GHC's The Dalles Chapter November Holiday Box Packing Fun!

The Dalles chapter of The Gorge Heroes Club met recently at the Oregon National Guard Armory to put together the holiday care packages to the recently deployed 3-116th CAV Unit. 

GHC's sewing team provided over 135 handmade holiday stockings for the community to come in and help assemble.

Here community members are signing over 135 cards that the GHC Cards team handmade for the troops!

Operation Home Front came to The Dalles and handed out Hug-A-Dolls to the children of the 3-116th CAV members on the same evening as the community box packing. 

The cards that GHC's Cards and Letters Team made for each hero.

The fun begins!  Each community member got in line to stuff the handmade Christmas stockings to each member of the 3-116 CAV - Oregon National Guard.

GHC would like to thank Hood River Safeway and the community members who provided all the goodies for the Christmas stockings for our heroes.

The next community box packing for The Dalles Chapter of GHC will take place in JANUARY - on the third Thursday at The Dalles Oregon National Guard Armory, 7PM.

Proudly,
Your GHC

GHC Gears Up For 3/116 CAV Holiday's For Local Guard Families

Oregon National Guard soldiers from Hood River and The Dalles will depart for Iraq next week with the 3rd Battalion 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team and plans are already underway to provide their families with some holiday cheer.

Local businessman David Griffith is spearheading the collection of Christmas gifts for the children of 130 soldiers from The Dalles unit that have completed advanced training at Camp Shelby, Miss., and will spend almost one year in the Middle East. He has set up a donation bin at Griffith Motors, 523 E. Third Street, and invites community members to contribute a toy for children in one of four age groups; 0-5, 6-10, 11-14 and 15-18.

The majority of Guard children are elementary school age or younger so Griffith said more items will be needed in that age range. Several of the Army wives are expecting a child within the next few months so newborn items are also welcome. The deadline to drop off unwrapped toys at the car dealership is 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13.

"I decided to help out with this cause because it isn't only the soldier that is serving during a deployment; the entire family is making sacrifices as well. I think it is really important to make the holidays a little brighter for these families because this is going to be a tough Christmas for them," said Griffith.

The Civic Auditorium Board of Directors has donated use of the facilities for the Holiday for Hero Families brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. Because Santa will be making a visit, photographer Bob Davis of Tableau Vivant has donated his services to capture the moment for absentee mothers and fathers.

Griffith and Les Cochenour, both members of The Dalles Chapter of the Gorge Heroes Club, are working with Lisa Bishop, Family Readiness Group Coordinator for The Dalles unit, and other military families and veterans to organize the brunch.

The group is also busy collecting snack items that will be used to fill Christmas stockings during the assembly of holiday care packages for soldiers:

The Dalles GHC Chapter Troop Holiday Box Packing - 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18, in the armory, 713 Webber Street in The Dalles.

The Hood River Chapter Troop Holiday Box Packing - 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 24, WAAAM, off Tucker Road in Hood River.

Anyone wanting to donate candy and individually-packaged nuts, cookies, crackers and other treats may drop them at:

The Dalles National Guard Armory from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays

WAAAM - The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum off Tucker Road in Hood River - Open 7 days a week from 9AM to 5PM

Windermere Glenn Taylor Realtors - Bingen, Washington - Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM

Cochenour said GHC is facing its biggest challenge yet to provide boxes each month for 130 Guard members from The Dalles and 35 from the Hood River Armory. He said the group is determined to succeed with the mission and volunteers will be making the rounds of businesses and service organization to ask for financial and/or material contributions.

"It's going to be very expensive to send these boxes each month but that is not going to hold us back because this is something that we all owe these soldiers," said Cochenour. "I realize that there are many groups during the holiday season that are looking for funds but supporting the people that are out there fighting for us should be our first priority."

GHC is holding two community rummage sales to help raise funds for the care packages:

The Dalles Oregon National Guard Armory from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20th

Valley Worship Center - Mt Hood, Oregon from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov 19th and Saturday, Nov 20th

People are invited to clean out their closets and drop off quality used merchandise to either location. Baked goods will also be sold at the event and complimentary hot apple cider and coffee will be served.

"We are going to have some real bargains and all of the money goes to a good cause so mark your calendars and plan to do a little shopping and help our troops at the same time," said Terri Hansen, GHC vice-president.

GHC is a nonprofit organization that provides care packages for anyone serving in the military from the Mid-Columbia region. The group run by volunteers has an account set up at CenterPointe Bank, which has branches in The Dalles and Hood River. Donations are tax deductible. 

 

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Receives Thanks From 1st Marine Division (Fwd)

The Certificate

The United States Flag and Certificate

The 1st Marine Division (FWD) Coin

The Gorge Heroes Club is honored to have received "thanks" from the 1st Marine Division (Fwd) Headquarters, Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. 

The United States Flag was flown in our honor over Camp Leatherneck on October 6, 2010 and dedicated in our honor by Master Sergeant Carla Perez. 

The certificate is signed by Commanding General J. L. Osterman and Sergeant Major P.A. Fascetti both of the 1st Marine Division (Fwd).

The Gorge Heroes Club is honored to be supporting the members of the 1st Marine Division. 

Sending out special thanks to Master Sergeant Carla Perez for dedication of this honor to the Gorge Heroes Club. 

With great pride,

Your GHC

October GHC Hood River Chapter Troop Care Box Packing

The Hood River Chapter of the Gorge Heroes Club met on the 4th Wednesday of October at WAAAM - the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River to ready our monthly shipment of care packages to our deployed heroes.

GHC would like to thank it's Baking Team and community members for baking dozens of cookies that GHC shipped to the members of the 3-116 CAV - Oregon National Guard Members.  Between GHC's Hood River and The Dalles Chapters we where able to ship off over 40 large boxes of homemade goodies! 

Members and community guests filling "unit packs"

Oregon National Guard member Sgt Hall's children, Mikey and Maggie came  to put together a special package for their Dad. 

If you would like to find out more about The Gorge Heroes Club and ways that you can help our military heroes, please drop us a line at: ghc@gorge.net

Proudly,
Your GHC

Oregon National Guard SPC Chris Haskins Visits Pen Pals

Oregon National Guard Spec. Chris Haskins took time away from his busy schedule to prepare for an upcoming deployment and visited two sixth grade classes at Wy'east Middle School. His new fan club, led by teacher Sally Prichett, has mailed letters of encouragement to Haskins, who is now receiving advanced training at Camp Shelby, Miss., before leaving for Iraq with more than 500 other Guard members from Oregon that are part of the 3rd Battalion, 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team.

Spc Haskins talking to the students about the region he is being deployed to.

Teacher Sally Prichett with Spc Chris Haskins

Spc Chris Haskin's with his penpals from Mrs. Prichett's six grade class from Wy'east Middle School located in Hood River County, Oregon.

 

Above is one of the many letters Spc Haskin's recently received from the students. 

GHC Gears Up For The Holiday's

The holiday's are fast approaching and GHC's Sewing Team is busy at work providing over 285 handmade Christmas Stockings for our Hometown Heroes this holiday season!

The Gorge Heroes Club currently needs donations of holiday print material to finish the project.  If you can help, please contact us directly at GHC@gorge.net

GHC Announces Troop Support Events

Start cleaning out those closets and organizing your garages.  The Gorge Heroes Club will be holding two Troop Support Rummage Sales on November 20th.  The dual Rummage Sales will take place at both the Hood River and The Dalles Oregon National Guard Armories on the same day!  We have two Armory floors to fill and all your donations are tax deductible.

So, mark you calendars now!  It will be a fun filled day and a great way to support our Hometown Heroes.

If you have items that you would like to donate, please contact GHC directly at ghc@gorge.net. 

Check back often of follow us on Facebook for up to date events and GHC happenings.

Proudly,
Your GHC

Oregon National Guard 3-116 CAV Settles In At Camp Shelby

Capt. Seth Musgrove looks over dispatches in his command post at Camp Shelby, Miss., last week. Musgrove, the commander of Ontario’s Oregon Army National Guard unit, said his outfit is focused and ready as it starts a long training stint at Camp Shelby.

Camp Shelby, Miss. — David Glassock said he will never forget the way residents of eastern Oregon and Ontario rallied to say goodbye to his Guard unit a couple of weeks ago.

“It (the send-off) was the best in the state. The community support was excellent. We had people along the entire route. It was nice. It made me feel like we were being supported,” he said.

“While still early in the training session, Musgrove said his company is doing well. Still, he said he understands the sacrifice his Guardsmen make to be away from loved ones.

Glassock joined more than 450 members of eastern Oregon’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team as it flew to Camp Shelby Miss., recently for training to prepare for a deployment to Iraq later this fall.

The 3rd Battalion consists of Guard outfits from Hood River, The Dalles, Hermiston, Pendleton, La Grande, Baker City and Ontario. The unit received notification in April regarding a deployment to Iraq.

While Glassock, a Hillsboro resident and a sergeant with the Ontario’s Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, said he was impressed with the send-off from eastern Oregon residents, he also noted the encouragement his unit collected from local people.

“Every time we went somewhere (in Ontario) everyone said ‘thank you,’ ” Glassock said. “I’ve not experienced that kind of ‘Hey, good job’ since the (first) Gulf War.”

The farewells showered on the 3rd Battalion — including Glassock’s unit — marked the beginning of a new phase of training for the entire battalion.

Now at Camp Shelby, the 3rd Battalion join similar-sized units from Montana and Idaho to put the finishing touches on an intensive preparation program. The training regime began in June and included a three-week-plus stint on the high desert south of Boise in August.

One new difficulty Guardsmen from Charlie Company face is the unique climate of Mississippi, according to the unit commander, Capt. Seth Musgrove. “I think the biggest challenge right now is getting acclimated to the weather. Especially the humidity,” Musgrove said.

“I think the biggest challenge right now is getting acclimated to the weather. Especially the humidity,” Musgrove said.

For a group accustomed to the weather in western Oregon or the high desert climate in the eastern part of the Beaver state, the unique conditions in Mississippi proved to be a minor shock. Musgrove said, however, his group is learning to overcome the local environment.

“It (the weather) is not a factor in terms of performance. It is just one of those things you deal with,” Musgrove said.

Charlie Company, along with other units in the 3rd Battalion, will conduct a series of training exercises while at Camp Shelby. Guardsmen will be instructed on various weapons systems, become familiar with the U.S. Army’s main means of transportation in Iraq — the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicle — Iraqi language training and conduct convoy escort training. The convoy escort instruction is critical, Musgrove said.

“In my mind that is the biggest piece (to training) as well as working through all the sub-tasks associated with convoy security,” he said.

“It is tough being away from family. And family is always in the back of a Guardsman’s mind. I think it is healthy to think about it. But you’ve got to be mindful it does not consume your thought process. You know, we still have a job to do,” he said.

Story by Pat Caldwell - embedded with the 3/116 CAV
Special to the Argus Observer
GHC would like to thank the Oregon Military Department - Oregon National Guard for giving us special permissions to reprint this article on our website.

Here is a direct link to the article that appeared on their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=438541070996#!/note.php?note_id=437408099422&id=63030240817
Proudly,
Your GHC

Capt Dale Goetz Memorial Service This Saturday In Hood River

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski will deliver a state flag to the family of Army Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Goetz at Saturday’s memorial service in Hood River to honor the fallen soldier.

Please visit the below link for the full article that appeared in today's editon of The Dalles Chronicle:

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2010/10/10-05-10-01.shtml

The Memorial Service will take place this Saturday, 2PM at the Horizon Christian School in Hood River, Oregon.

Rest in Peace Capt Goetz. 

Honored,

GHC

Gorge Heroes Club Expands Operations To The Dalles Oregon

The Gorge Hereos Club is excited to announce that we are expanding our organization to The Dalles, Oregon.  The community is invited to drop off care package items at The Dalles Oregon National Guard Armory located at Sixth and Webber Street from 9AM to 4PM, Monday thru Friday. GHC is coordinating the assembly of care packages with Lisa Bishop, the FRG Leader for The Dalles Oregon unit of the Oregon National Guard.

The first box packing is scheduled during the last weeks of October.  The date and time will be announced after our final organizational meeting October 12th.

As GHC gears up for monthly care packages for our troops, here is a list of our urgent need items. All items are requested in "Individual Size" packaging unless otherwise stated:

Hygiene Wipes

Toilet Paper

Ziploc Bags - All Sizes

Hand Sanitizer

Crackers

Cookies

Gum

Chocolate

Hard Candy

Crocheted/Knitted Stocking Caps - (Black, Dark Brown, Dark Blue or Dark Green only, please)

Fruit Bars

Granola Bars

Hot Chocolate

Hot Cider

Oatmeal

Nuts

Trail Mix

Jerky

Tootsie Pops

Tootsie Rolls

Drink Mixes

Holiday Mugs/Coffee Cups

Bubble Wrapping

Tissue Paper

Candy Canes

For more information about GHC and how you or your organization/business can help support/sponsor our troops please contact us directly at: GHC@gorge.net

Proudly,

Your GHC

September GHC Box Packing For Our Heroes Highlights

The members of The Gorge Heroes Club met this past Wednesday at WAAAM, the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon for our September box packing.  Here are some pictures of our fun!  (If you click on each picture, they will appear larger in another screen)

The Gorge Heroes Club members and community visitors who stopped by to sign cards to our heroes.  Each care package includes a personalized card made by our GHC Cards Team. 

Here GHC members are preparing the homemade cookies that our baking team made.  They were shipped to the deploying Oregon National Guard 3-116 CAV unit now at Camp Shelby, Miss.  Your cookies are on the way as promised! 

Some of the care package items that were donated by various community members to GHC for our monthly care packages.  We thank you and our troops thank you!

Members of the GHC sewing team, Roberta Clayton (standing) and Crystal Rau going over the final pattern selection for this year's Christmas stockings for our troops. 

GHC members and community supporters hand signed personal messages and "Thanks" to one of our wounded heroes.  The quilt was made by our GHC sewing team.

Lilly and Desiree Almarez stopped by sign a "special card" just for their hero, their Dad - Oregon National Guard member SGT Carlos Almaraz - member of the 3-116 CAV from The Dalles, Oregon.

GHC members along with community visitors putting together care packages for their heroes. 

What fun... it is just like Christmas filling these boxes... "What to choose?  What to choose?".....

GHC members putting the final touches on the care packages before sealing them.

Artwork on the outside of Oregon National Guard member SGT Carlos Almaraz - compliments of his daughter Lilly. 

Sisters Lily and Desiree Almarez proudly display the box they put together for their dad, SGT Carlos Almaraz - complete with personal notes and hard drawings on all sides of the box. 

The Gorge Heroes Club holds our monthly box packing's the fourth Wednesday of each  month, 5:30PM at WAAAM in Hood River, Oregon . 

GHC will be setting up a monthly box packing in The Dalles, Oregon starting in October. Please check back for finalized dates and times.

GHC has set up drop off points for care package items at the following locations:

WAAAM off Tucker Road - Hood River, Oregon Open 7 days per week, 9AM to 5PM

Windermere Glenn Taylor - Bingen Washington - Open Mon- Sat 9AM to 5PM

The Gorge Heroes Club is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization.  So, all your donations are tax deductible.

If you would like to find out about our adoption program, please drop us a line at ghc@gorge.net

Proudly,

Your GHC

Oregon National Guard 3-116 CAV Mobilization Ceremony Pictures

As the pictures come in from the 3-116 CAV Mobilization Ceremony we will be posting them here.  If you click on the pictures, they will appear larger in another link. 

If you would like to watch the ceremony here is a link to the event: http://www.dvidshub.net/tags/video/mobilization-ceremony

Soldiers with the Oregon Army National Guard's 3-116 Cavalry color guard take part in a mobilization ceremony at Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, Ore., Sept. 21. More than 600 Oregon Guard Members will join Soldiers from Idaho and Montana for a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office).

Members of the mounted Cavalry watch as Soldiers with the Oregon Army National Guard's 3-116 Cavalry take part in a mobilization ceremony at Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, Ore., Sept. 21. The more than 600 Oregon Guard Members will join Soldiers from Idaho and Montana for a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office).

Soldiers with the Oregon Army National Guard's 3-116 Cavalry color guard take part in a mobilization ceremony at Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, Ore., Sept. 21. More than 600 Oregon Guard Members will join Soldiers from Idaho and Montana for a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office).

Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski presents Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Phillip Appleton with the Oregon State flag during the mobilization ceremony for the 3-116 Cavalry at Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, Ore., Sept. 21. It is customary for Oregon units to fly the state flag above their Forward Operating Base in their deployed location, and as a tradition, Kulongoski presents the state flag to their commander at their mobilization ceremony. More than 600 Oregon Guard Members will join Soldiers from Idaho and Montana for a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office).

Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski greets Soldiers from 3-116 Cavalry following the unit’s mobilization ceremony at Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, Ore., Sept. 21. More than 600 Oregon Guard Members will join Soldiers from Idaho and Montana for a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. Kulongoski is serving his last term as Governor of Oregon and the Commander in Chief of the Oregon National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office).

Soldiers with the Oregon Army National Guard's 3-116 Cavalry take part in a mobilization ceremony at Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, Ore., Sept. 21. Friends, family members and fellow Oregon National Guard members packed the university's football stadium for the event, which was followed by a parade through downtown LaGrande. More than 600 Oregon Guard Members will join Soldiers from Idaho and Montana for a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office).

Friends, family members and well-wishers await Soldiers with the Oregon Army National Guard's 3-116 Cavalry following a mobilization ceremony at Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, Ore., Sept. 21. Thousands packed the university's football stadium for the event, which was followed by a parade through downtown LaGrande. More than 600 Oregon Guard Members will join Soldiers from Idaho and Montana for a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office).

Proudly,

Your GHC

Oregon National Guard - Hood River & The Dalles Deployment Information

The Oregon National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry, a part of the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat team, leaves Tuesday for a two-month training stint at Camp Shelby, Miss. The 3rd Battalion, which headquarters are in La Grande, consists of units from Ontario, Baker City, La Grande, Pendleton, Hermiston, The Dalles and Hood River. A total of 517 unit members will be deploying - 140 from The Dalles and 40 from Hood River, Oregonal National Guard units.

For a complete details of the deployment and the ceremony, please visit this link:
http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/News/Local-News/Big-send-off-set-Tuesday-for-3/116

There will be a LIVE feed of the ceremony. Here is the link: http://www.eousports.com/

The Gorge Heroes Club and community members will be meeting in front of  The Dalles Chronicle building in The Dalles, Oregon between 3AM and 3:30AM on Tuesday morning, Sept 21 to give our heroes a community send off and show our thanks for their commitment to our freedoms.  Please come and line the streets to show your support for our deploying heroes.

Here are some pictures from The Dalles Oregon National Guard Pre-Deployment Party at the Eagles Lodge in The Dalles:

The Dalles Oregon National Guard Unit and their families at the Pre-Deployment Party.

As pictures come in, we will be updating this post.

Proudly,
Your GHC

GHC Featured On "Localite" CGN 7 Television

The Gorge Heroes Club was recently featured on the television show "Localite" hosted by Jonn Crompton.  You can view the complete 30 minute episode by following this link:

http://www.localite.com/2010/07/gorge-heroes-club-2/

We appreciate your support.  Thank you!

Columbia Gorge Magazine Features GHC!

The Gorge Heroes Club would like to thank Matt Werbach for his great article about our organization that appeared in the Fall 2010 edition of Columbia Gorge Magazine, which is on stands now. We thank you and our heroes thank you!

Here is a link to another great article about GHC:

http://columbiagorge.com/matts-column/a-little-perspective/

 

Sponsor A Care Package For Only $12 A Month!

At 5:30PM on the fourth Wednesday of the month, The Gorge Heroes Club meets at the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum in Hood River to put together care packages for the deployed military residents of the Mid-Columbia region. We need items from the care package page link here: http://gorgeheroesclub.blogspot.com/p/care-package-supply-list.html  and we can also use donations to defer the cost of shipping the boxes month-to-month.

No time to shop? Heroes Club has started a program that will allow you to purchase a care package for a $12.00 donation to the club. The care package will be sent in your name, your company's name or your organizations name.... How easy it that?

Your tax deductible contributions can be sent to:

Gorge Heroes Club

1767 12th St. #113

Hood River, Oregon 97031

Or, you can contribute through our donation link on the right side of this blog.

For more information, please contact: gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com
Our Heroes thank you!

Hood River Hero CPTN Dale Goetz, Chaplain US Army Dies In Afghanistan

CPTN Dale Goetz, Chaplain US Army

With a sad heart... GHC has learned this morning that one of our Hometown Heroes, CPTN Dale Goetz, Chaplain US Army died Monday morning, Aug. 30, in Afghanistan. CPTN Goetz was one of four men killed by a roadside bomb while traveling in a convoy near Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. CPTN Goetz was a 1986 graduate of Horizon Christian School, Hood River, Or.

CPTN Goetz deployed to Afghanistan on Aug. 4 of 2010 and had a prior deployment to Iraq in 2004-05. CPTN Goetz will leave behind his wife Christina and three children.

 Please keep this Hero and his family in your hearts and prayers.

Hood River News link: http://www.hoodrivernews.com/august_goetz%20death.htm

News from our Heroes

GHC has received news from our Marines fighting on the front lines in Marjah.  It's a simple message... "The stoves kick ass!"  We are glad to hear it Marines!  Enjoy your warm meals, more care packages and water filtration systems are on their way!  Hoorah! 

GHC would like to thank it's members for jumping in and helping our Marines.  You are awesome!

Here one of our Home Town heroes receives a warm welcome from the village children.  (His name has been withheld due to security reasons).

Other Hero News:

"Dear GHC,

Thank you so much for the care packages I am receiving.  I share them with my unit.  We really appreciate the support."  A Marine stationed in Marjah

----------------------

The following is a portion of a letter GHC received from one of our Home Town Heroes. Portions have been removed for security reasons:

"Dear GHC,

I really appreciate everything you are doing for me.  I joined the Navy to be a corpsman.  That's one of the best things that happened to me.  I got attached to a Marine Company and just love it.  I got chosen to be part of this team and it has been the most incredible experiences that I've had.  I just love my team and they are like big brothers to me.  I am not letting anything happen to my brothers.  I plan on taking them all back home safe and sound. I won't let any of you down. Thank you for all your support and believing in me.  Say hello to everyone for me. With gratitude, Doc".

"Dear GHC,

Tell everyone we are all doing great, and the weather is cooling down. We are in the middle of a sandstorm, so, it makes it cooler. I just wish the breeze would stop. It's not like in Hood River, there is no wind surfing here. LOL.  Thanks again, MSGT Perez, Afghanistan"

Oregon National Guard News:

The members of the Hood River and The Dalles units of the Oregon National Guard have been conducting pre-deployment training at Gowen Field.  Thank your for your dedication and commitment!

Thanks received for a community member to our heroes to pass on:

"Dear Troops: God Bless and keep you in His love and protecting arms. You are in my daily prayers. We are so proud of all of you, protecting our beloved country. Again, may God keep you all safe and keep your families in His peace."

More Hero News:

We welcome Army Pvt. Shawn Chance home from a harrowing one-year deployment to Afghanistan. This soldier was assigned to the Fifth Stryker Brigade in Helmand Province that sustained many casualties. Welcome home Hero! We are glad that you returned safe and sound and it was our great honor to support you!

Army Sgt. Adam VandenBos could be heading to Afghanistan within the next two months.  GHC will be there to support you with great pride!

Army Pvt. Aaron Moses will be medically discharged in September due to back problems that have developed during his training at a base in Texas. Moses is a new father and will be transitioning back into the civilian world and we wish him and his family all of the best!

Army Pvt. Austin Grimm was severely burned in a training accident several months ago and is still recovering from his injuries. For that reason, he did not deploy to Afghanistan with his unit this spring and, although offered a discharge, he chose to remain in the military. Even in training, life can be dangerous for our Heroes and our prayers go out to this young soldier as with our all our heroes.

Army Pilot Amber Smith will complete her military contract in August and return to civilian life. Smith flew gunships to protect ground units during deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan and we thank her very much for her excellent service. GHC had the opportunity to visit with Amber recently and it was enlightening to hear about her experiences in the combat zones. Her sisters, Lacey and Kelly, remain in the military as Army and Air Force pilots, respectively.

GHC would like to welcome home Army Ssgt. Enid Hernandez.  We appreciate your dedication and commitment.  We wish you well!  We are honored to be supporting you during your deployment.

Proudly,

Your GHC

The Countdown Begins For SSGT Christian Bagge's New Home

The countdown begins for this Friday mornings opening ceremonies for the Homes For Our Troops building of Hood River's Hometown Hero SSGT Christian Bagge's new home. The ceremony is set to being at 8:30AM at the build site located on Nastasi Drive near Mt. Hood, Oregon. The build will run Friday, August 27th - Sunday, August 29th.

The Gorge Heroes Club has been assisting Homes For Our Troops, a national organization that is dedicated to building homes for injured troops with this event.    GHC has been securing donations of food and drinks for the volunteers all three days, as well as helping with the scheduling of the procession to the build site prior to the opening ceremonies as well as the ceremony itself. 

SSGT Bagge and his family will be proudly escorted by the Parkdale Oregon Rural Fire Department along with  representation from every fire department in Hood River Valley.  The Hood River County Sheriff's Department will also be in the procession as well as officials from Wasco County, the Patriot Guard Riders and members of the Gorge Gospel Riders.

The procession will begin at the Parkdale, Oregon Fire Station at approximately 8:15AM Friday morning and proceed north on Hwy 35 to the build site. Those attending are asked to park along HWY 35. Additional parking is available at the Valley Worship Center on Hwy 35, near the event site.

GHC would like to thank those who have donated to this event.  The response GHC has received has been nothing but remarkable!  We are truly blessed to have such dedicated individuals and businesses supporting GHC and our hometown heroes!

Please visit this link for additional information about this event:

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/august_bagge%201.htm

Driving Directions:

Off Oregon's I-84 heading East from Portland, OR, take exit 64.

Head south on HWY 35 towards Odell, OR/Mt Hood, OR approx 10 miles.


(You will go PAST the town of Odell junction, continue on up the mountain)


Nastasi drive is located on the right hand side of the hwy about one mile past a lumber mill which will be on your left. (The two lane hwy will change to one lane just before Nastasi Road)
 
Questions can be directed to:
ghc@gorge.net
 
Proudly,
Your GHC

Volunteers Needed To Help Build Home For Wounded Hometown Hero

SSGT Christian Bagge

President Bush and SSGT Bagge jogging on the White House Grounds.

Gorge Heroes Club (GHC) received a request for help from Home For Our Troops, a national organization that builds homes for wounded troops. They will be in Parkdale, Oregon on Friday, August 27, for three days building a new home for Ssgt. Christian Bagge, who lost his legs during a deployment in Iraq. Government dignitaries and representatives from participating investment firms, construction companies, media and volunteers will be present.

GHC is helping coordinate volunteers, item donations and the  program for the "opening ceremonies" before the work begins on the home. The opening ceremony will be held at 8:30AM on Friday, August 27th. For this event, we are requesting manpower and cookies from our members.

Here is the breakdown on the time frame for volunteering:

· Friday - 8AM to 6PM - Man the booth handing out drinks and snacks. Donate cookies for this day. We are expecting to feed 150 volunteers.


· Saturday - 8AM to 12 Noon - Man the booth handing out drinks and snacks.


· Saturday 12 Noon - 2PM - Help with the BBQ


· Saturday 2 PM to 6PM - Man the booth handing out drinks and snacks. Donate cookies for this day. We are expecting to feed 150 volunteers.


· Sunday - 8AM to 6PM - Man the booth handing out drinks and snacks. Donate cookies for this day. We are expecting to feed 150 volunteers.
 
Here is a link about the event:
http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ChristianBagge

If you can volunteer your time to help man the booth or supply cookies please e-mail us directly at: GHC@gorge.net.

Volunteers are also need to help build his new home.  Your help is greatly appreciated!

Proudly,
Your GHC

UPDATE Tuesday - August 18th

GHC has just received word that they are in urgent need of FRAMERS - NAIL GUNS & COMPRESSORS for the event.  If you can help, please contact us directly at ghc@gorge.net for details.

Any further urgent need requests will be posted both here and on the GHC Facebook page. 

The schedule of events will be posted here at the beginning of next week.