Ladies and Gentlemen,

In 1636, the roots of the National Guard were formed in Massachusetts when the first muster and call to duty was received. Facing a threat, citizens in the town grabbed their muskets, stood a line, and prepared to defend the citizens of the colony.

This was 375 years ago.

Since that time, we have evolved into a viable, cost-effective solution to our National Defense. There are few Oregon National Guardsmen who have not been impacted by the changes our nation has faced. Yes, the threat has changed, but the common function has not.

Today, we have proven time and again, that the National Guard can function at approximately 50 cents on the dollar for an active duty counter part. We are even more cost effective that the Active Duty Reserve Component.

We awake in the early morning hours, often when it is still dark outside, our spouses and children sleep, and we don our uniforms and boots to head to drill or work. We do not complain about it, balk about it, or otherwise seek personal gain or recognition for our choice; it is a spirit within us that allows us to serve.

Businesses and members of our community do not know our history. They do not understand the critical function the National Guard served 375 years ago, and still serves today. From fires to floods, National Emergencies to National Defense, the common thread in all of this is the National Guard. Very few people in your community are not affected by your choice to serve. Share your story with them!

In addition to the financial side of the house, we have lost businesses, friends, family members, and more by virtue of our decision to serve. Our communities see that part of their National Guard.

Today, our nation seeks to find financial solutions to our economic problems. Many different ideas are on the table as DOD aims to cut between $300 Billion and $1.2 Trillion from their budget over the next ten years. Some of the cuts they are seeking involve benefits for those that have selflessly served: You…and I. Some of them involve complete mission sets and supporting aircraft and equipment; all of which involve the people and the resources that support them: namely jobs and incomes in Oregon.

There are retirees in Oregon who are sitting at home and watching, and probably asking how they can help, what they can do, and how to be heard in this fight. If the spirit of service remains active within their core, they cannot sit and watch as the gutting of the guard occurs. Their healthcare benefits, cost of living allowances, etc. are all on the chopping block.

Like this, forward this, post this, communicate this, and ask every person who currently wears a uniform, or has in the past to get involved.

This is a Call to Action, just like in 1636. No, you can leave your musket at home, but I do need everyone to act!

Here is what you CAN do:

1. Do not sit idly by and watch as this happens, only then to ask yourself “What could I have done to keep this from happening?” – Join your association and help us fuel our fight with the membership voice and resources needed right now – this is a personal call to action directed at YOU! The time for involvement is BEFORE a decision is made, not after one has been reached.
2. Go to our website (http://www.eangor.com/) and use the Write to Congress to get your voice in front of your elected officials. The present approval rating is less than 15% for our elected officials, and undoubtedly they are trying to figure our what interests to serve and what decisions to make. You can be assured that the voices they hear most, and frequently, will direct their choices and votes. Let them know you do not care if they are red or blue, so long as they are “Red, White and Blue.” – Rep Walz.
3. Share your story in your community, at your church, in your civic organizations. Teach people the impact the potential losses can have on their economies and protection.
4. Sign a new member into the organization (and yourself or renew if you are not a current member)
5. Understand the importance of Your Enlisted Association, their functions, history, and how they work to protect you. Ignorance is not bliss, and will only serve to ensure failure…I for one will not stand by while that happens. For those who do not remember, the Associations protected us during the BRAC push in Portland, and ensured a vital National Guard mission remained in the state. Today, DOD is not looking to use BRAC channels, due to the political ramifications of that venue, and rather is looking at mission sets and equipment that belongs to them. Yes, we support that equipment, but if the decision is made to remove the Federally owned equipment, what will happen to the people and support resources allocated to them? There are many organizations you can join, all of which have a focus, mission and goal. Each of them-like Your Enlisted Association-is working overtime right now to jockey their agenda in front of the elected officials. When the gutting continues, and choices are made, I remain confident that the only association that is going to truly fight for me as an Enlisted National Guardsmen is EANGUS; they and NGAUS are the only associations that represent me as an Oregon Guardsman.
6. Finally, put down your attitudes and biases about associations. The reality is, they will continue to fight for you even if you are NOT a member. That is what we do! If you are not supportive of associations, I respect that; however ask that you discontinue infecting those who serve underneath you. They only know what you share with them, and telling them misinformation is not serving your position well. Teach them; mentor them, let them make their decision on the validity of the work of the associations.

When the dust settles from the work of the Super Committee and the partisan politics in D.C., we will look back on this and ask ourselves one of two questions:

1. Did I do everything I could to respond to the call to action? Was I a member, involved, participating, educating, and sharing the vital need to be represented in this fight?

OR

2. Did I simply stand by and watch it happen, wishing I could have done something to affect the change needed to protect my position, enlistment, subordinates and people I serve with?

This is a choice…..this is a call to action….this is YOUR heritage as a National Guardsman.

Joseph Brewer
President

EANGOR has introduced a new application available for ALL members to use to help with our membership efforts.  We now have available the Intuit GoPayment Services.  This services enables any authorized member to download and install an application for their iPhone, Android, or Blackberry Device and rapidly sign a member up on the fly, with a credit/debit card.  This service allows us to work on the go, on the drill weekend, or out and about.  Simply share the value of EANGOR with your peers, and then ask them to become a member!  Whip out your phone, complete their information, and the process is complete!  The member is signed up, and the process took a minute.

In order to use the service, you have to establish a login account with our accounting system.  If you are interested in using this to aid the organization in our membership efforts, simply This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us, and we will get you setup.  The software you need to download on your phone is free, as is the service.  We set you up, and you are off and running. Click the Article Title to see the compatible devices! Read more...

Oregon is hosting the EANGUS Area VI and VII Mid-Winter Conference in Portland, OR - Feb 2012.  Anyone wishing to register for the event, can register online by clicking HERE.