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Disabled American Veterans, VFW, AMVETS and Vietnam Veterans describe services and ask for sustained funding
Summary
Representatives of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), AMVETS and Vietnam Veterans of America described transportation, claims assistance and service‑officer coverage across Ohio and urged continued or increased state support to maintain service‑officer positions and expand reach.
Multiple veteran service organizations testified before the Government Oversight and Reform Committee about the services they provide and the need for continued state support.
Mike Stith, adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of Ohio, said the DAV operates hospital transportation vans that carry veterans to VA hospitals at no charge and reported placement of nine new hospital vans in several counties since his last testimony. He said DAV assistance helps veterans secure federal benefits and that federal dollars flowing to veterans and their dependents benefit Ohio’s economy.
David Root, legislative chairman for the Department of Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars, described the VFW’s use of state GRF funds to support accredited service officers who help all veterans pursue benefits regardless of membership. Root said the VFW’s state subsidy (currently $450,000 according to his testimony) makes up about one‑third of the department’s annual income and urged an increase to $475,000 to offset rising costs and to fund an additional accredited service officer in Columbus.
Don McCauley, executive director of AMVETS Department of Ohio, said AMVETS operates seven service officers across the state and that state funding supports service‑officer programs that ensure veterans can claim federal benefits; he described the high federal return in compensation and pensions to Ohio veterans.
Richard Arthur, Buckeye State Council president of Vietnam Veterans of America, said his organization has about 3,800 members in Ohio and that one certified VSO serves Cleveland; he described efforts to place an additional VSO in Columbus.
All witnesses emphasized that accredited service officers assist veterans in completing VA claims and that state funding helps secure federal benefits for Ohioans. Several asked the committee to sustain or modestly increase state appropriations so organizations can retain or expand accredited service‑officer coverage.
