Marking the End of a Year of Change and Challenge

A Message from ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick

Twenty-twenty has been a year of tremendous challenge for our nation. Marked by a global health crisis, social unrest in protest of systemic inequity and racism, economic and housing uncertainty, and — in far too many cases — lives and livelihoods devastated.

Codified in the agency’s founding 75 years ago, our purpose has been reaffirmed in 2020 as so many Oregon veterans struggle to find additional resources to help them through this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. The work ODVA and its partners do every day aligns with one singular focus — to serve those who have served.

While this year has brought unique challenges, particularly concerning public health, it has also brought innumerable triumphs of the human spirit. We have seen veterans and those who serve them come together in myriad ways, leveraging the landscape of emerging technologies to continue to provide critical services and stay connected.

With the passage of the Blue Water Navy Act, this year has also brought a historical acknowledgment for those who suffered for decades with adverse health conditions due to their exposure to Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals while serving during the Vietnam War. With acknowledgment comes potential compensation for these veterans who were injured through their service.

In this issue, we will share the story of one Oregon veteran whose life was changed because of the Blue Water Navy Act and because of his dedication, as well as the hard work of local veteran service officers and ODVA who advocated on his behalf. We estimate there may be thousands more Blue Water Navy veterans or surviving spouses who are newly entitled to disability compensation benefits, and I encourage anyone who has questions about their eligibility to reach out to their nearest veteran service office.

In Oregon, veterans and their families have access to a robust network of free and local veteran services in all 36 counties across the state, including the new expansion of Tribal Veteran Service Offices on tribal land. These services that directly assist veterans in accessing resources and benefits across health, economy, and education are the result of generations of service members advocating to ensure appropriate treatment and resources are equitably available to all those who have served.

Veteran Service Officers in Oregon are part of the state’s VSO network of accredited representatives to assist all veterans and their families in accessing earned federal and state benefits. The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs ensures all VSOs across the state are trained, accredited, and have the most current information within their toolset to help veterans and their families obtain earned benefits and access other resources.

Whether a veteran needs assistance navigating VA benefits, filing a claim, or has questions about accessing other resources like healthcare, housing, employment, or emergency grants, scheduling an appointment with a VSO will be the start to accessing the best resources to fit their needs. A listing of accredited and free Veteran Service Offices is located on the back page of this issue of Oregon Veterans News Magazine.

As our state begins the hard work of recovery and healing from events in 2020, I share with you ODVA’s commitment to continue to serve all veterans and families through this challenging time.