COL (R) Glenn Voelz ’92 released the historical nonfiction book “Oregon Search & Rescue: Answering the Call.” 

Oregon’s long tradition of volunteer search and rescue dates to the territorial days when Good Samaritans and mountain men came to aid those in need. On the coast, surfmen of the U.S. Life-Saving Service protected mariners traversing the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” In the early 20th century, outdoor clubs like the Mazamas, the Skyliners, and the Obsidians served as informal search and rescue units, keeping Oregonians safe in the mountains, rivers, and wilderness areas. After World War II, Oregon’s volunteer teams began to professionalize and became some of the most effective units in the country. 

Join author Voelz as he tells the story of Oregon’s search and rescue history.