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Orientation - What's this all about

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 17:11 | Jeff Bier
It started with reading an article in the local Vancouver, WA newspaper (The Columbian) on May 22, 2009. A new veterans' center was about to open just a mile south of where I live and it's focus is to help military veterans reintegrate into society and their local communities. I had been thinking for several months now about volunteering with a new organization here in Vancouver, WA. I had spent the past several years (15+) helping out at my church, with the Boy Scouts, with Portland food banks, and a national fraternal organization (Thrivent Financial for Lutherans). I had been a worker then in leadership positions with all of them. And time comes when you have to let go and let others lead, so I did just that. Now was time to move on to something else, and this looked like it could be just the thing. I had thought about volunteering my time at the local USO at the airport (PDX) or getting involved with my local Air Force Association chapter at the airport. Either way it is a drive across the river into "that other" state. You know, "the Peoples' Socialist Republic of Oregon". Anyway, I digress. Since it was so close to home and something that would help fellow veterans, I wanted to know more about it. The Center is currently only open from Noon to 3 PM, Mondays through Fridays, so what do you think I did? I walked the 1.5 miles from my house at 9:30 AM only to find it closed until Noon. Well I needed the exercise anyway, so I walked back home and came back at 2PM the same day. When I came back, fellow new learned Tim Richardson was manning the post. I came in and we talked for some time about what the Center was for and how I might help out as a volunteer. Tim invited me to come back later in the month to meet the organization's founder, Albert Renteria, who would be stopping by for a visit. I thanked Tim for the information and invitation to return. I went home and registered online that day. Then just a few days ago, I came back (on Sunday after work) and met Big Al. We talked and he went over with me the program and its steps. I originally just wanted to volunteer with the running of the Center, but Al talked me into becoming a learner too. It made sense to go through what I would be asking others to do. I've done it before, and going through the program myself has always helped me in being a better volunteer worker and then leader. So here I am and here I go off on yet another of Life's journeys. Hope you'll take it with me as I open up my life, my hopes, my dreams, and my heart on this new path that the Good Lord has brought me to. Hope to hear from you soon as posts to my blog.

Comments

  • Wednesday, July 01, 2009 08:14 | LeRoy Scheller Jr
    Welcome to the group and I look forward to reading about your future and past journeys.
    Link  •  Reply
    • Tuesday, July 28, 2009 17:16 | Jeff Bier
      Thanks for the welcome. Keep coming back. I plan at least one new chapter every month for the next year.
      Link  •  Reply
  • Wednesday, July 01, 2009 09:50 | Deleted user
    Here to support you with information, knowledge, leadership and friendship.

    Here 24/7... Call anytime!

    Jim Smith
    714-797-6382
    Link  •  Reply
    • Tuesday, July 28, 2009 17:16 | Jeff Bier
      I will keep that in mind. I will use resources when I need them. Count on it.
      Link  •  Reply
  • Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:57 | Deleted user
    Hello Jeff. Welcome to this great organization, fellow Veteran.
    I am delighted to have you aboard. Your previous volunteer work sounds honorable and I am certain you will become a star as one of SWVBRC's learner's andas a volunteer. You made me laugh with your comment about Oregon. While in the Air Force were you by any chance stationed at SAC Headquarters, Omaha, NE?
    If so, hope you think more kindly of my home state. While I was on active duty in the Navy, I was constantly teased about the state having nothing but Cowboys and Indians. I maintained Nebraska license plates on my automobile. I was proud that I might still have a few hay seeds in my hair.
    The dairy farm I was raised on sold Grade A milk to the Army Air Force base in Lincoln, NE. When they would come to inspect our milk barn, I was impressed at age 10 of the men in uniform.
    Likely the beginning of my interest in the military.
    I wish you the best in your new endeavor.
    Anchors Aweigh. Carol
    Link  •  Reply
    • Wednesday, July 01, 2009 13:26 | Eleanor Tobias
      Jeff, this is just GREAT!!! I was so very happy to meet you at the Orientation, with all the other new learners, and hoped that you would like taking on one of the volunteer jobs. Your background makes you a perfect candidate and I know you will find this organization just as rewarding. There is nothing more important, in my mind, than helping our wonderful veterans reintegrate, or, just helping any veteran. I don't need to tell you how much they offered for all of us. I am mindful of this every day. As you know, I am a Marine widow, and as such I hope you know that marrying a Marine is the same as going through boot camp :-). Seriously, we all learn from the source what it means to dedicate ones life to the service of their country, and appreciate it thoroughly.
      Congratulations!!! We welcome you with open arms! Fran
      Link  •  Reply
    • Tuesday, July 07, 2009 06:20 | Jeff Bier
      I was with the USAF ROTC detachment at the University of Nebraska at Omaha while I was in Nebraska. I was in SAC at one time but stationed at Minot AFB, ND. Stories to come later about my fun times there in the mid-'70s.
      Link  •  Reply
      • Thursday, July 23, 2009 12:05 | Deleted user
        Ah So. What use to be University of Omaha out on Dodge Street. I attended classes there in my Freshman year of Nurses Training.
        Minot, ND. I know about that fair city from taking a course to become a travel agent. As I vaguely remember, small as it is the airport is an International Airport.
        SAC is now Offutt Air Force Base. I still like to think of it as SAC. Do you remember that is where they took the President on 9/11?
        Once I considered switching to the Air Force. I wanted to be a flight nurse and the Navy had discontinued their flight nurse program. I missed the last class, although accepted, becuase I was assigned to go on Escort Duty.
        Escort Duty to Nebraska in January was not such a great thing. It was so cold I had to ask the pall bearers to fold the flag for me so I could present it to the mother.
        Lifes little adventures.
        Carol
        Link  •  Reply
        • Tuesday, July 28, 2009 17:19 | Jeff Bier
          I haven't been back to Omaha in over 25 years. Maybe so day I'll go and visit again.
          Link  •  Reply
  • Thursday, July 02, 2009 08:10 | Deleted user
    Jeff,

    Welcome aboard! I have enjoyed talking with you and I am excited that you decided to join us on this journey. Your experience and enthusiasm is most welcome. I know that I will learn something new from you.

    All the best,

    Tim
    Link  •  Reply
    • Tuesday, July 28, 2009 17:19 | Jeff Bier
      I look foward to working with you in the Vancouver, WA office.
      Link  •  Reply
  • Sunday, July 05, 2009 12:01 | Chris Thayer
    Hello Jeff and welcome to SWVBRC.
    I am so glad you decided to volunteer to help run the center and become a Learner too. I haven’t met Fran Tobias in person but I feel like I know her from talking with her on the phone. She is quite an amazing person too.

    I have read the steps and the SWVBRC WebPages and links and think the 14-step reintegration program is terrific. I am in school working on my business degree so I can have my own business and provide a better income for myself, but if I was a veteran I would sign up to be a Learner as the tools Albert Renteria provides and insights he shares are excellent business models and resources for success. I have a school loan for thousands of dollars that I will be paying back for a long time so I can appreciate that Al is sharing his insights, experience and education through the SWVBRC programs as he believes that it is the veterans "earned right" to succeed and part of that success is having the right tools and environment to learn and grow in.

    Thank you for your service to our country. I am inspired by all the blogs I am reading and what valuable resources we have in our veterans. I am proud to be a volunteer also with SWVBRC and am humbled by the kindness, strength, intelligence, and day to day bravery I am seeing and reading about in getting to know our veterans and by reading the Learner blogs. Having ALL of you as examples of patriotism, honor and commitment to our country is making me a better person and a better citizen.
    God Bless and I look forward to reading your future posts. Chris
    Link  •  Reply
    • Tuesday, July 28, 2009 17:21 | Jeff Bier
      Stop on by some Wednesday and will talk old "war stories' about small businesses and starting you own.
      Link  •  Reply
  • Friday, July 17, 2009 08:09 | Jennifer Schlueter
    I just want to say that this sounds pretty cool. I think you will enjoy this.
    Link  •  Reply
    • Tuesday, July 28, 2009 17:23 | Jeff Bier
      Please don't forget to get some of your fellow Marines to log on and read these blogs then leave comments. We'll be here for them if and when they get out and want help getting back into the civilian side of things.
      Link  •  Reply

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