Sisters veterans group offers assistance

The ravages of war on the human soul take their toll in innumerable ways. Often a caring ear or a friendly smile seem horizons away to a proud veteran in need.

One new oasis of hope is the Sisters Area Veterans Assistance Program, an action-oriented base of operations that will be a source of guidance and fellowship for all Sisters area veterans and their families. It's something local veteran activists Tom Barrier and Tom Salgado thought up one day.

"We were sitting around thinking about how the national veterans organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and The American Legion, although worthy, well organized and take member dues, don't really do a lot for the individual veteran other than lobby Washington for rights and agendas," said Salgado. "We felt there was an immediate need for an organization for local veterans to serve and satisfy their needs right here in our own neighborhoods, vets who can't travel long distances to obtain their proper benefits or submit medical or health claims and trudge through the paperwork.

"We want to have a place that local veterans can go anytime. Sometimes vets just need someone to sit and listen, to not judge them. They all have their own stories and sometimes shy away from help due to denial or frustration," explains Salgado.

Tom Barrier, a Korean and Vietnam War veteran, says the Veterans Administration is doing a good job.

"However, too many vets need assistance, and Central Oregon VA facilities are overwhelmed and cannot get to them all. Our goal is to provide help to as many veterans as we can. We're going to accomplish this by giving vets a comfortable, local place with local contacts 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Barrier said.

Juan Sanchez, the program's service officer and himself a Gulf War veteran, thinks this will become the cornerstone of a dynamic enterprise worthy of Sisters' large veteran community. He wishes there had been something like this when he was discharged from the Marines back into civilian life in 1993. The military debriefing is not enough.

"We want to have a fixed location (that) people can rely on," Sanchez said. "That's the first priority. Once that is in place, then we can begin to offer a host of veterans services unavailable prior to this. We can offer services like grocery pickup and delivery, emergency gas and food, shuttle transportation to the Portland VA, check-up and welfare assistance, guidance on their bills, discounts on public utilities and medicine, and insider maneuvering through the labyrinth of VA forms and documents that must be filled out and copied, as well as vital crisis counseling."

National veterans laws and rules are in constant flux. Through weekly meetings, seminars, and special events, Barrier, Salgado and Sanchez promise to keep vets informed on the latest legislation and benefits that may affect them. Many veterans are not as computer literate as they wish to be, and guidance can be given in those areas as well.

Rick Case, a decorated Vietnam War veteran living in Sisters, believes this new assistance league can make a big difference. Case was sent to Southeast Asia at the age of 18 and assigned the grisly duty of grave registration.

"I thought it was going to be a ceremonial position, doing honor guard and burial services," Case said. "That's not what it was."

Grave registration involves the recovery, cataloging, and transport preparation of combat fatalities from the battlefield and is considered the number one catalyst for all post-traumatic stress disorder cases.

"The military never considers a psychological profile in assigning harmful or mentally hazardous duties," said Case. "That's why soldiers come back with issues that surface when reintroduced to the mundane nature of civilian life. A lot of the trauma is burned into your mind and doesn't go away. Finding other veterans with similar issues can help you address simple obstacles that may come up. You get to a point where you've seen so much carnage and death that the pointless gossip and drama of everyday life becomes an aggravation and annoyance."

Vets returned home and dealt with their problems by self-medicating with alcohol and drugs, or act out in ways they were trained in, with violence and anger.

Salgado works tirelessly with Pearl Harbor survivors and Korean War vets and knows many are living with nagging ailments, both physical and emotional. "As far as the Sisters group, anything we can do locally, so the vet doesn't have to travel to the VA in Portland, or even Bend or Redmond, will help immensely. Sometimes you need answers immediately and can't be put on hold or brushed off. The mere convenience factor is of great benefit. We can still use the VA as a fallback, but it's sure nice to have something right here in our own backyards."

Putting veterans in a place of honor and priority is something Sisters holds in high esteem. Sanchez insists Sisters can become an example for other communities around the United States and break new ground in public awareness for veterans.

"Vietnam War vets often say we never got our parade. I never cared about the parade, I just wanted to be treated with compassion," said Case. "Even though many vets have moments of emotions, it's coming from a place of humanity and love of life. I think today we're on the right track, welcoming home our soldiers, families supporting and honoring their sons and daughters."

Future events linked to the program may include a classic movie night or a monthly veterans breakfast. Suggestions and comments are encouraged. The Veteran's Assistance Program meets every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cloverdale Fire Station on George Cyrus Rd. and Highway 126. All veterans and friends of veterans are welcome to join, including those in need of assistance, fellowship, or emotional support. Call 818-634-0735 or 541-410-4293 for more information.