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Veterans Service Office reports $2.74 million in 2025 benefits, outlines facility upgrades and outreach plans
Summary
At the April 9 Wood County commissioners meeting VSO Executive Director Zach Migura reported $2,742,700.61 in VA benefits awarded in 2025 and described staffing, records-storage reconciliation, facility signage plans and expanding community programs including jam sessions and an e-gaming pilot.
Zach Migura, executive director of the Wood County Veterans Service Office, told the Board of County Commissioners on April 9 that the office secured $2,742,700.61 in VA benefits for clients in calendar year 2025 and has awarded $183,275.72 so far in 2026.
Migura said staff adjudicated 211 claims in 2025 with 10 pending at year end; for 2026 to date the office adjudicated 20 claims with 38 pending. He told commissioners the VSO has been hiring new staff, which has led to some "rookie mistakes" in claim reviews, and that staff are actively reconciling veteran records kept in both filing cabinets and a software system to ensure information is properly stored.
The director described active participation in local coalitions — the Wood County Housing and Homelessness Coalition and the Suicide Prevention Coalition — and said the VSO is coordinating programming to support veterans’ morale and social connection. The office has hosted jam sessions (about 10 sessions with 10–12 veterans participating), added time for game nights and is planning a euchre tournament. Migura said the office is discussing an e-gaming tournament with Penta and suggested checking with a Rossford venue for events. He also noted collaboration with Honor Flight volunteers.
On facility improvements, Migura said exterior upgrades at the VSO’s new location on East Gypsy Lane will include signage and a flagpole; sign designs and decal mock-ups were included in meeting materials. He reported ongoing concerns about limited storage in the 1940 E. Gypsy Lane building and said building renovations and exterior work are in a next phase of planning. He also said an entry door’s automatic opener has struggled with wind and the motor is at capacity.
Migura outlined upcoming training and events: the team will attend state training April 29–May 1 and national training May 30–June 6, and he flagged Memorial Day appropriations and flag distributions. He also said the National Alliance on Mental Illness is organizing a Veterans Response Team meeting on May 15; he said there are about five such teams in Ohio and roughly 20 nationwide.
Commissioners thanked Migura for the work. The meeting record shows commissioners recessed at 9:48 a.m. and resumed at 10:00 a.m.
