veteransappreciationevents@gmail.com
Meet Our Board Members
Laura Jones, President
My heart will always have a special place for our veterans. I'm passionate about supporting and honoring our veterans. I'm deeply grateful for the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness they've shown in serving our country.
I believe honoring our veterans means more than just saying "thank you"-it means standing beside them, supporting them, and never forgetting the sacrifices they and their families have made. I believe those who served our country deserve our gratitude, respect, and unwavering support. I am committed to standing alongside our veterans.
"If you want to thank a veteran, be the kind of American worth fighting for"
Tery Peters, Secretary
I began volunteering alongside Laura, helping with programs and events dedicated to Central Oregon veterans. What started as an opportunity to lend a helping hand quickly became something much more meaningful to me. I have always had a deep respect and appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made to protect our freedom and make the life I enjoy today possible.
As Laura’s vision continued to grow, I felt inspired to take that mission even further., so I created Veterans Appreciation Events, dnp as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring, supporting, and giving back to Central Oregon veterans and their families.
My journey with Veterans Appreciation Events has even inspired me to learn more about my own family’s military history, including obtaining my late father’s military records from the archives. That experience made this mission even more personal and meaningful to me.
Jan Westmoreland, Treasurer
I moved to Central Oregon in 1992 with my husband, Harry, and over the years, we have been blessed to experience so many wonderful adventures and create countless cherished memories here. Central Oregon has truly become home to us.
Military service is deeply woven into the fabric of my family. My father and uncles proudly served during World War II, along with many other loved ones who have served our country throughout the years. Today, that tradition continues as our oldest son and daughter-in-law are both serving on active duty.
Because of my family’s history of service, I have a profound gratitude and deep respect for the men and women who choose to protect our great country and the freedoms we hold dear. I believe our veterans deserve to be thanked, honored, respected, and cared for—not just on special occasions, but every day.
I am incredibly honored and excited to be part of an organization that shares those values and is dedicated to giving back to the veterans who have given so much to all of us. Being able to support Central Oregon veterans and their families is truly a privilege, and I look forward to helping our mission continue to grow. 🇺🇸❤️