Ohio Department of Veterans Services

09/18/2026

Today marks 79 years since the United States Air Force was established in 1947. Since that day, Airmen have lived out the Fly–Fight–Win creed with dedication, professionalism, and service to our nation.

To celebrate this anniversary, three Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame honorees share their stories, words of wisdom, and birthday wishes for the Air Force. Their experiences highlight the strength and legacy of Ohio’s Air Force veterans across generations.

Know an Ohio Air Force veteran who embodies this legacy? Nominate them for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2027 at OhioVets.gov/HOF.

09/17/2026

Next week, the Ohio Department of Aging will induct eight Ohioans into the state’s Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, including two veterans: William T. McKarns (posthumous) of Hanoverton and Ralph H. Smith of Niles.

McKarns rose from humble beginnings to become a respected leader in Ohio’s dairy industry. After earning his GED in the U.S. Army, "Bill" returned home to build a Holstein dairy herd recognized nationwide and internationally for its quality. His pioneering work earned him the title “Father of the Qualified Herdbook.”

Smith, a Vietnam War veteran, former police chief, and retired hospital executive, provided steady leadership to SCOPE during a critical moment, strengthening services for older adults in his community.

This year’s Senior Citizens Hall of Fame ceremony will be streamed live on the Ohio Channel beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 23. Learn more about the full 2026 class, which also includes former Governor Bob Taft and former First Lady Hope Taft, at https://aging.ohio.gov/see-news-and-events/news/hall-of-famers-2026.

09/17/2026

Born on this day in 1921, Frank Aleksandrowicz left his job at the Erie-Dispatch Herald to become a war photographer during World War II. He would photograph the Battle of the Bulge and also served in the Korean War. After his service, Aleksandrowicz was a photojournalist for several Ohio newspapers, winning dozens of awards from various press associations and guilds. He was even nominated for Pulitzer Prize in Photography with the Cleveland Press in 1959. Frank also volunteered with many local veterans groups and was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 1995. Francis J. Aleksandrowicz passed away at the age of 92 in 2014.

To learn more about Aleksandrowicz or the more than 1,000 other inductees in the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, or to nominate a deserving Ohio Veteran, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF

09/17/2026

Ohio’s “Keep Them Safe Act” takea effect today, September 17, creating a voluntary option for gun owners to temporarily store fi****ms with participating federally licensed firearm dealers or law enforcement agencies.

The Ohio Su***de Prevention Foundation is hosting an important webinar on September 29 from 12–1 PM covering the new act. They will explore how voluntary firearm storage works, the protections provided to participating storage providers, and how this option can create time and distance during a crisis.

Learn more and register for this free webinar at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-pMOypjpRGaEfq43i_VV0Q #/registration

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09/16/2026

09/16/2026

Each September, ODVS salutes those Ohioans who go above and beyond to help us serve the nearly 700,000 veterans living across Ohio. Today, we continue by thanking Mason Farr: Education & Outreach Manager at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Mason continues to work alongside our communications team to share through the Library of Congress’ StoryCorps program, the life stories of the Ohio veterans inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

09/15/2026

Military Friendly has announced its 2026 Veteran of the Year honorees, including Ohio’s Bryan Bills who earned national recognition for his leadership and impact in higher education at Bowling Green State University. Bryan’s service, advocacy, and dedication to supporting military connected students continue to make a powerful difference across the veteran community.

To learn more about the Bill and the other 2026 Military Friendly Veterans of the Year, head to https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/military-friendly-announces-2026-veteran-of-the-year-and-vetrepreneur-of-the-year-honorees-302876434.html.

09/15/2026

Each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Hispanic Americans have not hesitated to defend and show their allegiance to this nation in many ways, but especially through military service. This month ODVS will feature three of these Ohio veterans who have been inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. You can learn more about Hispanic Awareness Month at https://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/About.html

09/14/2026

In honor of tonight’s Emmy Awards, can you name the Ohio veteran who has appeared in more sitcoms than any other actor? According to USA Today, Thomas Poston, born in 1921 in Columbus, holds the record. After completing high school, Poston attended Bethany College in West Virginia, but did not graduate, instead joining the United States Army Air Forces in 1941. Poston was accepted to officer candidate school. After graduating from flight training, Poston served as a pilot in the European Theater in World War II dropping paratroopers during the Normandy invasion. Poston served in North Africa, Italy, France, and England.

After the war, Poston began studying acting in New York City, graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Poston gained recognition as a comedic "Man in the Street" on The Steve Allen Show. For these performances, Poston won the 1959 Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. For over 50 years, he appeared as a comic actor, game show panelist, comedy/variety show host, film actor, television actor, and Broadway performer.

In the 1980s, he played George Utley opposite Bob Newhart's character on the CBS sitcom Newhart, receiving three Emmy Award nominations for the role. Tom Poston passed away in 2007 at the age of 85.

To learn more about other noteworthy Ohio Veterans, please visit ohiovets.gov/HOF.

09/14/2026

Around sunset on Sept. 14, 1862, Rutherford B. Hayes, led a charge against a confederate entrenched position and was shot through his left arm, fracturing the bone. With a handkerchief tied above the wound in an effort to stop the bleeding, Hayes continued to lead his men in the Battle of South Mountain. Hayes would be wounded five times during the Civil War, rising to the rank of brevet major general.

Born in Delaware, Ohio, Hayes grew up a staunch abolitionist. After being valedictorian at Kenyon College and earning his law degree from Harvard, he spent five years as a lawyer in Lower Sandusky and Cincinnati, where he flourished as a young Whig lawyer defending refugee slaves in court.
After the war, Hayes served in Congress from 1865 to 1867 as a Republican.

Hayes left Congress to run for governor of Ohio and was elected to two consecutive terms, from 1868 to 1872. He served half of a third two-year term from 1876 to 1877 before his swearing-in as the 19th President of the United States. As president, Hayes oversaw the end of Reconstruction, began the efforts that led to civil service reform, and attempted to reconcile the divisions left over from the Civil War.

After his presidency, Hayes was appointed to the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University, the school he helped found as governor of Ohio.

A great‑grandson of Ezekiel Hayes, a Connecticut militia captain of the American Revolution, Hayes’ legacy connects directly to the nation’s founding—an especially meaningful tie as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary and Ohio continues its work honoring Revolutionary War veterans through projects such as the Ohio Veterans Revolutionary Graves initiative. Hayes died in 1893 at age 70 and was posthumously inducted into the first class of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 1992.