THE HISTORY OF

THE GREENE COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE COMMISSION

       In May 1886, the Ohio Legislatures enacted laws providing for a Soldier’s Relief Commission of three members to be appointed for each of the 88 counties in the state.  The state legislature saw a need to repay the dept owed Ohio’s Civil War veterans and formulated this set of laws to provide financial assistance for Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and their dependents or survivors. 

        The Soldier’s Relief Commissions functioned for nearly sixty years, providing for the needs of Ohio veterans.  Each Soldiers Relief Commission, acting as a separate entity, was funded first by a maximum of 0.1 mill, then 0.3 mill, and finally 0.5 mill of the property value in each county where it has remained since 1910.

        As the fighting during WWII continued, it became apparent that the part-time Soldiers Relief Commission required assistance in handling the influx of veterans and the new federal benefits that they were entitled to.  In 1945, the Ohio Legislature again took action to provide readily available assistance for veterans in making application for this multitude of benefits provided by the “GI Bill.”

        In addition to increasing the size of the Soldier’s Relief Commission to five members, new provisions were added to the law allowing each Soldier’s Relief Commission to employ an honorably discharged veteran as a County Veterans’ Service Officer (CVSO).  Duties of the CVSO would be to “assist veterans and dependents in making application for any benefit provided under State or Federal law.”

        On September 14, 1988, legislation was introduced that changed the name of the Soldier’s Relief Commission to the Veterans Service Commission (VSC).  Legislation changes made in 1994 helped define the mission and responsibilities of the VSC and created standards for both Commissioners and County Veterans’ Service Officers.  Also in 1994, Ohio legislators mandated legislation that each county veteran service office provide regularly scheduled trips to and from VA Medical Centers for veterans having scheduled medical appointments.  

        Today, the Greene County VSC employs seven staff members to administer the benefits and services provided for veterans and their families. Our staff works hard to provide courteous, professional service for our veterans and their families.  As far as the service we provide for VA claims development, our CVSO’s are among the most highly trained and effective in the country.  In Ohio, they must have at least eighteen months on the job training and receive additional “classroom” instruction from the Ohio State Association of County Veteran Service Officers (OSACVSO) and the Department of Veteran Affairs.  Once these requirements have been met CVSO’s must take and pass a State Certification Exam administered by the State of Ohio through the Governors Office of Veterans’ Affairs (GOVA) to maintain their position.  In addition, our (Greene County) CVSO’s are required to become certified through the National Association of County Veteran Service Officer (NACVSO), which maintains the highest educational standards nationally on prosecuting VA claims.  To maintain these certifications, each CVSO must be re-certified each year through continuing education administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, OSACVSO, and NACVSO.

        Currently, Greene County veterans and/or their dependents receive over forty-five million dollars annually from the Department of Veterans Affairs in the form of VA service-connected disability compensation, non-service-connected pension, survivor benefits, education, life insurance, and medical benefits.  Over 28 million dollars of that amount goes directly to veterans and their dependents in the form of a monetary benefit for compensation, pension, education, and/or as a beneficiary of an insurance policy.  As far as providing financial assistance to our veterans and their families, only three other counties in the State provided a higher average of assistance per applicant than the Greene County Veterans’ Service Commission did in 2005.  Each application is thoroughly investigated and monies provided ensure qualified veterans and their families have an opportunity to overcome legitimate, temporary financial difficulties, while they work to improve their situation.  And finally, through our transportation program we transport on average 130 veterans a month from their home to the Dayton VAMC and back home again each month.             

       The veterans of Greene County and their dependents, as well as all other county residents, can be assured that the Veteran Service Commission and the staff of the Greene County Veterans’ Services are committed and dedicated to the veterans of Greene County and their families.  This commitment and dedication enables the veterans’ community the opportunity of having highly trained professional advocacy in the development and prosecution of their VA claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well the opportunity to receive all other benefits in which they may be entitled under State and Federal Law.

 John E. Steele, Executive Director, CVSO