CANYONVILLE — Gov. Ted Kulongoski saluted several hundred veterans who attended the annual veterans banquet at the Seven Feathers Convention Center on Saturday. He also praised members of the Oregon National Guard who are about to head to Iraq.

Kulongoski, who on Friday presided over a ceremony marking the end of training for 2,500 members of the National Guard — including some from a Roseburg unit — at Fort Stewart in Savannah, Ga., said many Americans believe the war in Iraq is nearly over.

“But our Oregon National Guard troops and the families they're leaving behind know otherwise and so do veterans, like each and every one of you,” Kulongoski said.

Today's service members have the same commitment as those who came before them, Kulongoski said. The governor, a former Marine, thanked them all.

“The price of freedom is high and each of you, through your sacrifice and love of country, have paid that price,” he said. “When it was your turn, you put duty and honor first. That's why I know you join me in praying for the safe and swift return of our Guardspeople to their homes and to their communities.

The governor told the audience that the Oregon Legislature worked hard to pass bills this session to help those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

One bill guaranteed that members of the National Guard and Reserves could return to their civilian jobs after their military service concluded. Another protected service members and their families from being taken advantage of by scam artists.

The state has also pressed the federal government to provide the same benefits for Guard and Reserve troops as full-time members of the armed forces. He urged those in attendance to write their congressional representatives to support a so-called “soft landing” act from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden that would allow Guard and Reserve troops to remain on active duty for up to 90 days after they return home to continue earning pay and give them access to reintegration services before leaving the military.

Jim Willis, a Roseburg native who heads the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, salued Glendale resident Duane Albee, 93, the oldest veteran who attended the dinner. Albee, who served as a water tender on ships during World War II, said he was honored for the recognition.

“It brought back a lot of memories,” said Albee, who worked as a plumber in civilian life.

Winston resident John Hughes was given a combat action ribbon during a presentation by Mary Newman, director of the Douglas County Veterans Office.

Hughes served as a fireman on the U.S.S. Independence, which was struck by an aerial torpedo launched by the Japanese in November 1943. Hughes suffered flash burns to his face and hands from the torpedo explosion, which blew a hole in the ship's fire room and mess hall.

“I'm thankful that I'm still here,” said Hughes, who later worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Tiller.

The tribute, in its 10th year, is sponsored by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@nrtoday.com.