Letters of Support
Take a moment to write a letter of support for this project on your letterhead and mail it to:
USS Ranger Foundation
1505 SE Gideon Street
Suite 650
Portland, OR 97202
503-558-8519
Each and every letter is important to show the support of the community for this project.
If you can, include a donation with your letter, you will go even further in showing your support and help the volunteers working on this project cover expenses.
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Ship's Store Special Offer
Special offer for our friends-We ordered  just a few of this ash gray crewneck sweatshirt
with the Ranger Foundation logo embroidered on the left chest.
Don't miss your chance to own a Ranger sweatshirt to show your support.
Limited sizes available.
Get one while they last!
Be sure to check the store for great new items!
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Preparing for an Emergency
As the entire world joins together in assisting our fellow human beings with the devastation in Haiti, the U.S. Navy is among the first responders with the capabilities unique to the Super Car
rier. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) was dispatched to the area, bringing her awesome capabilities in support of
this massive humanitarian effort.
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Portland is vulnerable
Portland is vulnerable to earthquakes according to the website for the Cascade Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW) in conjunction with a FAQ by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.
There is a definite earthquake hazard in Oregon, though the State has escaped the 'big one' so far, it is at risk. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that we are poorly prepared, exposing ourselves to major damage and potential injury and death. Research after the Scotts Mills and Klamath Falls earthquakes in 1993 confirm the risk.
Local earthquakes are most common in the Portland metropolitan area, northern Willamette Valley, and Klamath Falls area and may threaten the coast from Coos Bay south to Brookings. We simply do not know about the risk of local earthquakes in most other parts of Western Oregon. All of Oregon west of the
Cascades is at risk from subduction-zone earthquakes. These are caused by crustal plates sliding past each other. The amount of earthquake damage at any place will depend on its distance from the epicenter, local soil conditions, and types of construction. These earthquakes occur, on average, every 300-600
years, and the most recent was about 300 years ago.
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Top Gun to the rescue
When USS Ranger was an active part of the fleet, she was known as The Lone Ranger for her ability to ride to the rescue. Our theme song as we pulled into port was the William Tell Overture, and we even had a crewmember dressed in costume complete with six-shooters on the flight deck letting the good guys
know they could rest easy as Ranger was on scene and could handle anything.
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Disaster preparedness
Though she can no longer ride to the rescue in faraway places, Ranger can provide much of the support and capabilities as her active duty siblings.
Positioned in the Willamette River, she can function in the event of damage to the airport and port similar to what we are seeing in Port Au Prince. Her four and a half acre flight deck is capable of helicopter operations. Her vast hangar deck can position massive amounts of relief supplies and protection from the elements. Huge fuel tanks have already been cleaned and sealed and could stage clean water. Emergency generators can be put aboard to generate electricity. With portable sanitation facilities, she can provide emergency shelter.
A communications suite aboard would provide vital services in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The list of possibilities is endless.
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More normal times
Though no one wants to think about the unthinkable , the fact is the Boy Scout motto of 'Be Prepared' is always applicable. With Ranger anchoring a venue that is a civic center, special events site, tourist attraction, museum, memorial and more, she can play an important role as part of the special place we call Portland - metro.
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How can you help
Bringing Ranger to the Pacific Northwest is what the Navy refers to as an 'All Hands" evolution. This means we need everyone to do their part.
The USS Ranger Foundation needs your support.
Whether you have special talents or experience or can donate any amount, you can be part of this exciting and necessary effort.
Our mailing address is 1505 Gideon St. Portland, OR 97202.
Please visit our website for full information on this project.
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A final word
May God bless and protect our troops as they perform their humanitarian work, and bring comfort to those in Haiti who are suffering.
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Larry Schmuhl, Program Manager
USS Ranger Foundation |
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