Only two years old, Salem-News.com is sending it's first reporter overseas to live with Oregon National Guard soldiers at war.
(SALEM) - If the schedule holds, Salem-News.com's Tim King will be in Afghanistan in a little over a week to begin daily reports from the 41st Combat Brigade.
The massive effort to embed Tim with the soldiers overseas is many months in the making, and our staff hopes that these reports will make a serious difference in the lives of combat troops who often say the better side of their efforts are largely ignored.
A lifelong military history reporter, Tim served as a U.S. Marine during peacetime years. This will be a new experience and an important one he says, showing people the day to day life of our Oregon soldiers on the other side of the world.
Oregon media outlets around the state are becoming increasingly interested in the coverage, and Tim's reports will be seen on television stations in places like Medford to Bend and Portland. National networks are also anticipating using some of the footage. In Salem, Tim's reports will also be heard from time to time on KSND FM radio.
The history leading up to this is fairly simple; Tim had worked as a Salem-based reporter in Salem for Portland, Oregon ABC affiliate KATU Channel-2 News. When KATU rolled back their amount of Salem coverage, Tim separated to become exclusively dedicated to Salem-News.com. Since that time, visitors went from a few hundred a day to several thousand per day, and Salem-News.com became part of the Google national news feed at the beginning of last summer.
As we near the departure, Salem-News.com would like to remind our visitors that this is a locally owned news organization that is going far out on a limb in order to bring people this coverage. If anyone would like to join the others have assisted, there is still plenty of need. If you would like to contribute to this effort to bring home the stories of Oregon soldiers, please send a check to:
Salem-News.com- Afghan Mission
P.O. Box 5137
Salem, Oregon 97304
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"SUPPORT GROUP"
Salem Police provided body armor, military rainproof clothing and other small materials from their SWAT team that will make a big difference for Tim's level of safety.
Eola Hils Winery provided a location for a winetasting fundraiser. Special thanks goes to Eric Rogers, visit Eola Hills at eolahills.com
McDonalds Restaurants of Salem provided $1,100 toward the trip to Afghanistan. We hardly know how to thank them enough, but we know this is one organization that sees the value of bringing the stories if our Oregon soldiers home.
Nopps Jewelry and Art provided a kevlar military issue helmet with a value of $250. This is greatly appreciated! You can visit their site: www.nopps.com
Eric Mason of Salem provided $100 toward Tim's trip to Afghanistan. Eric and Tim formerly worked together at Portland, Oregon's ABC station.
Jesse Anderson of Lincoln City provided funds to help, as did Dan and Marti Motley of Salem.
One of Salem's most courageous families, David and Arlene Banks, provided $100 toward Tim's trip.
Another pair of Salem heroes, Scott Smith and Margaret Sanner, provided funds to assist with Tim's Afghanistan trip.
Roger Yost and Alessandro's Ristorante have provided generous assistance for the Afghanistan coverage.
Camo and Gear Military Surplus in Salem contributed a pair of new military issue boots that will be ideal for use in Afghanistan.
Other supporters wish not to be named, but we appreciate them greatly, and each and every contribution makes a big difference.
THANK YOU ALL.
We will release more details on Tim’s itinerary, timeline, and other information as departure time nears.
We will continue to keep you updated on the people and organizations that support Oregon troops and are making Dispatches from Afghanistan possible.
Other organizations and individuals that are helping us are listed below, If you are interested in supporting the upcoming Salem-News.com assignment in Afghanistan, email us at:
bonnie@salem-news.com
Thank you to these Silent Auction contributors:
Extreme Velocity Paintball, donated a paintball gun and a sweatshirt
Beads a Million, donated several jewelry pieces
SLAB, donated a selection of handmade soaps and holder
Oak Knoll Golf Course, donated 2 18-hole games & a cart
Best Lil Roadhouse, donated 4 miniature golf games
Los Baez, donated dinner for 2
EZ Orchards, donated a set of homemade jams
Adams Ribs Smokehouse, donated dinner for 2
Willamette Queen, donated dinner cruise for 2
Thailand Restaurant, donated dinner for 3
Lela Kelly, custom tiled mirror
Tina Miller, WB DVD collections
Afghanistan Coverage Draws CloserSalem-News.com