Ron: Veterans' Service Honored Best with Actions

At Veterans Day weekend events in Portland and Albany, Ron emphasized how crucial it is to honor veterans’ service with concrete actions to care for their health and well-being when they return home.

In Portland, Ron, the proud son of parents who served in the Army during World War II, helped Portland-based Lines for Life kick off expanding its suicide prevention services for veterans and their families.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark Lines for Life’s new contract with the Veterans Crisis Line, Ron said he was gratified to have helped the Oregon organization expand its proven services for veterans.

“It’s essential that veterans and their families have such a strong team at the ready when they need help,” he said. “Veterans have earned this timely and top-notch support with their service.”

At a Veterans Day memorial service in Albany, Ron said the suicide rate in Oregon for veterans is twice the rate of non-veterans nationwide.

“We must do more to reduce this scourge of veteran suicide in our state,” he said “This has nothing to do with politics. Physical and mental health care for our veterans is a must.”

Every day is time to honor veterans and their timeless legacy of service, Ron noted.

“We have a lot to do to improve the health and assistance provided to veterans,” he said. “But let us close with strong commitments to show that we will always be there for veterans with concrete actions.

Lines for Life’s hotline is 1-800-273-8255.