Salem-News.com Oregon Guard articles Page 9

Study Indicates More National Guard Vets Commit Suicide

A Department of Veterans Affairs analysis finds that guard soldiers are more likely to kill themselves as war veterans.

(SALEM, Ore.) - New analysis released by the Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that members of the national guard who serve in war are more likely to commit suicide from post traumatic combat stress.

The report states, "National Guard and Reserve troops who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan make up more than half of veterans who committed suicide after returning home from those wars."

Guardsmen Use Defibrillator to Save a Life at Anderson Readiness Center

"It was like a miracle. I'd never seen it before…he'd come back." - Staff Sergeant Richard Powell, Army medic

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Guard Spokesman Major Michael S. Braibish, says it was a case of being in the worst of conditions, but in the right place at the right time.

A man, apparently suffering a heart attack, collapsed to the floor at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem today just before noon, and soldiers of the Oregon Army National Guard were able to utilize a defibrillator and save his life.

Oregon Guard Soldiers Helping Residents in snowbound Detroit and Idanha

Unusually heavy snowfall accumulated in the cities of Detroit and Idanha as a series of snowstorms swept through the region in recent weeks, and the forecast calls for more snow.

(DETROIT, Ore.) - Twenty seven soldiers of the Oregon National Guard arrived in Idhana today to assist the snowbound community in its effort to recover from weeks of unusually heavy snowfall.

Upon arrival, senior members of the citizen-soldier contingent met with mayors Idanha and Detroit as well as officials from Marion and Linn Counties to lay out plans for supporting both communities.

Oregon National Guard Aids Detroit and Idanha Communities

In December, the Oregon Guard assisted in the response and recovery phases of severe winter storms that struck the northwest part of the state with high wind and rains.

(DETROIT, Ore.) - The Oregon National Guard today will help people in Idanha and Detroit climb out from several feet of snow after a series of heavy snowfalls buried the communities in recent weeks.

Salem-News Reporter Heads to War Again

More details will be announced about this special assignment.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem-News.com reporter Tim King will go to Baghdad, Iraq in March to cover the war and report specifically on the progress and mission of the Oregon National Guard.

Tim spent two months covering the war in Afghanistan over the winter of 2006/07, embedded with the Oregon Guard in the Army's 41st Brigade Combat Team. This time Tim will go to Iraq where hundreds of Oregon soldiers are stationed over the course of a year long deployment.

Active Duty Military Property Tax Exemption Law Expands

The new law is retroactive.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - If you are an Oregon resident on active military duty and own your home, you may qualify for the active duty military service member’s property tax exemption. Up to $60,000 of the assessed value of your home may be exempt.

The 2007 Legislature changed the exemption to include qualified members serving in the military reserve and those redeployed after January 1, 2005.

Oregon Air National Guard Deploys 21 Airmen to Afghanistan

(SALEM) - The Oregon Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Squadron will deploy 21 Airmen to Afghanistan Sept. 9th. The unit, based out of Camp Rilea near Warrenton, will make final preparations on Sept. 8th. for a 120 day tour of duty at Kandahar Air Base.

Exclusive- Oregon National Guard Fighter Pilot Promoted to General

Salem-News.com's Tim King interviewed the newly promoted General who is the first African-American to earn the rank in the Oregon National Guard, and filed this report.

(SALEM) - An Oregon National Guard fighter pilot was promoted to brigadier general at the guard headquarters in Salem Wednesday.

The promotion was historic, because Garry Dean is the first African American to ever attain the rank of General in the Oregon National Guard.