SALEM - An Albany man was one of four members appointed last week by Gov. Theodore Kulongoski to the advisory committee of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Joseph R. Howell is an Army National Guard combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a double Purple Heart winner, and the youngest member to ever serve on the Committee.

He's joined by Eugene J. LaBonte of Grand Ronde, a Native American and Vietnam-era veteran who served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman; Gerard F. Lorang of Portland, a Vietnam-era veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a radio technician and most recently was director of the Portland Veterans Administration Regional Office; and Kevin J. Owens of North Bend, a Gulf War-era veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard who served as an electrician's mate.

"I'm thrilled to have these new members who not only represent different areas of our state, but add diversity to our Committee," said Jim Willis, Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. "Each of these members bring something special to the committee and will be great assets for the department."

The new appointees will fill vacancies left by four term-limited members who have completed two consecutive terms of four years each: Staryl C. Austin Jr. of Salem, a World War II and Korean War veteran; Furlton M. Burns of Portland, a Vietnam veteran; Walter R. Crews of Aurora, a Korea and Vietnam-era veteran; and Robert Haltiner of Oregon City, a Vietnam veteran.

More information about the Advisory Committee and ODVA services and programs can be found online at www.oregon.gov/ODVA.

Democrat-Herald