Veterans Service
Commission

2022 Quarterly Newsletters

Monthly Raffle Giveaways!

JAN 2022

John Todd of Jefferson, OH. John served in the Navy from September 1965 to September 1967 with a tour in Vietnam as a Gunner’s Mate! John is now retired and was excited to take home this handcrafted Cooler Stand!

FEB 2022

Aaron Ashley of Ashtabula, OH. Aaron served in the USMC from 2002-2010. Aaron is a decorated Marine with three combat tours to Iraq. Aaron is now truck driver and lives in Ashtabula with his family. Aaron took home a $350 voucher to have his vehicle detailed by Flawless Cleaning & Detailing out of Geneva, OH!

MAR 2022

James Robideau of Ashtabula, OH.  James served in the Army National Guard from 1981-2012. Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, James served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and was part of the mobilization in support of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. James won a $100 Gift Card provided by the DAV Bob Swanson Chapter #39, a $25 Gas Card from the VSC and a $350voucher to have his vehicle detailed by Flawless Cleaning &Detailing out of Geneva, OH!

APR 2022

Merlyn Bailey of Jefferson. Merlyn served in the Air Force from 1965 through 1969. He served with the Security Police enforcing, guarding, and protecting our assets and personnel while upholding our military laws. He was honorably released from duty and joined our community of veterans both here and abroad. We, the VSC would like to thank him for his service and offer our congratulations on winning. Merlyn took home a $350 gift certificate provided by Flawless Cleaning and Detailing, two $50 gift cards for Giant Eagle provided by Rolling Thunder, Inc. Ohio Chapter 2, one $25 gas card provided by the VSC and an annual subscription to the Gazette Newspaper.

MAY 2022

Raymond Burns of Jefferson. Ray served in the Navy from 1966-1985, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. Ray was both, Surface Warfare and Submarine qualified. After retiring from the Navy, Ray worked for the Cleveland Regional VA Office as their Information Security Officer until retiring again in 2012. Today, he stays active with the Army-Navy Union, VFW, and American Legion and enjoys spending time with family as often as he can. Ray took home a tattered wooden flag in recognition of Memorial Day provided by Greg’s Custom Wood Creations and a $350 value vehicle detailing provided by Flawless Cleaning & Detailing out of Geneva, OH.

JUL 2022

Kayleen Kenndy of Ashtabula. Kayleen served in the Ohio Army National Guard from 2018-2022. She was a Human Resource Specialist during her term.  Kayleen worked in the Mid-Ohio Food Bank during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist the communities in need of food and supplies and also assisted with human resource work for recruiting and retention. Kayleen was honorably discharged from the National Guard and now spends her days raising her baby and taking in the joys of motherhood. Kayleen took home a metal tattered flag with the Pledge of Allegiance inscribed on the flag's stripes, provided by TNT Archery & Outdoors. She also took home a voucher for $350 to be redeemed by Flawless Cleaning and Detailing located in Geneva.

AUG 2022

Robert Kase of Geneva. Mr. Kase was drafted in the Army when he was 20 years old from Geneva, OH. He was a mechanic on helicopters working on glass and sheet metal repair. He went to basic training at Ft. Knox, KY and went to AIT at Ft. Eustis, VA. Then, he received orders to transfer to Vietnam. He continued to do helicopter repairs and worked on 13s, 23s, and Hueys. He was stationed in a combat zone and was always under fire in Vietnam. He was in Cam Ranh Bay, Natrang and Da Nang. He served almost two-years in Vietnam. He came home in 1969 and was in the Inactive Ready Reserve through 1974. He worked for 23 years at Reliance Electric and worked 57 years driving tow truck. He retired almost two years ago at the age of 74. He just celebrated his 50 years of marriage in February to Denise Kase. Robert won a hand-crafted rocking chair, provided by Greg's Custom Wood Creations and a voucher for $350 to be redeemed by Flawless Cleaning and Detailing located in Geneva.

SEP 2022

Creed Smith of Geneva is the winner of the September 2022 raffle giveaway. Creed entered the U.S. Navy from Cleveland, Ohio when he was 20 years old. He served as an Electrician with the Navy Seabees and was on the Sam O Set for almost three years. The Sam O Set is an Ocean-going tug boat that is 147 feet. It was used to tow dry docks to Scotland. It was also used to tow ships that were out of commission to destinations and put them back into commission. It towed targets for target practice by a cable behind them and other ships would shoot at the targets.  Creed also worked in the engine room. He remembers receiving a Chief’s pay because they did not want to lose electricians. His enlistment was extended for three months during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which sent him to Cuba. Creed was Honorable discharged from the U.S. Navy following his deployment to Cuba. 
Mr. Creed came into our office to find out if he was a VETERAN. After all of these years of not taking advantage of VA Benefits he is now aware of his benefits. He and his wife Darlene live in Geneva, Ohio. They have spent time in every state in America. They are also members of the Lost Dutchman Mining Association. Creed won the metal tattered flag with the Pledge of Allegiance inscribed on the flag’s stripes, provided by TNT Archery & Outdoors. Additionally, he took home a voucher for $350 to be redeemed by Flawless Cleaning and Detailing located in Geneva. 
Thank you for allowing the VSC to provide you with your VA Benefits Well-Check and thank you for your service sir!

OCT 2022

Richard Palinkas of Geneva is the winner of the October 2022 raffle giveaway. Richard served in the U.S. Army from September 1959 to October 1967. Following Basic Combat Training, he trained as a Heavy Truck Driver at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Upon completion of his Advanced Individual Training, he was stationed in Germany, where he would serve with the 594th Transportation Company. He left Germany to be stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia with A Company, 575th Engineer Battalion with the 3rd Army. Richard served a tour in Vietnam during his time with the 575th Engineers and was ultimately, Honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in October 1961. Today, Richard is a retired truck driver who enjoys spending time with his wife of 61 years, his 22 grandchildren, and his 28 great grandchildren. In his spare time, he likes to tinker around with lawn mowers.

Richard took home a $30.00 gift card, donated by the Crow’s Nest, a $50.00 gas card provided by the Veterans Service Commission, and a voucher worth $350.00 toward a complete vehicle detailing by Flawless Cleaning & Detailing in Geneva. Thank you for your service and thank you for allowing our Commission to provide you with a Benefits Well-Check!

Events

May 11, 2023
Rite of Passage Ceremony

August 2023
Veteran's Appreciation Day

2022 Event Content Booklet

August 2023
D-Day Conneaut

CONTACT VETERANS SERVICE COMMISSION

1212 Lake Avenue

Ashtabula, Ohio 44004

Office: (440) 964-8324

Fax: (440) 964-3582

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