Caring For Troops is Central Oregon's support league for locally connected men and women serving overseas. We are non-profit 501 3C organization, Federal Tax ID # 27-0111073.

MISSION STATEMENT: Our purpose is to support every military member who is deployed outside of the United States and who lives in or has ties to Central Oregon. We will do this, primarily, by providing care packages. We are pro-troop, war-neutral and nonpartisan. We support our troops in times of peace and in times of war. 

WHO WE SERVE: Military members (see above) who have a connection to Central Oregon: sons, daughters, spouses, parents, grandchildren, grandparents, nieces, uncles, girlfriends, boyfriends, friends etc. We support all branches of the service, active and reserve component.

If you are a deployed soldier, or know a deployed soldier, with ties to Central Oregon, please Contact Us.

In Memory of Michael James Ward

January 13, 1945 - March 1, 2012

Michael James Ward passed away on March 1, 2012 while on a trip to Washington DC for the Disabled American Veterans organization. Mike was a strong supporter of American Veterans and a past Oregon State Commander of the Oregon Disabled American Veterans. A memorial service will be held at the Bend ELKS lodge, 63120 Boyd Acres Rd, Saturday, March 10 at 2pm.

Mike was born in Oregon City, Oregon on January 13th, 1945, and soon moved with his family to Eugene. Mike relocated with his mother, sister and brother to Bend in 1952. While attending school in Bend he participated in many sports and excelled in cross county running, pole vaulting and wrestling. Mike returned to Eugene to finish high school, winning two back-to- back State championships in wrestling.

Mike joined the Air Force in 1964 and travelled with the Air force wrestling team prior to focusing on a maintenance career. He served tours of duty in Turkey, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. When he returned home on leave he stayed with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Bud Keown of Crescent. He always felt at home there with their children Kevin and Kellie. He remained in the Air Force until being seriously injured in Korea in 1986. After lengthy rehabilitation Mike returned to Bend, devoting the majority of his time to helping veterans. Mike was instrumental in helping many Veterans receive help from the VA. He was also a major force in organizing the Bend Veterans' Day parade each year.

Mike is survived by his wife Sun, daughter Su and husband Hasani Davenport and grandchildren Tai, Asa and Mia and Clay of Bend whom he loved very much; daughter Joan Ward and son Joe Ward of Cottage Grove who were always in his thoughts; sisters Mary Ann Keown of Bend, Roberta and husband Dale Curfman of Olympia, Jackie and husband Pete Peterson of Pendleton, Kathy Inman of Tacoma; brothers and their wives, Steve and Teresa of Lakeview, Charlie and Cathy of Eugene, Rick of Springfield, Tom and Micky of South Carolina; stepmother Muriel Hilliard of Corvallis; nieces, nephews and cousins, all whom he loved, but too numerous to mention.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 1503 NE Fourth St. Bend, Or. 97701.