Local organizations help area’s veterans

I have witnessed first hand the support and generosity of a few local organizations that have assisted Union County veterans in their time of need. I am asking you to help those organizations by doing a few simple things.

First of all, just give them a call and thank them. A little praise goes a long way.

Second, donate a few dollars to their cause. In an era of shrinking budgets from the local, state and federal governments, your contribution to a local organization goes a long way and it stays here in our community helping our veterans.

Finally, give a veterans organization your time or your skills. It is truly a sad day when a veteran passes on and local veterans organizations do not have enough volunteers or members to conduct an honor guard or burial ceremony or to take an aging veteran to a medical appointment.

I am giving my personal thank-you to the following organizations who have assisted veterans this past year by providing them food, shelter, transportation, a helping hand and, in some cases, a complete holiday for veterans and their families: American Legion Post 43, La Grande; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2990, La Grande; Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 4060, Union; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), La Grande; Women Military Veterans of Northeast Oregon; La Grande Sunrise Rotary; Third Street Station; and a special “Bravo Zulu” for going above and beyond the call of duty to the generous members of the BPO Elks Lodge 433, La Grande.

The above organizations have fed dozens of veterans and their families, have provided homeless veterans with more than 90 nights of lodging and have transported them to many medical appointments in the state of Oregon and Washington.

I would like to welcome Operation Enduring Support as a tri-county partner in assisting active duty, their families and veterans of Union, Wallowa and Baker counties.

If you would like to donate, assist or join any of the above, call me for additional information or to set up an appointment, 541-962-8802. I am located at the Center for Human Development (CHD), 2301 Cove Ave., La Grande.

Byron Whipple is the Union County veterans service officer.