SALEM – Secretary of State Kate Brown announced today that Oregon flags are now available for Oregon soldiers serving overseas.
“I believe it is important to express our gratitude to our service men and women for their commitment, dedication and sacrifice,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “That is why State Senator Betsy Johnson, State Representative Sal Esquivel and I have revived the Secretary of State’s Flag Fund with the assistance of generous private donations.”
This flag program is near and dear to Representative Esquivel’s heart. While serving in Vietnam 40 years ago, he wrote a letter to then-Secretary of State Clay Myers requesting an Oregon flag, which was funded by then-State Representative Sam Johnson from Redmond, Oregon, whose daughter State Senator Betsy Johnson now serves in the Oregon Legislature. Senator Johnson is 100 percent committed to the Secretary of State’s Flag Fund, has made a generous contribution and is actively seeking funds.
State Representative Sal Esquivel said he will never forget the day he received that flag that arrived with a letter from Myers thanking him for his service. This memory will remain with him forever and he would like to give others serving in the armed forces the same unforgettable experience.
Secretary Brown agrees. “At a time when our nation continues to deploy troops overseas, I believe it is important to show support for these men and women in any way we can. Sending them a piece of home is a small token of our appreciation and gratitude.”
In 1969, the Oregon Legislature gave the Secretary of State authority to provide Oregon State flags to Oregonians serving abroad in the armed forces. Although multiple requests were submitted by soldiers and families between 2007 and 2011, they went unfulfilled because the legislature has not been able to allocate resources to the State Flag Fund program for many years.
The average cost of each flag is approximately $30 dollars. Donations to the Secretary of State Flag Fund can be sent to Secretary of State’s Office, c/o Flag Fund, Business Services Division, 255 Capitol Street NE, Salem Oregon 97310 or by calling 503-986-2204.
For more information, please contact:
Gina Mattioda
Director of Communications
gina.mattioda@state.or.us
503-986-2368
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