​Rogue Chapter Chairman Terry Haines presented WW2 Medallions to David Samples on behalf of his father, Navy veteran Charles Samples and Charles Facey on behalf of his uncles, Army veteran Ariel Facey, Navy veterans Thomas Beers and Willie Facey. He then presented a Korean Medallion to Charles Facey on behalf of his uncles, Army veterans Albert Facey and Eldon Bingham. All presentations took place at a Chamber of Commerce Greeters in Medford, OR.

​Story Credit - Zak Keeney for the Klamath Falls Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon - In a ceremony nearly 60 years in the making, heroes in the truest sense of the word were finally welcomed home over the weekend.

“Good morning, Vietnam!” Retired Air Force Colonel Steve Harper’s voice boomed through Hancock Hall at the Klamath County Fairgrounds and Event Center.

At its height, more than 500,000 fighting men and women would hear that sign-on slogan played across the Armed Forces Network in Vietnam every morning at six a.m. while battling for South Vietnamese independence and the prevention of further communist spread in the region.

What would become America’s longest and most divisive military conflict, the Vietnam War is often reflected on with somber regret and considered a failure despite American troops winning every significant battle. Over 3.1 million US Armed Forces personnel were stationed in Vietnam, an estimated 25 percent of those being draftees, with 57,939 members either killed or missing as a result of the war.

But, on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, 51 years after the end of US involvement, a gathering of more than 90 servicemen and women who’d seen the war firsthand, finally were given what many veterans of that era longed for: kindness and respect.

“These men and women never got the homecoming they deserved,” Non Commissioned Officers Association Command Chief and Master of Ceremonies Peter Gleason said. “This is something long overdue.”

For most, returning home from Vietnam was met with indifference, hostility and blame. These knightly men and women were often spat on and called baby killers. They were treated with coldness and hostility for doing what only 7 percent of all living Americans have done, serving their country.

“They (American citizens) weren’t too keen on us (Vietnam Veterans),” Doug Leehmann, a paratrooper in the conflict, said.

While attitudes toward the war have improved, many veterans of the era felt isolated and unheard, and while most of those veterans say they would never do it again, according to recent statistics, 90 percent say they are proud of their service.

“We saw you and still see you,” Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot said in a welcoming speech. “You are strong and you are courageous. You taught us what service and sacrifice means. You are our heroes. It’s definitely late, but welcome home. We are grateful that you all are here, and thank you.”

In an invitation to all Vietnam Veterans, The Klamath County Veterans Service Office and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association held a welcome home luncheon and ribbon ceremony.
The former Kingsley Field base commander and a Vietnam Veteran himself, Col. (Ret) Harper gave out what he described as a “well-earned piece of brass” to 90 service men and women that afternoon whose names were: Adolf, Gerald; Applegate, George; Ballard, Ronald; Brown, Bennett; Burrus, Dan; Caillouette, Courad; Campbell, Ronald; Cogdill, Bill; Crandry, Harry; Crowley, Ted; Dean, Gerald; Defransico, Nicholas; Depweg, David; Ebinger, Henry; Field, John; Flory, Gail; Frei, Warren; Garich, Homer; Garland, Fred; George, Jerry; Glick, Kirth; Gogo, William; Gogolin, Thomas; Grace, James; Gray, Charles; Gregory, Gray; Guerrero, Richard; Hansen, Norman; Harmon, James; Harper, Steve; Harper, Sherry; Haugen, Warren; Henslee, Joe; Hollinger, David; Holcomb, Ralph; Honish, Robert; Hoy, Chuck; Huseby, Ronald; Hutchin, Jerald; Icenbice, Kenneth; Ivie, Ray; Jameson, Phillip; Kelly, Michael; Kilpatrick, Earl; Krupnak, Walter; Leehman, Douglas; Liskey, Rocky; Lopez, Jesus; Macomber, Phil; Manard, Aldon; Mathews, Allen; Meek, Leon; Meredith, Robert; Mick, Robert; Morris William; Murphy, Ronald; Muzzey, Thomas; Nelson, Mike; Norlin, David; Newnham, Doris; Oosterman, Nicolas; Pattee, Roger; Quen, Benjamin; Ritter, Robert; Rhodes, George; Roberts, Dennis; Ronningen, Kenneth; Rott, Dave; Stembridge, Montie; Shaw, Robert; Smith, Larry; Smith, William; Stoke, Larry; Storey, Douglas; Thompson, Michael; Telle, Pete; Trumbly, Anthony; Tucker, Steven; Tyler, Roy; Van Buren, Phillip; VandeZandschulp, Conrad; Walbotn, Avery; Walters, James; Waters, Marell; West, Paul; Wheeler, Thomas.

“These are all a great bunch of guys (and gals). I’m proud to be in attendance with them,” 94-year-old veteran of Korea and Vietnam Earl Kilpatrick said.
​

October 5, 2024 - NCOA Board member, Past Grand Knight, and member of the NCOA Fort Sam Houston Chapter CMSgt Ted Pilihos, USAF (Ret), recently presented NCOA Korea and Vietnam War Medallions during the 39th Annual Chief's Gathering at the Blue Bonnet Dance Hall in Selma, Texas. 

Pictured below from left to right are:  CMSgt Bobby Valdez, USAF (Ret), CSM Mack Clanton, USA (Ret), Sir Ted Pilihos, CSM Paul Greenwood, USA (Ret), CMSgt Fil Villarreal, USAF (Ret); and CMSgt Bob Layman, USAF (Ret).  Valdez, Clanton, and Villarreal were recognized with Vietnam War Medallions while Greenwood and Layman were recognized with Korea War Medallions.

NCOA's newest chapter - the NCOA Steel City Chapter - was established last weekend.  In addition to swearing in the new chapter trustees, several NCOA medallions were presented.

A huge shout-out to NCOA members Janet and Lenny Schroth for hosting the cook-out event and to Lady Vicky Hensley for proving and presenting NCOA medallions to the deserving veterans.

CHART OUR ROAD TO SUCCESS

NCOA Rogue chapter trustee Audie Cooper recently presented an NCOA Vietnam Medallion to Marine veteran Barry Leonard and a Korea War Medallion to Navy veteran Chuck Hewitt.​ 

Three Auxiliary Division members were recently selected to receive NCOA Bettsy Ross Educational Scholarship Grants in the amount of $500 each:

 Nick Marigo of Santa Rosa, CA - attending Santa Rosa Junior College
  Jozlynn Reyes of Marion, IN - attending Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame
  Hannah Scott of Tualatin, OR - attending Portland Community College

The Bettsy Ross Educational Fund was established in 1988 and is one more good reason for being a member of the NCOA Auxiliary.  

The Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), a Military Service Organization (MSO), was created in 1960 to address quality of life issues for enlisted members of our Active, Reserve, National Guard, Retired, and Veteran members of all branches of the Armed Forces as well as their families.  As we have evolved, education, work force development, employment, legislative advocacy and the quality of life within our communities as well as the physical and mental health of our enlisted service men and women and their families have become our primary aim.

On 8 January Grand Knight Sir Paul Siverson, partnered with Mission BBQ in Jacksonville, NC to provide lunch at the local homeless shelter in early observance of the annual "Day of Service."

Rogue Chapter Chairman assisted by trustee David Haines presented a Vietnam Medallion to Army veteran Ronald Klopfer. 

During the Rogue Chapter's Christmas Social, chapter members were recognized for their amazing support of the chapter's ongoing efforts.

Those who are recognizing the efforts of their dedicated chapter members rarely request awards for themselves, regardless of how deserving they are.  NCOA Headquarters sent an Award of Excellence to David Haines to be presented on behalf of NCOA Headquarters to chapter chairman Terry Haines.  Thanks for all your hard work, Terry!

In 7 years, the Rogue Chapter's VeteRun has raised and given away $131,850. This year the chapter raised $43,200 with the assistance of Tabitha Carlson who held a golf tournament focusing on Veteran suicide prevention and helping veterans, as a result we were able to present checks at our annual Christmas social in the amount of $14,400 each to David's Chair, Mighty Oaks Foundation and Operation Rambo.

Every year the gross amount earned has increased and the amount given to each charity has increased so our goal next year is to exceed $50,000. The 5K fun run usually happens in October, so plan to help us out next year.

Veterans and family members from 3 wars were presented NCOA medallions for their service in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. A huge thank you to CSM Edwin Sizer, USA (Ret), GEICO's Military Agency Operations Manager, for attending the presentations during the Fort Sam Houston Chapter's End of Year Christmas Social and to the NCOA Fort Sam Houston Chapter and GEICO Military for sponsoring the medallions!

The NCOA Fort Sam Houston Chapter recently held their end of year Christmas Social and awards presentations.  Congratulations to these hard-working individuals for their continued support of NCOA and the NCOA Fort Sam Houston Chapter.