Leno appointed to Oregon Veterans' Affairs Advisory Committee

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown appointed Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee on Wednesday, March 16.

Leno, who served in Vietnam from 1970 to ’71 with the Marine Corps, will serve a four-year term lasting through March 15, 2020.

The Advisory Committee is a group of nine military veterans appointed by Oregon’s governor to provide counsel to state Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Cameron Smith on all veterans’ issues and concerns in the state.

Leno said he heard about the opening on the Advisory Committee from Steve Bobb Sr., chair of the Tribe’s Veterans Special Event Board and a fellow Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veteran.

“I looked into it to see if there was an opportunity to put in for it,” Leno said. “I gathered up information to see if it was something I could do along with my job as Tribal chair. I think as long as I schedule out and Jack (Giffen Jr., Tribal Council vice chair) can certainly step up for a day.”

“It’s always exciting to welcome new members to the Advisory Committee who bring with them a unique perspective and personal approach,” Smith said. “Chair Reyn Leno brings a wealth of experience to our committee, both as a Vietnam veteran and as a leader in the Tribal community.

“As we strive to better serve all veterans, we are excited to continue to grow our partnerships and better connect with Tribal veterans across Oregon. Tribal veterans have served at a higher level per capita than any other group and face unique challenges as they seek to access their earned benefits. We are very fortunate to have the volunteer support and efforts of our Advisory Committee members to help make us better advocates for Oregon veterans.”

The Advisory Committee meets quarterly on the first Wednesday in March, June, September and December. The next meeting will be held on June 1 in Klamath Falls.

Leno becomes the second Grand Ronde Tribal member to be appointed to the Advisory Committee. Tribal Elder and Vietnam War-era Navy veteran Gene LaBonte was appointed to a four-year term on the committee in 2008 and was elected to serve as chair for one year in 2009.

“I actually talked to Gene,” Leno said. “He said there was a lot of travel. That kind of scared me a little bit, but I found out they only meet quarterly and, of course, one thing I love to talk about is Native Americans and veterans. I think that veterans are really special.”

Leno said the appointment means having the opportunity to provide a voice for veterans on specific issues.

“I think there is too much paperwork for veterans,” Leno said. “I think one part of my role might be, because I’ve done it for the Tribe for so long, is you need to talk to the guys at the top. You need to talk to senators and congressmen in D.C. And you need to explain to them why veterans can’t wait this long. I think I have done that for the Tribe and I think I can do some of that for veterans.”

Leno said he hopes to improve Oregon’s low participation rate among veterans who access their earned benefits.

“I’d like to work with the state to try and increase that,” Leno said. “Of course, we have a memorandum of understanding to serve our veterans here (at the Tribal Health Clinic) and I’d like to see that expanded. … We need to get more veterans taking advantage of what’s available.”