Ohio Department of Veterans Services

Each day at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died for our country, never getting the chance to become an Ohio veteran.

Tonight, we salute Columbus’ Charles Asa Moffett. The Private First Class was part of a first aid unit during a violent artillery shelling on Nov. 4, 1918 near Flanders field at the Escant River. His unit left its shelter when the soldiers heard cries for help and the sounds of a projectile headed in their direction. They rushed back to the shelter, but “Asa” was instantly killed by a gr***de fragment in his back just one week before the Armistice.

In 3 days, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct 20 new honorees. Each class is filled with Ohio veterans who have impacted their communities, our country, and the world.

Today, we continue with the Class of 1994, with 13 inductees. Among them were legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes; tire mogul B.F. Goodrich; and Verne Riffe, the longest serving speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives.

To learn more about these or any of the more than 950 members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF.

Each day at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died for our country, never getting the chance to become an Ohio Veteran.

Tonight, we salute Springfield Ohio’s James Richard Ward, one of three Ohioans awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Ward was serving on the battleship Oklahoma on December 7, 1941 when several torpedoes from Japanese torpedo-bombers hit the Oklahoma's hull. As his ship was capsizing, despite its crew being ordered to abandon it, Ward remained in a turret holding a flashlight, to sacrifice his own life to allow other members of the crew to escape. For his heroism that infamous day, Ward was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

To veterans interested in deals, discounts, and free services available in the coming days, we offer the following list of some of popular restaurant, retail, travel, and recreation discounts surrounding Veterans Day:

2024 Veterans Day Deals, Discounts and Freebies Businesses salute our military heroes on Veterans Day with a host of discounts and freebies for veterans, service members and their families. Learn more.

In 4 days, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct 20 new honorees. Each class is filled with Ohio veterans who have impacted their communities, our country, and the world.

Today, we continue with the Class of 1995, with 26 inductees. Among them were Vietnam War nurse Sharon Lane, and Isaac F. Mack Jr., the founder of the Associated Press (AP) news agency.

To learn more about these or any of the more than 950 members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, or to nominate a deserving veteran for the class of 2025, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF.

Each day at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died for our country, never getting the chance to become an Ohio Veteran.

Tonight, we salute Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger, who gave his life to save the lives over 60 men of the famed 1st Infantry Division, the “Big Red One,” in Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2000.

Each year on Nov. 2, National Ohio Day recognizes the 17th state to join the United States known as the Buckeye State, the Mother of Modern Presidents, and the Birthplace of Aviation.

Ohioans always have looked toward the sky and space. Whether we recall the Wright Brothers who got us there, ace pilots like Eddie Rickenbacker who controlled it, or astronauts like Neil Armstrong and John Glenn who went where no one had gone before, Ohioans always have a reason to look up.

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In 5 days, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct 20 new honorees. Each class is filled with Ohio veterans who have impacted their communities, our country, and the world.

Today, we continue with the Class of 1996, with our largest class ever – 30 inductees. Among them were Columbus' "Dean of Sports” Jimmy Crum, Tuskegee Airman John H. Rosemond Sr., and Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s.

To learn more about these or any of the more than 950 members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF.

Each day at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died for our country, never getting the chance to become an Ohio Veteran.

Tonight, we salute PFC David Winder, who was serving as a senior medical aidman in Vietnam when, after saving two lives, he continued to crawl through over 100 meters of open, bullet-swept terrain towards a third when he was killed. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor.

The month of November is Military Family Month dedicated to military families in Ohio and around the world. The annual observance recognizes the commitment, dedication and sacrifices Ohio’s Military families make for our military to remain organized and strong.

While their servicemen and women are actively serving, deployed or training, their families left behind provide a vital foundation at home that inspire confidence in the field. Spouses and children are often separated from their service members for long periods of time and across great distances.

This month and every month, ODVS asks that you thank a veteran, active duty, reserve or national guard service member or family member for their service by giving back.

- Adopt a military family for the holidays.
- Offer to run errands for military spouses who may have their hands full with their children or even their pets.
- Volunteer or donate services to military organizations.

In 6 days, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct 20 new honorees. Each class is filled with Ohio veterans who have impacted their communities, our country, and the world.

Today, we continue with the Class of 1997, with 29 inductees. Among them were Civil War legend Johnny Shiloh; Curtis E. LeMay, who directed the Berlin Air Lift; Browns and Bengals coach Paul Brown; Indians Pitcher Bob Feller; and the "King of Hollywood,” Clark Gable.

To learn more about these or any of the more than 950 members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF.

Each day at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died for our country, never getting the chance to become an Ohio veteran.

Tonight, we salute Troy Private First Class Jeffrey L. Rice, who died July 19, 2012, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

In honor of Veterans Day, our partners at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources(ODNR), in cooperation with U.S. Hotels, will offer U.S. military, both active duty and veterans, a 30% discount off one camping, getaway rental, state-operated cabin, or resort lodge stay during the month of November. To check availability or to make a reservation for state-operated camping, cabins, and other facilities, visit reserveohio.com. Use the promo code “VETERAN24” to receive the 30% discount.

In 7 days, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct 20 new honorees. Each class is filled with Ohio veterans who have impacted their communities, our country, and the world.

Today, we continue with the Class of 1998, with 28 inductees. Among them were Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor Recipient Clinton Greaves; U.S. Congressman Anthony J. Celebrezze; and William Powell, who designed, built, owned and operated the first golf course in America by an African American.

To learn more about these or any of the more than 950 members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF.

For every kid who dressed up on All Hallows’ Eve dreaming of someday serving their country, Happy Halloween from the Ohio Department of Veteran Services.

Each day at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died for our country, never getting the chance to become an Ohio veteran.

Tonight, we salute Columbus Army Specialist Four Roger Dale Clark, who died , Oct. 30, 1966, in Binh Duong province, South Vietnam.

In 8 days, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct 20 new honorees. Each class is filled with Ohio veterans who have impacted their communities, our country, and the world.

Today, we continue with the Class of 1999, with 22 inductees. Among them were General George A. Custer; David W. Longaberger, Founder of The Longaberger Company; and Academy Award-winning actor Paul Newman.

To learn more about these or any of the more than 950 members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF.

Oct. 30 is National Speak Up for Service Day to recognize the importance of young people, like Junior ROTC, who are actively involved in community service. Too often, the good deeds of young people go unnoticed by their communities. Speak Up For Service Day gives recognition to the overlooked. It serves as a reminder to tell others about the contributions of young people to their communities. When we give credit to their hard work, our communities thrive.

Each day at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died for our country, never getting the chance to become an Ohio veteran.

Tonight, we salute Reynoldsburg Army Corporal Lindsey William Mitchell was killed while fighting the enemy in the Sherwin Area of North Korea , Oct. 29, 1951.

Nearly four decades after he became the first American to orbit the Earth, a distinguished Marine fighter pilot from both World War II and Korea, Ohio Senator and presidential candidate John Hershel Glenn Jr., became the oldest human ever to travel in space in 1998. As a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Discovery, the 77-year-old national hero from Cambridge, Ohio, conducted experiments on health problems associated with aging. Glenn, a member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, would live to be 95 years old before passing in 2016.

In 9 days, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct 20 new honorees. Each class is filled with Ohio veterans who have impacted their communities, our country, and the world.

Today, we continue with the Class of 2000, with 19 inductees. Among them were George Washington Williams, the first African American elected to the Ohio General Assembly, and Otto F. Apel Jr., a Korean War surgeon who served as a consultant for the television series “M*A*S*H*.”

To learn more about these or any of the more than 950 members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, head to OhioVets.gov/HOF.

Each day at sunset, as part of the ODVS Ohio Taps Project, we pay tribute to an Ohioan who died for our country, never getting the chance to become an Ohio veteran.

Tonight, we salute Army Cpl. Jason J. Hernandez, who was killed on Sept. 7, 2007, in Mosul, Iraq, from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations.