Ohio Department of Veterans Services

Ohio Department of Veterans Services MISSION:
Empowering veterans and their families to thrive through commitment, compassion, and community. OUR VISION:
The Trusted Voice for Veterans. S.
(1)

VISION:
To be the premier state for veterans, military & their families to live, work, and thrive. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services has a wide range of responsibilities, including those defined in section 5902.02 of the Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.).
> Advise the Governor on the state of veterans' affairs in Ohio and work as a liaison with other levels of government agencies.
> Operational

oversight of the 88 County Veterans Service Offices.
> Training, certification and accreditation of more than 600 county veterans service officers, commissioners and staff.
> Monitors the federal money that comes into the State of Ohio from the U. Department of Veterans Affairs.
> Address the issues and concerns of more than 70 Veterans Service Organizations.
> Custodian of 1.7 million records of Ohio veterans who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and OIF/OEF.
> Oversight of the laws in the O.R.C. 5901.
> Partners with the U. Department of Veterans Affairs on program development, implementation and operations.
> Administrative agent of The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
> Legislative agent for the Office of the Governor regarding any legislation relating to Ohio veterans and their needs.
> Oversight of the Ohio Veterans Plaza.

As students continue to head back into the classrooms, did you know that the first system of free schools in the state o...
08/24/2026

As students continue to head back into the classrooms, did you know that the first system of free schools in the state of Ohio was created by an Ohio Civil War Veteran? Mortimer Dormer Leggett was born in Ithaca, N.Y., on April 19, 1831, but grew up Geauga County where he first studied medicine and then law. After graduation, he practiced law in Akron, while teaching in the Akron and Warren public schools to supplement his income. Leggett organized the first system of union free schools in the state in 1846 and was professor of pleadings and practice in the Ohio Law College from 1855 until 1858, when he became superintendent of schools in Zanesville.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Leggett helped raise the 78th Ohio Infantry Regiment and was commissioned as its colonel in 1862. He commanded his regiment at the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Corinth before being appointed brigadier general of volunteers and participated in the Vicksburg Campaign, where he was severely wounded. After he recovered, Leggett commanded the 3rd Division of the XVII Corps during the Atlanta Campaign and Sherman's March to the Sea. He was brevetted major general of volunteers in July 1864, and was commissioned as a major general a year later.

After the war, Leggett returned to Zanesville and resumed his law practice, until President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him as United States Commissioner of Patents from 1871-81. In 1884, he founded a successful company that would become a part of General Electric.

Leggett was a member of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument commission and helped oversee the construction of the monument which now sits on Cleveland's Public Square. He served as the grand marshal of the parade prior to its dedication. His likeness is depicted on the End of The War panel inside the structure and his name appears on plaques outside the main doors.

Leggett died in Cleveland at 74, is buried in Lake View Cemetery, and was inducted into the Ohio Veteran Hall of Fame in 1993.

To learn more about the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame or nominate a deserving Ohio veteran in your community, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF

Born to break barriers in Sandusky, Ohio, 102 years ago today in 1924, Audrey Curtis Mackiewicz enlisted in the U.S. Coa...
08/23/2026

Born to break barriers in Sandusky, Ohio, 102 years ago today in 1924, Audrey Curtis Mackiewicz enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard SPARS in 1944 after graduating from Sandusky High School. She would meet her husband in the Guard and after serving, worked her way up to be an editor at the Sandusky Register. Pioneering for working women, she became the first woman – and then later President – of the National Association of Farm Editor’s. In 1977, she was the first woman veteran appointed to the Erie County Veterans Service Commission. Being a veteran’s advocate for more than 25 years, she was the first female member of the Board of Trustees at the Ohio Veterans Home and was named a member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 1995. In 1998, she was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. Audrey Curtis Mackiewicz passed away at the age of 84 in 2009.

Head to OhioVets.gov/HOF to learn more about or nominate an Ohio Veteran in your community for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

During his 103 years of life, Stan Wolczyk received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart while serving with the 7th Infantry D...
08/22/2026

During his 103 years of life, Stan Wolczyk received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart while serving with the 7th Infantry Division during World War II, but what he did as an Ohio Veteran led to him becoming the first Ohioan to ever receive the American Educators Medal.

Using the GI Bill, Wolczyk received a Bachelor of Arts from Baldwin Wallace and a Master’s in Education from Kent State University. He taught school at the U.S. Army base in Germany for 10 years. During his tenure, he was awarded the Teacher of the Year for the American Schools in Europe. Upon return to the United States, he worked as an elementary principal in the Norton City Schools and was the first Ohioan to receive the American Educator Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge in 1981. “Stan the Man” was an extraordinary American patriot. For 18 years, he appeared at schools and civic groups costumed as famous historical characters. In 1995, he was inducted in the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, and in 2017, he was inducted into the World War II Museum in New Orleans. Stanley J. Wolczyk passed away peacefully at the age of 103 in 2021.

As students return back to schools across Ohio, we honor educators like Stan who dedicated their lives to inspiring young minds and shaping future generations.

Today is National Senior Citizens Day, which provides an opportunity to recognize the sacrifice and achievements of the ...
08/21/2026

Today is National Senior Citizens Day, which provides an opportunity to recognize the sacrifice and achievements of the more than 47 million seniors living in the United States, many of whom served our nation.

If you would like to write a letter or get a message to any of the hundreds of residents living inside our two Ohio Veterans Homes, here are a few options:

You can send a card or letter to ...

Veteran
2003 Veterans Blvd.
Georgetown, Ohio 45121
--or--
Veteran
3416 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, Ohio 44870

Or you can e-mail regards to [email protected]
Each Home’s activities department is taking care of distributing letters to the veterans.

To learn more about our veterans homes, head to https://dvs.ohio.gov/veteranshomes.

Ohio is proud to support the Strive for 500 campaign again this year: a nationwide initiative from the Military Women’s ...
08/20/2026

Ohio is proud to support the Strive for 500 campaign again this year: a nationwide initiative from the Military Women’s Memorial aiming for every state to register at least 500 military women in 2026. This effort helps preserve the stories, service, and impact of women who have served in or alongside the U.S. Armed Forces, including more than 17,000 women veterans right here in Ohio.

By registering, participants contribute to the Memorial’s National Digital Repository, ensuring their experiences are documented, honored, and accessible for future generations. Registration is free, open to all women veterans, and only takes a few minutes.

If you or someone you know has served, visit WomensMemorial.org to create an account and share your story. Let’s help Ohio reach 500 and shine a light on the legacy of our women veterans.

Today was truly memorable for the heroes living at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. Hosted by the Catawba Island Club...
08/19/2026

Today was truly memorable for the heroes living at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. Hosted by the Catawba Island Club, the 4th Annual Voyage for Veterans celebrated courageous men and women from across Ohio with a meaningful day of appreciation, community, and reflection.

Veterans enjoyed a variety of experiences including inspiring guest speakers, military displays, a barbershop chorus performance, lunch, and an honor walk and parade along the boardwalk. The day concluded with a scenic Miller Boat Line cruise around the Lake Erie islands, complete with a guided historical tour.

This special event continues to bring together veterans and community partners in a heartfelt tribute to those who have proudly served our country.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who made today’s celebration possible, and to the veterans whose service inspires us every day.

This month, for the 28th Anniversary of the Ohio Veterans Plaza at the Ohio Statehouse, ODVS in partnership with the Cap...
08/19/2026

This month, for the 28th Anniversary of the Ohio Veterans Plaza at the Ohio Statehouse, ODVS in partnership with the Capitol Square Review, continues to share the names of the service members who wrote the 70 letters inscribed along two walls at each end of the plaza.

Today we feature the letter written by SGT Ralph C. Lewis, from Milford, OH, who fought in Africa and Italy during World War II.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well the day for which the world has been waiting for these many dreary years is now here with startling suddenness. This evening two air raid sirens began wailing long and loud to proclaim that Japan had accepted the surrender terms. Almost at once, soldiers began streaming from their barracks shouting, smiling, laughing, dancing and slapping each other on the back. And yet, despite the atmosphere of joy and gaily, I could not help but notice the grim, unsmiling countenances of many overseas veterans. And I, too, felt rather sad. We could not help but think of the ones who will never know the joys of this day. These boys who sleep now in many foreign lands are the ones to whom the world should be eternally grateful. They too dreamed of their homes, their wives and sweethearts and longed for the day they could go back. I, for one, will never forget them. In my heart I will always see those rows and rows of little white crosses I saw so many times in Africa and Italy. It's up to you and me and the rest of us to remember how much was given. Personally, I feel rather humble.

Your son,

Ralph

Tonight at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died while serving our country...
08/19/2026

Tonight at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died while serving our country.

Tonight, we salute Marine Master Sgt. Adam F. Benjamin of Garfield Heights, who died Aug. 18, 2009, while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Address

77 S High Street, Fl 7th
Columbus, OH
43215

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16146440898

Website

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