Veterans Connection 9/16/2026

The Veterans Curation Program (VCP) is currently seeking applicants for our November 2026-March 2027 session at the Dayton, OH location!

The Veterans Curation Program (VCP) is located on the historic campus of the Dayton, Ohio VA Medical Center in partnership with the VA History Office.

This is an exciting, paid five-month employment program with two missions:

1. Provide recently discharged military members with meaningful employment, and solidify future professional goals with them to pursue during the five month program.
2. To identify, organize, and catalog archaeological and archival collections that are the result of historic preservation work done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To meet federal guidelines, the collections will be packaged for long-term storage and use at the VA History Center.

Absolutely no prior experience or interest in archaeology or archives is necessary to be hired for this job! We have had program participants from all fields including Computer Science, Logistics, Public Administration, Business Management, and even Graphic Art. The skills learned in the session are transferrable to many types of careers. All training is taught during the session and by the end of the program technicians will be able to complete all required duties.

Eligibility for the VCP:

• Must be a discharged U.S. military veteran or actively drilling reservist in good standing (DD214 or similar documentation required).
• Veterans from all eras are welcome to apply. Per Public Law 114–189, preference will be given to veterans that separated post-9/11, but veterans from previous eras will be considered if open positions remain.
• Must be willing to submit to a background check for full consideration.
• Cannot be a former graduate of the VCP. Participants are allowed to complete one five-month session.

Vietnam Veterans of America, Miami Valley Chapter 97 & Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support present the 2nd Annual Used Book Drive.

Donate your gently used books and help support local veterans!

VVA Chapter 97 & Operation Veteran and Caregiver Support are collecting books for an upcoming book sale. Proceeds benefit local veteran projects and VVA 97 college/trade school scholarships.

Books of all kinds welcome—including children's books, history, military, art, and more! Whole libraries welcomed!

Sale date has not been set yet—but we are accepting donations now!

Drop off Books at:
Operation Veteran & Caregiver Support
1001 N. County Road 25A
Troy, OH 45373
Thursdays | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Need a different time or a pickup?
Call (937)606-2333 or email VVA97News@outlook.com

Your books will support those who served.

Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission,

On behalf of the officers and members of American Legion Fort McKinley Memorial Post 613, I respectfully invite the leadership, commissioners, and staff of the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission to join us for our Veterans Day Luncheon on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 27 S. Meadow Drive in Dayton.

The luncheon will serve as the centerpiece of our Veterans Week Celebration, a week dedicated to honoring veterans, recognizing their service and sacrifice, and strengthening the connection between veterans and the organizations that serve them.

We anticipate more than 100 attendees, including veterans, current service members, JROTC and college students, first responders, elected officials, military leaders, and community leaders.

We are especially honored to welcome Retired General William E. “Kip” Ward, former Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), as our keynote speaker. General Ward will share reflections on leadership, life, and service and will participate in a signing of his book, Improving the Foxhole: Ward’s Way – Reflections on Leadership, Life, and Service.

Our program will also include participation from area JROTC programs, University of Dayton Army ROTC, active-duty service members, and representatives from local, state, and federal government.

Following the luncheon, General Ward and members of Post 613 will visit a local nursing facility to personally meet and honor veterans who reside there.

Given the Veterans Service Commission’s important role in supporting Montgomery County veterans and their families, we would be honored to have your organization represented at this special celebration.

We would also welcome the opportunity to continue strengthening the relationship between the Veterans Service Commission and Post 613 as we work together to ensure veterans throughout our community know about and have access to the benefits, resources, and support they have earned.

Thank you for everything you do for Montgomery County’s veterans and their families. We sincerely hope you can join us.

Respectfully,

Jason B. Ward

Post Commander

American Legion Fort McKinley Memorial Post 613

MSG, Ohio Army National Guard (Retired)

27 S. Meadow Drive

Dayton, Ohio 45416

Recent actions out of the Ohio General Assembly introduce meaningful updates focused on outdoor recreation discounts and support systems for justice-involved veterans.

Senate Bill 223 requires the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to establish a discount program providing at least 25% off for veterans and active service members across all state park services and overnight rentals (excluding merchandise). Eligible individuals can use standard documentation—such as an Ohio veteran ID card, a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), or a Department of Defense-issued privilege card—to access reduced rates on camping and facility reservations.

Senate Bill 179 standardizes how Ohio courts and correctional facilities identify and support veterans within the justice system. The law mandates that local jails, prisons, and confinement facilities utilize the federal Veterans Reentry Search Service (VRSS) database during booking to verify a prisoner's military history. By catching veteran status early, facilities can better connect individuals with eligible VA benefits and specialized programming to help lower the risk of post-incarceration homelessness. Additionally, the bill clarifies that county Veterans Service Commissions (VSCs) are fully authorized to provide direct financial and operational support to local Veterans Treatment Courts.

Throughout September, the military and veteran community comes together to observe National Suicide Prevention Month, highlighting the vital importance of mental health support, early intervention, and accessible resources.

A central focus of the month falls on Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day on September 22, providing a dedicated opportunity for communities across Montgomery County to reduce stigma, promote peer-to-peer connection, and share safe firearm storage education.

Veterans, family members, and community allies are encouraged to check in on one another and keep critical support numbers close at hand. Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support is always available through the Veterans Crisis Line:

• Call or Text: 988, then press 1
• Text: 838255
• Online Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat

Local veterans can also connect with mental health resources, specialized counseling, and peer support programs directly through the Dayton VA Medical Center by calling (937) 268-6511.