Press Releases
SENATOR WYDEN AND STACY BANNERMAN, ARMY WIFE, ANNOUNCE MILITARY FAMILY LEAVE ACT OF 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 2, 2009
Military wives applaud Senator Wyden’s sponsorship of landmark legislation to support military family members bearing the burdens of repeat deployments.
Medford, Oregon – On July 3rd, Senator Wyden (D-OR) will be joined by Stacy Bannerman, wife of a National Guard soldier serving his second tour in Iraq, to announce the federal Military Family Leave Act of 2009 at the Medford Armory. Ms. Bannerman spearheaded the national Military Family Leave campaign to amend title 38 in order to grant military family members two weeks of unpaid leave during the deployment of a loved one.
According to a statement issued by Senator Wyden’s office: “Despite current efforts to allow family members to spend time together in response to significant events including military deployment, many individuals - such as those who hold part time jobs and work for small businesses - do not have this privilege. The Military Family Leave Act of 2009 would make sure that everyone is given this right regardless of the hours they work or the size of the company that employs them.”
Stacy Bannerman said, “I have heard from too many spouses who had to choose between work and family while their soldier or Marine was serving this nation. I am one of them. I am delighted that Senator Wyden has championed this bill to support the families who support the troops, and have sacrificed so much over the past eight years of war.”
Earlier this year, Ms. Bannerman secured sponsorship of H.B. 2744 in Oregon to provide Military Family Leave. The bill had unanimous support in the House, and recently passed the Senate, and is now awaiting Governor Kulongoski’s signature.
MILITARY FAMILIES CALL ON CONGRESS TO CREATE A NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY LEAVE ACT
Published February 11, 2009
Military spouses from 6 states meet with dozens of congressional offices to request support for military family members bearing the burden of deployment.
Medford, Oregon – Military spouses and family members from across the country are keeping the pressure on Congress after spending several days on the Hill seeking support for a National Military Family Leave Act (NMFLA). Stacy Bannerman, wife of a National Guard soldier serving his second tour in Iraq, says, “Recent changes to the Federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for caregivers of a service member who suffers a serious injury or illness while on active duty, or for family members of military personnel on or called to active duty for ‘any qualifying exigency’ are long-overdue. But the general FMLA requirements render it meaningless for the majority of military family members.”
Active duty spouses re-locate frequently, while more businesses are becoming a virtual workplace, and replacing full-time workers with contract positions. Most Guard and Reserve families live in rural areas and work for small business.
In meetings with Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley, staffers for Montana Senators Tester and Baucus, and others, military spouses pushed legislators to provide for 15 business days (3 work weeks) or 21 calendar days unpaid leave for immediate military family members during any deployment lasting 180 days or more for which the service member would receive hazardous duty pay. “When the soldier goes to war, so does the family and the burden of multiple deployments is really taking a toll at home. Perhaps that’s why during Vietnam, married men without children were exempted from the draft for years, and married men with children were consistently deferred from military service because service would cause hardship upon the family. Those two populations comprise the bulk of today’s Armed Forces,” stated Bannerman.
SANCTUARY WEEKEND FOR WOMEN VETERANS
January 22, 2009
Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation Awards $5,000 for Flagship Project
Medford, Oregon – Sanctuary One at Double Oak Farm received a $5,000 grant today from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation. These funds will launch a series of Sanctuary Weekends for veterans and military family members. The first Sanctuary Weekend retreat for Women Veterans is scheduled for April 10-12. Women veterans are the second-fastest growing demographic in the veteran population. This community-based retreat will be one of the first in the nation to focus exclusively on the needs of women veterans. Facilitators are women veterans and female therapists who are also family members of veterans. The weekend includes outdoor activities at the 55-acre Double Oak Farm in the Applegate Valley; lodging at the Applegate River House; tools for stress management; a chance to meet and connect with other women veterans; and more. Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2009, and scholarships are available, including travel reimbursement for Oregon residents. More information is available at www.sanctuaryone.org. Sanctuary One is a 501.c.3 organization, and is currently raising funds to make this weekend available at no cost to women veterans.
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