Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Invest in Veterans Week
March 1-7, 2022
(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Chris Boice, and Tom Kress were proud
to issue a proclamation in honor of Douglas County Invest in Veterans Week during their weekly business meeting
today, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. The proclamation recognizes the important role that our United States Military
Veterans play in the economic and social vitality of Douglas County.
Commissioner Tim Freeman read the proclamation and presented 17 Douglas County businesses and 5 Douglas
County citizens with ‘Invest in Veteran’s Week’ certificates to honor their service to other veterans, their service to our
country, for hiring veterans, and for their veteran-owned businesses. The accolades were divided into three groups:
veterans who invest in veterans, businesses that hire veterans, and veteran-owned businesses. He then spoke about the
honorable actions of several veterans in the room, as well as his favorite veteran, Mel Cheney, a U.S. Army veteran,
formerly with the Community Cancer Center. A copy of the video from the presentation can be found on the Douglas
County Government Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment. Attending the
the presentation today were:
VETERANS WHO INVEST IN VETERANS
Jim Little, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Navy, Retired, DC Veterans Advisory Council
John Pierson, Staff Sgt. U.S. Air Force, Retired, Military Honors by the Pipes, DC Veterans Advisory Council
Mary Newman-Keyes, Douglas County Veterans Service Officer
Carol Hunt, Wings of Love, Douglas County Veterans Day Parade Committee, Douglas County Veterans Forum
and Douglas County Advisory Council
Dan Loomis, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, Retired, Douglas County Veterans Day Parade Committee
Mel Cheney, U.S. Army Veteran, Retired from the Community Cancer Center
BUSINESSES WHO HIRE VETERANS
Michael Kurtz, U.S. Army Veteran, Human Resources Director, Douglas County Government
John Phillips, U.S. Air Force Retired, Emergency Manager, Roseburg VA
Nikol Hansen, Public Affairs Specialist, Roseburg VA
Sarah Baumgartner, Communications Director, CHI Mercy Medical Center
KC Bolton, U.S. Army Veteran, CEO Aviva Health
Jim Baird, General Manager, Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority
Steve Lusch, U.S. Army Veteran, Collection Systems Superintendent, Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority
Andy Owens, CEO, A&M Transport
Joe Moody, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Safety & Personnel Director, A&M Transport
Steve and Kelly Burton, Owners Roseburg Grocery Outlet
Toby Luther, CEO, Lone Rock Timber, and Abby’s Pizza
Chris Allmendinger, U.S. Army Veteran, Lone Rock Timber/Abbys’ Pizza
Allen Seamans, U.S. Navy Veteran, Lone Rock Timber/Abbys’ Pizza
VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES
Rusty and Elena Lininger, U.S. Army Veteran, Owners, Source One Serenity
Cecilia McMullen, U.S. Army Veteran, Volunteer, Source One Serenity
Josh Murphy, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Umpqua Survival, Invictus Technical Solutions, Triptych
Construction and Kester Foods
Chris Lamont, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Umpqua Survival, Invictus Technical Solutions, Triptych
Construction and Kester Foods
Jason Ainslie, U.S. Army Veteran, Owner Wagonhoffer Meats
Kerry White, U.S. Navy Veteran, Owner Wagonhoffer Meats
John Woods, Owner Wagonhoffer Meats
Sam Gross, U.S. Army Veteran, Logger’s Pizza.
At the end of the presentation, Jim Little approached the podium and added to the honors by praising
Commissioner Tim Freeman for his continued dedication and service to Douglas County Veterans.
“A heartfelt thank you to all of these folks and to everyone and every business that do so much to honor and
invest in our local veterans,” stated Commissioner Freeman.
Media Contacts: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist,
Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us
(Proclamation and Photos Attached, and are available upon request)
