Gulf War Awareness Month

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Washington County to honor veterans of the Gulf War Era

The Washington County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to issue a proclamation on Tuesday, August 18 at 10 a.m., in honor of all veterans who have served in the Gulf War and in recognition of the 30-year anniversary of the beginning of the Gulf War Era. At the meeting, Gulf War veterans and County staff members Jason Muehe and Daniel Perritt will provide a presentation to the Board leading up to the reading of the proclamation. Both Muehe and Perritt currently serve in the Disability, Aging and Veteran Services (DAVS) Division of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Board warmly invites all Gulf War veterans of Washington County, including those serving on staff, to attend virtually or in-person and be recognized for their service. The following options are available for those who would like to participate:

• View the Board meeting via live-stream from the County’s YouTube channel
• Join the meeting using Zoom’s virtual meeting technology. Instructions and a link to the August 18 meeting will be posted on the County’s website by Friday, August 14 at https://www.co.washington.or.us/BOC/Meetings/board-meeting-schedule.cfm
• Attend in person at the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building, Auditorium,
  155 North First Avenue, Hillsboro. (Face coverings are required and physical distance guidelines are in effect in all County buildings.)

Daniel Perritt, Veteran Service Officer, Navy FMF (Fleet Marine Force) Corpsman and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, has designed a commemorative pin as a token of appreciation for Washington County Gulf War veterans. Pins will be distributed at the Board meeting to Gulf War veterans in attendance by Commissioner Jerry Willey. Commissioner Willey, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, first suggested that the Board issue the proclamation and feels strongly that the County should reaffirm support for Gulf War veterans in particular. “Most of our military conflicts have had a single cohort who have been recognized and honored in various ways. The Gulf War period is truly unique in that continues to this day, 30 years later. Over half of Washington County veterans are Gulf War veterans of various operations and campaigns and span three generations. I’m really pleased that we have this opportunity to honor these brave men and women who have given so much to our country.”

Gulf War veterans who would like to receive a pin but are unable to attend in person can contact Veteran Services Supervisor Vicki Horn at 503-846-3051 or via email at [email protected].

The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes August 2, 1990 as the beginning of the Gulf War, making it the longest wartime era in U.S. history. The Gulf War began with Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and also includes Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the more commonly referred to “War on Terrorism.”

For more information about Disability, Aging and Veteran Services, including available supportive services for veterans, please visit https://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/DAVS/Veterans/index.cfm or call 503-846-3060.

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