American Legion National Vice Commander Randy D. Edwards visited the Department of Oregon on October 25-29 to lend leadership and support to membership efforts in District 4 of southwestern Oregon. It was Edwards’ first departmental visit conducted during his year as national vice commander of the Western Division. While his words, “I’m here to work” were shared mere minutes upon his arrival at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport, little did those in the travel party realize that the nearly four-day visit would spur key new engagements and partnering opportunities.
Scheduled stops on the visit included Legion Family member engagements at Grants Pass Post 28, Williams Valley Post 50, and Klamath Falls Post 8, where Edwards’ shared messages of “Be the One,” the importance of servant leadership and how The American Legion’s many programs lead to changing lives and saving lives. Buddy checks, membership renewal contacts and providing veteran service officer support were among the activities at varying stops of the trip. Also included during Edwards’ visit was a tour of the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls. Kingsley Field, known as “The Land of No Slack” is home to the 173rd Fighter Wing and training squadron where all U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard F-15C pilots train.
During a key capstone leadership meeting following the tour, American Legion leadership, including Edwards, Department Commander Cory Brockmann and National Executive Committeeman Kevin Owens, among others, briefed Colonel Bouma and 173rd Fighter Wing leadership, along with State Representative Emily McIntire, on “Be the One,” the Legion’s initiative to destigmatize asking for mental health help and further help to bring an end to veteran suicide, a top priority of the American Legion.
Other key discussion points included Kingsley Field’s Resiliency Operations Center (ROC) and the role it plays in today’s airmen readiness and wellness and the STARBASE program, a youth STEM program targeting fifth-grade students and its importance in providing science-based creative thinking.
A key outcome will be collaboration between the Department of Oregon leadership and McIntire, an Oregon Girls State alumni, to draft legislation for the funding of Oregon’s Boys and Girls State programs. The idea arose in discussions as Edwards shared just how such an endeavor was done successfully between the state of Utah and the American Legion Department of Utah.