had the honor of presenting It’s Veterans Day in cloudy Roseburg, OR, and the annual parade is an annual highlight in the town’s agenda of events.  Roseburg just experienced a flyover of twin F-15 Eagle Fighter jets from the 173rd Fighter Wing from Klamath Falls Air National Guard…and all action stopped and the crowd celebrated the awesome sight!  The local NCOA Umpqua Valley Chapter 1308 was on hand with a Legacy Medallion display to advertise NCOA’s program to seek and honor local veterans.  Located directly behind this display is the renowned Veterans Traveling Wall, sponsored by the local Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 805.  Pictured from right to left are Roger Arnold, Vice Chairman; Don Adams, and Ron Dukes, Chairman.  All are members of the Vietnam Veterans of America…a strong supporter of the NCOA’s Legacy Medallion program.  After the parade, Don Adams and Ron Dukes had the honor of presenting three Korean War Legacy Medallions at the Brookdale Care Center as family members and staff helped celebrate their military service.  (Photo by Cleta Yarbrough)

It’s a beautiful day in the Umpqua Valley at Roseburg, Oregon, as another Korean War veteran is presented the NCOA Korean War Legacy Medallion.  Pictured are the family and friends of past 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Jerry Fueston.  Making the presentation on behalf of the NCOA is Ron Dukes, Chairman of the NCOA Umpqua Valley Chapter and Honor Guard Chaplain for the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #805.

Rogue Chapter Chairman, assisted by chapter trustee David Haines, recently presented NCOA Medallions at a veteran's breakfast in Grants Pass, OR.

World War II Medallions​

The Central Valley Chapter #1551 and Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary Chapter #270 participated in the Sacramento Air Show on September 23rd and 24th.  The highlight of the show was a performance by the Air Force Thunderbirds.

According to Scott Rodowick, Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary's treasurer, "Chapter volunteers cooked and served more than 900 pizzas over the two day event. It was a great event to showcase the NCOA and make a little money for our organizations. We had a great crew and a lot of fun." 

Chapters - looking for a great NCOA banner like the chapters have displayed on their booth?  Reach out to Glenn Medeiros  at Xpert Media Management, [email protected].

The NCOA Medallion program in Roseburg, OR, was in full swing on a beautiful September Sunday afternoon at the Linus Oaks Retirement Home.  The NCOA Umpqua Valley Chapter #1308 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #805 joined their efforts to present the WWII Legacy Medallion to Dick Stark (Navy Seaman 2nd Class) seated far right.  The Korean War Legacy Medallion was then presented (from right to left) to:  Don Newsom (Navy Reserve Seaman 1st Class); George Howse (Army SFC); Sam Coomer (Navy 3rd Class Metalsmith);  Ernest Farley (Air Force SMSgt and NCOA member); and Joe Cortez (Army SGT).  Standing behind the honored veterans are Ron Dukes, Chairman, Umpqua Valley Chapter #1308 and NCOA Member, Don Adams.  Both are also members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #805, which was instrumental in providing a substantial grant to aid in recognizing these veterans.  (Photo by Cleta Yarbrough).

NCOA Central Valley (#1551) and Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary (#270) were invited to Francis "Buff" Bufkin's 100th birthday celebration on September 10. Buff is a WWII POW captured after jumping from his aircraft. He spent 13 months in captivity.

The community celebration had almost a hundred people come and share their stories with Buff and his daughter Mary Anne Beasley.  Look at all the cards and one made by a 3 year old (big blue one). Thank you Mike TeSelle for sharing this story of an American “doing his job!”  (TeSelle is an Emmy-award winning journalist who has been with KCRA 3 since 1998.)

​NCOA Umpqua Valley Chapter Chairman Ron Dukes recently presented a Korean War Legacy Medallion to former Marine First Sergeant Jim Barnett at his home.  Barnett - aka "Mr. Marine" - of Roseburg, Oregon, has an incredible collection of U.S. Marine Corps paraphernalia throughout his home.  Pictured is just a portion of his collection depicting the Korean War era.

​"It was a great day at "Music in the Park" in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, when NCOA Umpqua Valley Chapter Chairman, Ron Dukes, was honored to present an NCOA Korean War Medallion to Delfino Coco...a 93-year-old veteran.  Music in the Park is a weekly Summer event that brings the community together to picnic and enjoy a variety of songs from different genres.  Mr. Coco was caught by surprise--his daughter had previously contacted the local NCOA chapter and presented the idea of honoring her father with the NCOA's Korea War Medallion while approximately 150 people stood and cheered for Delfino Coco.  Also pictured is Annabelle Voss, his daughter.  (Picture by Cleta Yarbrough)"

NCOA Central Valley and Spirit of Sacramento Chapters were EXTREMELY HONORED to receive a call to meet and present Francis Bufkin with the NCOA WWII Honor and Legacy Medallion. He was a B17 Waist Gunner who was shot down. He jumped out at 8000ft. He was captured for 15 months and was part of the great European march as allies sought to find any surviving POWs. Amazing history. Thank you Jeff Douglas and Maryanne Bufkin!
 

The Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary recently supported the Rancho Cordova Business Expo and Job Fair.

Rogue Chapter members Mike Sklar and Woody Wooten presented 2 Korean War Medallions and 20 Vietnam War Medallions at a veteran's breakfast held in Jacksonville, FL.  As a result of these presentations, 5 new members were recruited. Thanks, shipmates, for your support of this important program.

NCOA Past Grand Knight CMSgt Ted Pilihos, USAF (Ret), presents fellow chief John Talbot, with the NCOA Vietnam Service Medallion in recognition of his service while assigned to Da Nang Airbase during 1969 and 1970. 

​Rogue Chapter Vice Chairman Ken Wilson presented an NCOA Vietnam War Medallion to Alaska Airlines flight attendant Nancy Garcia on behalf of her brother Vernon Schrock who was KIA in Vietnam. The presentation took place on the return flight of Honor Flight of Oregon after a trip to Washington DC. Many tears and much applause erupted when this spontaneous presentation took place during the flight home.

Magnum Force Chapter member Scott Mader stepped in to assist the Easter Bunny who just could not be everywhere at the same time.  The chapter helped sponsor Bridgeport Township's Easter Egg Hunt put on by Bill Wheeler of Bridgeport Township's Parks and Rec department.  Suffice it to say, a good time was had by everyone!

Rogue Chapter Chairman Terry Haines, assisted by trustee David Haines presented a Korean medallion to Air Force veteran Otto Williman and Vietnam Medallions to Army veteran Gene Newman and Navy veteran Harry Rich at a recent veteran's breakfast. One of the recipients joined NCOA as a result.

​NCOA Central Valley Chapter Chairman CMSgt (Ret) Jim Sullivan and NCOA Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary Chairman Tammy Sullivan recently presented a Korean War Medallion to John McKay.

A warm welcome goes out to the Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary's newly-elected Board of Trustees.  Pictured L-R are Trustee Melissa Carnahan, Vice Chairman Ellie Witt, Chairman Tammy Sullivan, Treasurer Scott Rodowick, and Secretary Pam Wright.