New Members Join Veterans` Department Advisory Committee

The nine-member Committee was formed by statute in 1945.

Veterans building in Salem Photo: State of Oregon

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs today welcomed four new members to the Department’s Advisory Committee, including the Committee’s first Native American member, a Vietnam era veteran, a Gulf War era veteran, and an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.

Appointed by Governor Theodore Kulongoski, the Department’s new Advisory Committee members are:

Joseph R. (Ryan) Howell of Albany, an Army National Guard combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a double Purple Heart winner, and the youngest member to ever serve on the Committee

Eugene J. LaBonte of Grand Ronde, a Native American and Vietnam era veteran who served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman

Gerard F. Lorang of Portland, a Vietnam era veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a radio technician and most recently was the Director of the Portland Veterans Administration Regional Office

Kevin J. Owens of North Bend, a Gulf War era veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard who served as a electricians mate.

"I’m thrilled to have these new members who not only represent different areas of our state, but add diversity to our Committee," said Jim Willis, Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. "Each of these members bring something special to the Committee and will be great assets for the Department," he said.

The new appointees will fill vacancies of four term-limited members of the Committee who have completed two consecutive terms of four-year each.

"This is a bittersweet moment for me as Director," Willis said, noting the contribution the four outgoing members had made during their eight years on the Committee. Paul Evans, Policy Advisor to Governor Kulongoski, presented outgoing members with the Governor’s Commendation Award for their service.

Leaving the board are Staryl C. Austin, Jr. of Salem, both a World War II and Korean War veteran; Furlton M. Burns of Portland, a Vietnam veteran; Walter R. Crews of Aurora, a Korea and Vietnam era veteran; and Robert Haltiner of Oregon City, a Vietnam Veteran.

"Combined, these veterans represent leadership from many different battlefields of America’s military past. Throughout their years of dedicated service, their collective wisdom has directly impacted the lives of Oregon veterans and their families," Willis said.

"It has been an honor to work with each of them. The value of their service and dedication to veterans while serving on the Committee is immeasurable," he said.

The nine-member Committee was formed by statute in 1945. Playing an active role in the effective administration to the Department, Committee members advise the Department’s Director and actively engage in ensuring the agency is meeting its mission. More information about the Advisory Committee and ODVA services and programs can be found online at oregon.gov/ODVA.