Columbus, Ohio is home to over 110,000 veterans. You may see their face everyday yet not know the great sacrifices they have made - sacrifices made for you and their country. The City of Columbus, Department of Veterans Affairs’ main priority is to our City Employees and making sure their rights and benefits are being protected. We also sponsor an outreach program for military and veterans families called Operation Unity, assist with the local Flag Day ceremonies, Veterans Day, the annual Stand Down program, and provides assistance with referrals.
New Veterans Affairs Coordinator Named click HERE to read more
Upcoming Special Events
2008 Calendar
Upcoming Special Events
MAY
May 1 - OHIOCARES Awareness Kickoff. OHIOCARES is a collaboration of state and local agencies supporting the behavioral health of returning OIF/OEF veterans and their families. Although the VA is the primary source of services for veterans, this partnership identifies community based resources also available to veterans and their families. Help is available 24/7 at 1(800)761-0868 or go to the web site at http://www.ohiocares.ohio.gov/POC- Lieutenant Colonel Jane Lengel, OHIOCARES (614)336-7479jane.lengel@us.army.mil
May 1 – Recruit Military Job Fair-Cincinnati. All RecruitMilitary services are free to veterans! POC: Mary Beth Miller,Communications Project Manager (513)683-5020 or 800-226-0841 or marybeth@recruitmilitary.com
May 2 –Ohio Military Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Veterans’ Plaza at the Statehouse, beginning at 11:30 A.M. The public is encouraged to attend. There are twenty honorees this year. All have been awarded medals for valor in combat and their citations will be read. For more information, check the website: www.ohioheroes.org
May 7 - DSCC 90th Anniversary. Brigadier General McQuistion, Commander of the Defense Supply Center Columbus, will be celebrating this facilities great accomplishments.
May 16 - (11:30 am- 1:30 pm) Armed Forces Day Banquet. Villa Milano Restraunt, 1630 Schrock Rd. MilVets (a non-profit, 501(c) 3 Organization) sponsors an annual Armed Forces Day Luncheon to honor service men and women currently serving, as well as those who have served in the military. During the event, members of the military are honored for their outstanding service and MilVets presents scholarships to students for their future education. We welcome the attendance of all those who share our respect and admiration for the Armed Forces. POC: Bob Mullins, President, (614) 325-4745 or go online to http://milvets.org/armfor.htm
May 16 - ASBP Blood Dr.-Whitehall (More info to come)
May 17 - Tolling of the Bells (11:00 am- 2:00 pm) Will be held in Columbus City Hall Council Chambers, 90 W. Broad St. 2nd Fl. The ceremony consists of a Tolling of the Bell to remember the submarines that have been lost during the 107 year history of the US Submarine Service. POC: Joe Testa, Commander, Columbus Base Submarine Veterans. JTESTA@columbus.rr.com
May 17 - Armed Forces Day VA Motorcycle Ride-4th ANNUAL ARMED FORCES DAY RIDE Columbus Veterans Beneficial Board (A 501-C3 Non-Profit Organization) REGISTRATION: Moose Lodge #11 (Breakfast available) (9:00 am – 11:30 am) 1500 Demorest Rd. Last bike out at Noon $10 per person (Includes Dinner) ROUTE: Chillicothe VA Hospital FINAL DESTINATION: Meet back at Moose Lodge – 4 pmEveryone is Welcome All proceeds to benefit Veterans Programs. POC: Steve Miller @ (614)371-0940 or www.columbusvets.org
May 17 - AFD w/ Clippers
May 19 - Governor’s Wreath Ceremony. POC: Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs (614)644-0898
May 23 - (10-11 am) - Beightler Armory Memorial Dedication-Dedicated to all Ohio Air and Army National Guard members who lost their lives serving in foreign wars. Beightler Armory, 2825 West Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, Oh 43235 POC is Johann Klein at 614-(336)-7198 or johann.klein@ tagoh.gov
May 23 - (4-5 pm) Lima Company Memorial
COLUMBUS, OH - The Lima Company Memorial: A Remembrance of Spirit & Choice will be on view at the Ohio Statehouse from Memorial Day weekend through Veterans Day weekend, 2008. This exhibition was created in memory of 22 fallen Marines and a Navy Corpsman from the Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division who lost their lives while serving in Iraq in 2005. The exhibition will be unveiled in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on May 23, 2008 and will be on view through November 11, 2008. The exhibition will be free and open to the public. POCs: Gregg Dodd, Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (614)728-2130 gdodd@csrab.state.oh.us ■ www.ohiostatehouse.org
May 26 - Memorial Day- See local listings for events & parades in your area.
May 30 -ASBP Blood Dr.-Whitehall (More info to come)
June 7- Navy Operational SupportCenter Joint Guard & Reserves (NOSC Columbus) - Family Readiness / Returning Warrior Ceremony. POC: LCDR Robert F. Clifford, Executive Officer (614)492-2908 or robert.clifford@navy.mil
Jun 14 – (11:00 am-12:00 pm) City of Columbus Flag Day and Army Birthday -Vets Memorial, East Patio. POC: Rick Isbell, Veteran’s Affairs (614)645-6504
Jun 20-22 – Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Ohio State Convention will be held at the Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark. POC: Joe Jennings, Executive Director VVA. (614)228-0188
Jun 27– ASBP Blood Dr.-Whitehall(More info to come)
Jul 3-Red, White, & Boom! All day event downtown with Parades, food, fun and Fireworks. POC: Jim Reesa (614)645-7671.
Jul 4 - Independence Day- See local listings for events & parades in your area.
Jul 12 -NavyOperationalSupportCenter Joint Guard & Reserves (NOSC Columbus) Change of Command (attend); CDR Mike Varias will be the incoming CO. Commander Greenwald will be missed! POC: LCDR Robert F. Clifford, Executive Officer (614)492-2908 or robert.clifford@navy.mil
Jul 19-20 –Dayton Air Show. More info to come
Jul 25– ASBP Blood Dr.-Whitehall (More info to come)
Oct 4 - Navy Ball - Navy Columbus 233rd Navy Birthday Celebration at the Convention Center POC: LCDR Robert F. Clifford, Executive Officer (614)492-2908 or robert.clifford@navy.mil
Oct 13 – Navy Birthday
Oct 21 – (8:30 am-3:00 pm) Central Ohio Homeless Stand Down-Vets Memorial. It is estimated that one third of this nation’s homeless are veterans of our Armed Forces and served this country honorably.Stand Down is our effort to bring many of these men and women, and their families off the street, at least for a day, to assessments, provide short-term assistance, advise and counsel for their long term needs. To Volunteer or if you have questions please call POC: Rick Isbell, Veteran’s Affairs (614)645-6504.
Nov 7 – (11:00 am-3:00 pm) City of Columbus Veterans Day Ceremony, Parade, Mil/Vets Lunch & the Ohio Hall of Fame. More info to come. POC: Rick Isbell, Veteran’s Affairs (614)645-6504.
Nov 10 – Marine Corp. Birthday
Nov 11 - VETERAN’S DAY- See local listings for events & parades in your area.
If you or your Veterans Organization has information or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail Rick Isbell at raisbell@columbus.gov. Thank you and bear with us as we change our web identity.
Related Links
Visit our new Related Links page to get information on Local Veteran, State of Ohio, and Nationwide Veteran's Programs.