Issue 1: Service Bonus for Ohio Vets

The Ohio Attorney General, Richard Codray sent out a letter recently to increase the awareness about Issue 1 on the Ohio statewide General Election on November 3, 2009. Some of the main points are included here. Issue 1 is a proposed constitutional amendment to provide a service bonus to Ohio veterans of the conflicts of Afghanistan, Iran and the Persian Gulf.

The bipartisan proposal would authorize the Ohio Department of Veterans Services to provide compensation to persons who have served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces at any time during these conflicts and who were Ohio residents when they began their service and currently still are.
Ohio has a long tradition of providing these bonuses to veterans of every major conflict dating back to World War I.

While modest, these benefits have recognized the service of our war veterans and helped with their transition back to civilian life. This compensation would be funded through the issuance of bonds, as has been the case with previous bonus amendments.
This amendment would provide up to $1000 in compensation for Ohio veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq, and up to $500 for those serving elsewhere during those conflicts. Families of Ohioans killed in action would receive $5000 in compensation in addition to any other compensation earned by the service member. Those held as a prisoner of war or families of those missing in action are also eligible for a $5000 bonus.
I ask that you be an informed voter and at the same time help the veterans community to promote this initiative to honor the service of our fellow Ohioans who have done so much for our country.

Short URL: http://thisismycounty.com/?p=771

Dave Rose, of Scio, is the County Veterans Service Officer. He retired in 2008 as a Department of Army civilian from Fort Meade, Maryland with forty years of Federal service (military and civilian). He is a member of the Scio American Legion, Scio Ruritans, Harrison County Historical Society, Harrison County Military Support Group, and the Custer Memorial Association. His hobbies include collecting military insignia and reading Civil War history.