Desk of the Chairman September 2026

From the Desk of the Chairman

September is here and school begins, so watch out for the little ones, especially around school zones.  September 2^nd is V-J Day from WW2.  September 7^th is Labor Day while September 11^th is Patriots Day.  September 18^th is the birthday for the US Air Force as well as the Air National Guard.  It also is National POW-MIA Recognition Day.  Autumn begins on September 22^nd.  In conjunction with our VeteRun project, September is also National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Too many veterans take their own life due to an inability to cope.  We all need to pay attention to our family and friend who are struggling and stop being afraid to ask that tough question as to whether they are considering ending it all.

Rogue Chapter sits at having awarded 2,131 Medallions.  The details of how much Medallions will cost and whether they will come with the tins is still not decided.  As you can see from the number of Medallions that our chapter has presented, we have a vested interest in this program and only want to see all veterans one day to receive the recognition that they deserve.  We will be presenting Medallions to all veterans going on our local Honor Flight this month as well as next.  I just spoke with a retired Army E9 in Indiana who has offered to assist in coordinating Medallion presentations to a local Honor Flight in Indiana.

The August Member of the Month was Ron Wright.  Ron is a Navy veteran and member of the chapter who lives in Grants Pass.  He has been actively presenting Medallions to deserving veterans.  He has been traveling all over the state presenting dozens of Medallions, most recently at a Combat Veterans Bike Build.  He has been active at local veteran breakfasts and helping out at local fund raisers.  Job well done! Who will be next?  Maybe it will be you!

I had a conversation to a member from Midwest today who brought up the question as to whether NCOA is still alive.  The answer is a resounding YES!  During our discussion, some opportunities to make a difference in the lives of our troops and their families as well as for retirees and those who have separated.  He brought up that the USO is always looking for volunteers and if you are near one, please consider giving back to them and helping those still serving.  I was grateful to the USO for putting on shows while I was in Iraq and being in tome of the major airports to give tired traveling service members and veterans a place to relax while waiting for their next flight.  Consider helping if there is a USO near you!

As we get closer to the end of the year and the holidays, all of us go through a variety of emotional twists.  Some become happy because of family and memories of joy and unity and some sink into depression because of bad things that happened in their lives during this time.  Be sensitive to your family and friends and if they start pulling away or acting down, don’t just pass it off.  They may need some help and you may be the only one that they will pay attention to.  In the military, we leave no man or woman behind and that goes for after the military as well.

I would love to hear from all of you with your thoughts and suggestions.  If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact me at [email protected] and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.

Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,

MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines, USNR Retired

Chairman, Rogue Chapter #1260