____

ROBERT BERTSCHY

Department Commander

By the time you receive this newsletter, I hope that you had a Very, Very Merry Christmas. I also wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.

As we celebrate this holiday season, our thoughts and prayers are with the men and women in harm’s way in the distant lands. We look forward to their safe return to their homes and families. We thank you for their performance and extraordinary duty. I know that all of you will welcome them home and congratulate them for a job well done. Everyone likes a pat on the back.

Even as war takes it’s brutal toll, during this holiday season, we hold out for peace with all of our hearts.

But as we look to the New Year – with so many of our men and women in uniform risking their lives on behalf of a grateful nation – we must remember that peace is not a reality all over the world. We must stand poised to ensure that our citizens do not forget the sacrifices of our military in the cause of liberty.

Through our daily tasks, you are making a tremendous difference in their lives. I hope, as you spent time with your families, that you will pray for the men and women serving overseas. And I hope that you will think of the generations who have served in the past. As you do, I hope it warms your heart to know that you have been an important part of a great cause. We have and will continue to bring them tidings of comfort and joy.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC,

Sheila Clements (513) 475-6443

Mike Shaw (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Gene McCorkle Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

James Keller Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Michael Hackworth

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

Warren Clinic (330) 392-0311

Youngstown Clinic (330) 70-9200

Ext. 105

Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000

DATES TO REMEMBER

March 2-5, 2008 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

March 29, 2007 2^nd District Meeting, Dayton VA, Building, 305, Multi-purpose room, lunch at noon, meeting to begin at 1 p.m., Dayton, Ohio

April 6, 2008 8^th District Meeting, Bellaire Chapter #117, Lunch at 1 p.m. and meeting to begin at 2 p.m., Bellaire.

April 12, 2008 Testimonial Dinner Auxiliary Commander Dorothy Clark, Holiday Inn Eastgate, Cincinnati, Ohio

April 19, 2008 Testimonial Dinner Commander Robert Bertschy, Holiday Inn, Canton, 4520 Everhard Rd., NW, Canton, OH

April 27, 2008 6^th District Meeting, Brooklyn-Parma Chapter #116, at 2 p.m.

April 27, 2008 7^th District Meeting, Alliance Chapter #50, at 2 p.m., Alliance, Ohio

June 5-8, 2008 DAV Department Convention, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio

August 9-12, 2008 DAV National Convention,

Bally’s Hotel, Las Vegas.

October 10-12, 2008 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 4-7, 2009 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 9-11, 2009 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 10-13, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Thought For January:

“The tongue runs the fastest, when the brain is in neutral”

Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine donated more than 10,000 balsam fir wreaths with blazing red bows that were placed by 3,000 volunteers Sunday, December 16^th on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. These volunteers came from all over the country, putting holiday demands on hold to honor veterans. They noticed that most of the graves

have not seen anyone visiting to pay respects for years.

Mr. Worcester started the wreath project “by mistake” when he had extra wreaths in 1992 and decided to decorate graves at Arlington National Cemetery. He has since expanded the Arlington Project to Wreaths Across America, with the goal of placing wreaths on graves at more than 200 National Cemeteries and Monuments nationwide. With donations from the public, volunteers are expected to decorate about 35,000 graves nationwide this season. Cadets from the Civil Air Patrol in Kansas City raised $17,000 for this effort. Cathy Metcalf, the Cadet Squadron’s Deputy Commander said, “It is because of our veterans that we are here, walking in a free country.

Mr. Worcester, traveling with two trucks donated by companies in Maine, which were escorted by Maine State Police and Patriot Guard Riders, stopped at several schools along the way to talk to students. “I don’t think they realize that the ultimate sacrifice by these veterans happened for them,” he said. He sees support growing and gratitude for what’s been done as volunteers tap him on the shoulder to shake his hand. “God bless you.” Said Kathy Pickett of Sykesville, MD. “I just think this is amazing. You want every veteran to have a wreath on their grave for the sacrifices they have made.”

The huge backlog of veteran’s benefits claims, now 400,000 and climbing, is hardly a secret. Less well known is the other side of this problem – the appeals process that kicks in when veterans challenge initial decisions on their claims. The US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has the highest caseload of any federal appeals court. In fiscal year 2007, it received 4,644 cases and decided 4,877 of them, both all time records for a court that has only seven judges. The appeals backlog is at 6,300 and climbing, which is why it takes an average of two years for a decision. Congress has been asked to approve hiring of more support staff and to add more judges but, this request is mired in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. And, after years of delay, the VA is finally hiring more claims processors – which will accelerate initial decisions but, likely accelerate appeals, as well.

And now, a message to CONGRESS: Do something right for a change! Put America First! Stop playing games with the lives of our troops…we want a funding bill for our warriors without all the PORK, qualifiers and political maneuvering. Veterans Day 2007 is behind us...the political photo-ops are history…must we continue the deception and distortion from Congress and childish antics from the “presidential candidates”?? Politicians that use our warriors as pawns for political advantage is an act of betrayal to our troops and America. Fund our troops without attaching garbage to the Bill!

I sincerely hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas. I know that I feel greatly honored to have been a guest at many of your Chapter Christmas Parties/Dinners. I truly regret that, due to severe weather, I was unable to attend Chapter 45’s Christmas Party. My thoughts and prayers were with you anyway.

As always, keep our troops in your prayers as they fight the good fight in the war on terrorism. And, never forget FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Officers

President James M. McAuliffe

News Release from the Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Officers (OSACVSO)

The Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Officers (OSACVS0) wishes to remind veterans and their dependents of an important benefits provided in their county by their local County Veterans Service Office/Commission. Understanding the need for temporary financial assistance, the State of Ohio enacted the Soldier's Relief Act of 1866 which created the Soldier's Relief Commission in each county. This commission is now known as the Veterans Service Commission and is funded by county real estate taxes.

The Veterans Service Commissions were established for the purpose of assisting veterans and their dependents who have met with unexpected hardship as a result of sickness, injury, or disease; becoming destitute because of a lack of employment; or being unable to find gainful or adequate employment.

Of primary importance to each Veterans Service Commission are the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter and clothing. It is the purpose of each Commission to assist veterans and their dependents temporarily until a permanent solution to their difficulties can be arranged.

Some residency requirements may be needed for an applicant to qualify for Veterans Service Commission Financial Assistance. The applicant or the veteran on who service the application is based must have been discharged under honorable conditions from active duty military service performed for other than training purposes only. Additional information on all who may qualify is available under Ohio Veterans Laws sections 5901 of ORC...

Application forms and additional information for assistance consideration are available at your local County Veterans Service Office. DD-214 (or military discharge papers), a picture I.D., proof of income, proof of net worth, copies of current bills and proof of residency may be required at the time of application in most counties. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local Veterans Service Office/ Veterans Service Commission. Your County Veterans Service Office/Center is the number one resource for obtaining benefits in the state of Ohio. Many Federal, state and local benefits are available to eligible veterans and their dependents. You are invited to stop in at your local veterans office. All 88 counties have trained, certified Veterans Service Officers, Veterans Service Commissioners and staff that can assist veterans and their dependents with their claims for benefits such as compensation, veterans & widows deaths pension/DIC, education, burial, markers etc. And answer questions about Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and provide transportation to DVA Medical facilities, and do records searches. Your local County Veterans Service Office may be reached at:

Adams Co. - 937-544-5005

Allen Co. - 419-223-8522

Ashland Co. - 419-282-4225

Ashtabula Co. - 440-964-8324

Athens Co. - 740-592-3216

Auglaize Co - 419-739-6750

Belmont Co. - 740-695-2121 X125

Brown Co. - 937 378-3155

Butler Co. - 513-887-3600

Carroll Co. - 330 627-2590

Champaign Co. - 937 653-4554

Clark Co. - 937-328-2482

Clermont Co. - 513-732-7363

Clinton Co. - 937-382-3233

Columbiana Co. - 330-424-7214

Coshocton Co. - 740-622-2313

Crawford Co. - 419-562-7761

Cuyahoga Co. - 216-698-2600

Darke Co. - 937-547-7398

Defiance Co. - 419-782-6861

Delaware Co. - 740-833-2010

Erie Co. - 419-627-7650/51

Fairfield Co. - 740-689-6202

Fayette Co. - 740-335-1610

Franklin Co. - 614-462-2500

Fulton Co. - 419-337-9266

Gallia Co. - 740-446-2005

Geauga Co. - 440-279-1860

Greene Co. - 937-562-6020

Guernsey Co. - 740-432-9295/94

Hamilton Co - 513-946-3300

Hancock Co. - 419-424-7036

Hardin Co. - 419-674-2219

Harrison Co. - 740-942-8441

Henry Co. - 419-592-0956

Highland Co. - 937-393-8686

Hocking Co. - 740-385-7507

Holmes Co. - 330-674-4806

Huron Co. - 419-668-4150

Jackson Co. - 740-286-3004

Jefferson Co. - 740-283-8571

Knox Co. - 740-393-6742

Lake Co. - 440-350-2567

Lawrence Co. - 740-533-4327/4328

Licking Co. - 740-670-5430

Logan Co. - 937-599-4221

Lorain Co. - 440-284-4623/24/25

Lucas Co. - 419-213-6090/92

Madison Co. - 740-852-0676

Mahoning Co. - 330-740-2450/51/52

Marion Co. - 740 387-0100

Medina Co. - 330-722-9368

Meigs Co. - 740-992-2820

Mercer Co. - 419-586-3542

Miami Co. - 937-440-8126

Monroe Co. - 740-472-0743

Montgomery Co. - 937-225-4801

Morgan Co. - 740 962-4181

Morrow Co. - 419-946-1914

Muskingum Co. - 740-455-7149

Noble Co. - 740-732-5567

Ottawa Co. - 800-610-8872

Paulding Co. - 419-399-8285

Perry Co. - 740-342-2536

Pickaway Co. - 740-474-3650

Pike Co. - 740-947-2766

Portage Co. 330-297-3545

Preble Co. - 937-456-6111

Putnam Co. - 419-523-4478

Richland Co. - 419-774-5822

Ross Co. - 740-772-1600

Sandusky Co. - 419-334-4421

Scioto Co. - 740-353-1477

Seneca Co. - 419-447-2885

Shelby Co. - 937-498-7282

Stark Co. - 330-451-7457

Summit Co. - 330-643-2830

Trumbull Co. - 330-674-2585

Tuscarawas Co. - 330-339-1163

Union Co. - 937-642-7956

Van Wert Co. - 419-238-9592

Vinton Co. - 740-596-4571 X224

Warren Co. - 513-695-1363

Washington Co. - 740-568-9009

Wayne Co. - 330-345-6638

Williams Co. - 419-636-8812

Wood Co. - 419-354-9147

Wyandot Co. - 419-294-2045

William E. Bessinger- Historian OSACVSO/PR

Chairman Acting.

Crawford County Veterans Service Officer

112 E. Mansfield St., Suite 95, Courthouse, lower level, bucyrus, Ohio 44820

Phone: 419-562-7761 Fax: 419-562-0662

E-mail - billb@crawford-co.org

Office Hours: 8:30 -4:30 - Monday-Friday Courthouse

Serv. Officer available: Tuesday - 1:30 to 4:30 VFW Crestline and Thursday 1:00 to 4:30 Galion, Am. Legion.

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS