Josephine County Improves Veterans Services Starting with Education
A sign graces those entering into Josephine County with the bold statement, “We Honor Our Veterans.” Then come May, American and POW flags line our main roads and bridges. But besides the flags and pomp and circumstance, what is Josephine county really doing to honor our heroes; not just the fallen but those still working to maintain some form of normality in civilian life? Though Veterans for years have argued that the lack of resources within our local community have left much to be desired, things have slowly but surely begun to improve. A huge reason behind this turn around has actually started at the level of Rogue Community College.
Flags of the branches of Military line the newly built veterans resource center at Rogue Community College. (Summer Mincks)
Ask many of the younger generation of veterans in the area and they will say that the biggest turn around they have seen has been thanks to Nikki Johnson, the Veterans Coordinator at RCC. Since joining the team of veterans services at the college in 2009, Nikki has seen some dramatic changes and improvements both at the school and within the community. These changes give her a feeling of hope for current and future generations of veterans in Josephine County.
Growing up in a military family, her father being a soldier himself, has given her a deep passion for her role, not just with RCC but also with helping veterans within the area. When asked what her favorite thing about her position is, she answers with a confident smile.
“Helping our local vets,” she says, “working with them and helping them.”
With the work of Nikki, her supervisor, and various other staff members at the college Veterans are starting to see more of the benefits they have so rightfully earned come to fruition.
Support for the various branches of services can be seen throughout the veterans resource center at Rogue Community College as it is decorated with flags and banners. (Summer Mincks)
Walking around the campus Nikki discusses a recent visit from senator Greg Walden, where she and others involved with our service members in the community, were able to voice their concerns and suggest innovative ways to improve the lives of our area’s veterans.
“He was able to see how lacking our area really is,” she states when referring to the eye opening visit with the representative.
Seeing changes like the informing of politicians and grants being allotted solely to provide resources for local student veterans improves the outlook for future vets making their way into civilian life.
Though the improvements are most certainly being seen within the school, the majority of veterans in the area still say that the lack of local medical resources is a huge problem.
A carved marble sign labels the entrance into the Veterans Walk of Honor in Merlin, Oregon. (Summer Mincks)
In 2014 CBOC, a VA centered outpatient clinic was opened on Williams Highway in Grants Pass Oregon. Though it has allowed a much broader area of care for local veterans and families on the military based insurance programs, it is very little spoken of in the community. Often veterans are making the drives to the source VA Clinic in White City, or continuing the trek up North to facilities in Roseburg and further to the primary VA Hospital in Portland.
The wait time to get care or obtain medical resources in our area has also been a major concern as veterans often have to wait several months before getting simple appointments. For those that have the insurance coverage or can afford the out of pocket expense, having a primary care provider is their main goal.
With things like hearing tests, EKG’s and scans taking several months to obtain, veterans are often left in the dark where their health is concerned.
Marble towers are carved with names of the fallen throughout the Veterans Walk of Honor in
Merlin, Oregon. (Summer Mincks)
Though there are still major concerns within the community on lack of resources for military and military families, it is clear to see that improvements are being made. With enough people becoming aware of the situations and the issues that veterans face in the area, people like Nikki Johnson hope to see significant improvements in the near future.
Shirley Landstrom, a local Air Force widow, is excited to see the new improvements for services in the area, after seeing her husband’s struggle to find resources and share those resources with veterans within the community.
“It’s time something was done for our troops that have given so much, and have gotten so little in return,” she says. “I’m excited to hear about the new resources in the community and thrilled to hear of the successes of the college.”
Memorial flowers still sit vibrantly to memorialize the fallen troops from Josephine County at the Veterans Walk of Honor in Merlin, Oregon. (Summer Mincks)
Making sure that our nations heroes have the resources they need for adjustment and wellness is about so much more than just being socially responsible. It is about the ability to speak to each of our troops on an emotional and powerful level and say with complete faith and truth, “Thank you for what you have done.”
