. This year will be different. Parades celebrating our history, our birthday, and patriotism are banned for fear of spreading COVID-19. Fireworks are also banned because they might draw large crowds and God forbid we do something that could cause further passing on of that pesky COVID-19 virus.
Fellow NCOA members, those who have served as well as family members of those who served or are still serving; our service was for a purpose. Some may have served only to qualify for a very good educational benefit that NCOA helped to obtain many years ago. Others may have served after the attack of terrorists on 9/11 out of a sense of patriotism. Whatever your reason for service, we sacrificed a piece of our life and in some cases a piece of ourselves to defend our freedoms for ourselves, our families, and future generations.
With all of the news coverage focusing on change and in some cases even pushing the elimination of our founding history, something that your Board has been looking into came back to the front of my mind. We were exploring an organization called Step up America and one of their pet projects is called the Franklin Project. Their website https://stepupamericaprogram.org lists their mission as follows: “The mission of Step Up America: A Call to Good Citizenship is to educate our youth on the importance of becoming responsible, engaged U.S. Citizens in order to preserve the freedom and security of our great nation.” They were scheduled to come to our conference in San Antonio to speak to us about this project and then COVID-19 changed everything.
I suggest that rather than focusing on the current disruption, we focus on a solution that has been overlooked for far too long. Step up America teaches our youth why the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were written and the long agonizing process that our founding fathers went through to create these documents. We can’t fix everything at once, but if some/all of you believe that the Bill of Rights and why this country was so exceptional for over 200 years, perhaps you can look into this as a chapter or an individual and help start the healing of our nation. Your nation needs you and I humbly request that you step up one more time.
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
Rogue Chapter #1260 of the Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) issued two $500 scholarships to deserving students within our community
Hannah Johnson, the daughter of Christy and Robert Johnson and Presley Robison, the daughter of Frankie Haynes & Charles DeSha, both received their scholarships at a ceremony at Don Jones Park in Central Point on June 2, 2020. Both awardees attended Crater High School.
Hannah wants to pursue a career as a Neonatal Nurse by attending Brigham Young University in Idaho and Presley wants to pursue a degree in Health Sciences at Portland State University.
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- Presley Robison receiving scholarship check
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- Hanna Johnson receiving scholarship check
This is the 2nd year for the Rogue Chapter scholarship program which targets either NCOA member’s children or grandchildren or the children or grandchildren of honorably discharged veterans.
For further information about our scholarship program or for those wishing to contribute to future scholarships, please contact Rogue Chapter #1260 at PO Box 5597, Central Point, OR 97502.
June 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