Rogue
Valley Chapter 156 News
Newsletter of Rogue Valley Veterans for Peace Chapter 156
Visit
our website at: http://rv-vfp156.org
Volume
2, Issue 1 January 2, 2012
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You
are invited to our next chapter meeting Wed., Jan. 4, 2012
We’ll
meet in the home of our chapter president, Daniel Guy, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday,
January 4, at 3401 Creek View Dr., Medford, OR 97504.
Daniel invites us to come early at 6 p.m. to enjoy some social time and
some of his famous vegetarian chili & finger foods.
Creek View Drive T’s into North Phoenix Road just south of the
Albertson shopping center at Barnett at N. Phoenix Rd.
It’s easy to find. We’ll be
discussing plans for the “Represent Me or Arrest Me” fundraising concert
for the ‘Medford 6,’ starring the Rogue Suspects, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday,
Jan. 5th, at Roscoe’s BBQ in Phoenix and other issues of interest to
members. Bring your thoughts and ideas to the meeting.
Peace-loving folks -- whether veterans or not -- are all invited.
KEEP
SCROLLING DOWN TO SEE WHO OUR JANUARY MEMBER OF THE MONTH IS!!
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Come
celebrate Occupy Medford at Roscoe’s BBQ Thursday, Jan. 5th
~Rogue
suspects~
~Pete
herzog~
~Patrick
tovatt~
On
12-5-2011, six courageous Rogue Valley citizens were arrested in an act of
civil disobedience. They occupied Rep. Greg Walden’s Medford office to call
attention to the U.S. 2nd District Congressman’s continued support of the
interests of the wealthiest Americans and those who run the largest
corporations.
Let’s
turn out in support of the MEDFORD 6
(and have some fun doing it) at this fantastic musical fundraiser!
Funds
will help cover legal fees, fines, future civil disobedience actions
THURSDAY,
January 5, 2012
Roscoe’s
bbq
117
S. main st., phoenix, or
6:30-9:30
pm
For
more info, call Allen Hallmark 541-474-0288
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Our
VFP Rogue Chapter 156 Member of the month: Howard
Owens
Howard
Owens
(Editor’s
note: It’s great to have Howard back
as a dues-paying member of Veterans for Peace after a year’s hiatus due to a
difference of opinion with an action in DC authorized by national VFP
leadership. After a long career in
California as an executive for the UAW and serving on numerous boards and
commissions, Howard and his wife Dixie retired and moved to Grants Pass a
number of years ago. An outspoken
progressive, Howard ran for state representative in Oregon House District 3 in
2006 but was defeated by Republican Ron Maurer.
You can often find Howard participating in rallies outside the
Josephine County Courthouse on Thursdays with Occupy Grants Pass.
He’s a great guy to talk to, so chat him up when you see him out on
Sixth St.)
Where
were you born and raised? Did you have
family members who were in the military? Describe
your life before the military.
I
was born in Cave Springs, Arkansas. My
father was drafted during WWII but was turned down because of a deaf ear and a
missing right index finger.
Since
this was in the throes of the depression, we moved around a lot with my father
trying to get work to sustain us. In
1937 we moved to southern Illinois, where dad worked on a farm and, later for
Martin Oil pumping gas. Dad got a settlement for the loss of his finger and
things got a lot better. The settlement was about $500 which was a lot of
money to us.
We
moved back to Arkansas because Mom wanted to be near her relatives in the
event Dad was to go to war.
When
were you inducted into the military? what service? and describe how and why
you went into the military.
After
a short stint in the University of Arkansas, I decided to enlist In the Navy.
I entered the service in a program called U.S. Naval Enlisted
Volunteer. (USNEV). Under USNEV you did one year in active Service and four
years in Active Reserve or six years in Inactive Reserve. I chose the Active
and after one year of active duty, I became a week-end warrior in North
Hollywood, Calif.
At
the outset of the Korean War I was called to report with my sea-bag packed.
When I showed up as ordered, I was given a physical and rejected
because of poor eye sight. (I credited this to having a three-night/three-day
party with my buddies to say farewell before reporting for duty. My vision was
good enough that I didn’t wear glasses for several years afterward.)
By
this time I was working for General Motors, so I just returned to work.
Although I retired from GM 36 years later, I spent 31 of those years on leave
of absence to work for the union (United Auto Workers).
As
to why I went into the service, I didn’t have anything else that I wanted to
do.
How
long were you in the military? Did you
consider re-enlisting? What was your
rank upon discharge?
I
was in the Active Navy for one year. I believe I was in Reserve about two
years, when I failed my physical and was sent a discharge shortly thereafter.
When I left, I was Seaman Third Class, which was the Navy’s lowest
rank. I actually did consider
re-enlisting early on, when they offered to send me to Officer’s Candidate
School; however, I wasn’t enjoying the experience, so I declined.
After
discharge did you go to college or technical school?
Pick up any degrees?
Yes,
but they were not with government support.
What
have you done for a living in the years since you were in the military?
I
hired in at General Motors. I served three terms as President of United Auto
Workers Local 645 (in California). Then, Walter Reuther (UAW
president from 1946 till his death in a plane crash in 1970) appointed me
an Internal Union Representative. Later, I became Assistant Regional Director
for an area covering 13 western states.
Are
you in touch with any of your fellow service members from your time in the
military?
No.
When
and where did you first get involved in public peace activities? What caused
you to join Veterans for Peace?
My
union was very peace orientated. I think my activities began by the time I was
22. I was involved in the civil rights struggles and the efforts to get the
U.S. out of Vietnam. I initiated a
number of contacts with the Soviet Union and China.
While I felt that communism wasn’t very productive, I also felt
strongly that our isolationist policies were not in our own best interest.
Describe
your experience as a member of VFP RV Chapter 156.
I
haven’t been very active. Shortly after I joined there was a pronouncement
by the leaders that I didn’t agree with, so I sort of stood aside.