Stacy Bannerman received both the Patriotic Employer Award and the Above And Beyond Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. She successfully spearheaded the campaign to create the National Military Family Leave Act of 2009, introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), a House Armed Services Subcommittee chairman. Her husband is a two-time Iraq war veteran, who served 27 years with the Army National Guard, and was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge during his first tour in Iraq.
Bannerman’s Bills & Legislation
• Oregon State Military Family Task Force Now Law: On August 5th, 2011, H.B. 3391, proposed and championed by Stacy, was signed into law. This legislation will create what is believed to be the nation's first statewide, state-sponsored task force comprised completely of military family members, with support from the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Oregon Military Department. A variation of the formally recognized and supported veteran's advisory boards, commissions, task forces, and panels that exist at virtually every level of State government, the Military Family Task Force will, among other things, provide a vehicle that leverages the expertise of military families in assisting policymakers to identify and develop policies to better serve the needs of the 21st Century military families; conduct outreach to assist in bridging the gap between military and civilian sectors; educate the public about the needs of military families; and offer recommendations and advice on current and future issues which could improve or influence delivery of services/support for military families.
• Military Family Leave: Stacy successfully spearheaded state and national legislative campaigns for military family leave, resulting in passage of Oregon H.B. 2744, and introduction of the federal Military Family Leave Act of 2009 by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), a House Armed Services Subcommittee chairman, in July of 2009. The federal bill was passed in the House as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, and the Senate version (S. 1441) is pending.
About the Book
In the ongoing war on terror, record numbers of National Guard soldiers and Reservists are being deployed overseas – over half a million to date. In the early years of the war, many Guard and Reservists were called to active duty with very little notice, and were dangerously under equipped during deployment. Citizen soldiers have served the longest tours-of-duty in Iraq. These “weekend warriors” and their families pay a heavy price. National Guard soldiers have far higher rates of post-combat stress, marriage problems, and financial issues, including the loss of homes and civilian jobs, than their active duty counterparts. The families left behind are often isolated and alone, struggling without the support and services available to military families residing on post.
When the War Came Home chronicles the impact of operationalizing the forces that were intended to function as strategic reserves, and provides a personal account of Stacy’s home front experience as she protests a war that her husband is fighting. At the heart of this powerful story of service, sacrifice, and speaking out is the question: What constitutes support for the troops, and when does it begin - before war is declared, during deployment, or after they come home?
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| Stacy receives the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award from Colonel (R) Rick McReynolds (center). |
