Ohio Guardsmen reflect nation’s best
Generations of patriots have dedicated themselves to the defense of the United States. On this Veterans Day, we honor our brave men and women, past and present, who have proudly served this great nation. We should also take time to honor veterans’ families, because they too have served and sacrificed and deserve our thanks and admiration.
We celebrate Veterans Day on the anniversary of the peace agreement that ended World War I. On the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the battlefields of war-torn Europe finally fell silent as more than four years of unfathomable destruction came to an end.
Today, nearly 100 years later, we honor the unwavering commitment to our country by all who’ve proudly worn the service uniforms of our nation, including the soldiers and airmen of the Ohio National Guard.
Ohio National Guard veterans are among the most talented, dedicated and innovative professionals in the world. They are a direct reflection of what’s best about our country. When they leave our ranks, they take with them the knowledge gained from earning academic degrees, certifications and mastering technical skills. Often, they use the skills they learned in the military to continue to serve their communities.
There are nearly 800,000 veterans living in Ohio, and communities throughout the state will hold special ceremonies and parades to honor them. Ohio National Guard soldiers and airmen will be among those walking parade routes and making Veterans Day speeches.
On this Veterans Day, we express our gratitude to the men and women whose service reflects the nation’s best. They are an inspiration to current and future generations of military leaders.
Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman Ohio adjutant general Galena John Kasich and members of the General Assembly for expanding Ohio’s student financial-aid program so that military veterans attending a public two-year institution are now eligible to receive these benefits.
With November being Hire-a-Veteran Month in Ohio, we cannot think of a better way to help veterans start their careers than investing in their postsecondary training and education.
This much-needed change to the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) program means that veteran students at a community college can once again receive state financial aid to help pay for their housing and other living expenses while attending a community college. Due to a shortcoming with the OCOG program, students attending lower-tuition public institutions of higher education have been unable to access state financial aid.
With this change, state leaders have opened a pathway that will allow veterans attending a community college to find successful careers after their military service without the burden of significant student debt.
Our community college leaders are grateful for the countless sacrifices of our veterans and they are proud to join Ohio’s leaders in their commitment to providing them with an affordable, high quality college education.
Jack Hershey President, CEO Ohio Association of Community Colleges Columbus