A Reflection: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership

A Reflection: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership

By Carl Cruz, VetsWork Intern serving with Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership in OR. As a Vetworks Intern with the Mt. Adams Institute, I am completing my term with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) in Portland, Oregon. This role has allowed me to develop greater independence in...

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2025 VetsWork: Ryan Zamonis

2025 VetsWork: Ryan Zamonis

I developed a strong connection to the outdoors early in life, spending much of my time fishing, exploring waterways, and observing natural environments. This interest guided my academic path, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Wildlife Ecology...

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2025 VetsWork: Mitchell Martinez

2025 VetsWork: Mitchell Martinez

My name is Mitch Martinez. I was born and raised in Denver Colorado. I’m a big Colorado sports fan. I like to hike and camp there; the state has a lot of really nice spots for recreation. I was in the Air Force for 11 years stationed in New Mexico and Colorado. I’ve had deployments to Kuwait,...

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2025 VetsWork: Sutton Norris

2025 VetsWork: Sutton Norris

My Name is Sutton Norris and I grew up running around the Klamath Basin in southern Oregon, and now I currently reside in Gresham, Oregon. I’ve always been extremely passionate about the outdoors, and I was raised traveling the state to hunt and fish with my father. My list of outdoor obsessions...

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2025 VetsWork: Steve Iannuzzi

2025 VetsWork: Steve Iannuzzi

Hey, I am Steve Iannuzzi, and I grew up and lived in Michigan for pretty much my whole life. I enjoy kayaking, hiking, fishing, playing hockey, golf, disc golf and other activities outside. I enjoy being out in nature. I served in the US Army for 4 years active until I got out in 2018 to pursue a...

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2025 VetsWork: Calvin Slayton

2025 VetsWork: Calvin Slayton

My name is Calvin and I grew up with both of my parents in the service. We moved around the country and settled on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska for my middle and high school. I graduated from Thorne Bay High School and went into the Marines. After getting out of the service, my goal was always...

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2025 VetsWork: Valentin Pulido

2025 VetsWork: Valentin Pulido

I grew up in South Florida where I took to marketing and media production at a very young age. I workedas an Aviation Electrician upon enlisting in the Navy. While the work was rewarding, I had a particularliking to photography and eventually studied graphic design. I am passionate about...

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2025 VetsWork: Ryan Robinson

2025 VetsWork: Ryan Robinson

I grew up moving around Oregon, starting out on the coast before spending most of my life in the Willamette Valley. Oregon’s diverse ecosystems, from oak savanna to old growth coastal forest, developed my passion for the outdoors, especially forests. Hiking is my favorite outdoor activity, though...

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2025 VetsWork: Carl Cruz

2025 VetsWork: Carl Cruz

Hello, my name is Carl, and I'm from Hillsboro, Oregon. I served in the Air Force for seven years, stationed in South Dakota and Okinawa, Japan. During that time, I developed a passion for activities like photography, hiking, camping, rock climbing, and especially fly fishing, which remains one of...

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2025 VetsWork: Mitchell Martinez

2025 VetsWork: Mitchell Martinez

My name is Mitch Martinez. I was born and raised in Denver Colorado. I’m a big Colorado sports fan. I like to hike and camp there; the state has a lot of really nice spots for recreation. I was in the Air Force for 11 years stationed in New Mexico and Colorado. I’ve...

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2025 VetsWork: Ryan Robinson

2025 VetsWork: Ryan Robinson

I grew up moving around Oregon, starting out on the coast before spending most of my life in the Willamette Valley. Oregon’s diverse ecosystems, from oak savanna to old growth coastal forest, developed my passion for the outdoors, especially forests. Hiking is my...

read more
2025 VetsWork: Carl Cruz

2025 VetsWork: Carl Cruz

Hello, my name is Carl, and I'm from Hillsboro, Oregon. I served in the Air Force for seven years, stationed in South Dakota and Okinawa, Japan. During that time, I developed a passion for activities like photography, hiking, camping, rock climbing, and especially fly...

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2025 VetsWork: Delbert Henson

2025 VetsWork: Delbert Henson

My name is Delbert Henson. I was originally born in southern California but then moved to a small town called Yreka in northern California. I grew up in a large family playing football, basketball and running track. We were always an active family doing outside...

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