Latest news with #Schwartfigure
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seniors entering military get community support
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Numerous long-time military members came to Edgewood High School Thursday evening to give graduating seniors entering the military a better send off than they received at the annual Rite of Passage Ceremony. Rev. Fred Grimm said he believes it is important to support the students entering the military. 'When I graduated in '66 they said goodbye and keep your head down,' he said with a laugh. He said it is important to let these seniors know they are appreciated. Grimm spent many years in two different branches of the military, and has long supported veterans causes while serving as a Lutheran pastor. Bruce Hook, of Geneva, said he, too, thinks it is important to support the young men and women willing to serve their country. 'I went in 1978 and we just turned all-volunteer [military] and everyone thought we were losers,' he said. He said he wanted to serve, but was scared when he was dropped off to start his life in the military. 'My parents had to work so my sister took me,' he said. Hook said he spent two and a half years active duty U.S. Air Force and 20.5 years in the reserves. The Rite of Passage Ceremony was started by Ben Schwartfigure, executive director of the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission, with the assistance of a variety of veterans organizations. Schwartfigure said he believes it is important to let the high school seniors know the community appreciates them serving their country. The event also introduces them to the services offered by the VSC. 'When they get out of the military in four years, 20 years or 30 years, they need to go to their county and sign up for benefits,' Schwartfigure said. He said it is important for them to know the benefits that will be available to them for the rest of their lives. Pymatuning Valley High School Principal Mark Mollohan said he believes the ceremony is very important, because students going to the military often get lost in the spring celebrations of athletes, academic achievement and college choices. 'Last year, we had one enlisting in the Army, this year we have two, one in the Army and one in the Marines,' he said. Schwartfigure opened the ceremony, and Edgewood High School Principal Mike Notar thanked the students for their service. 'We stand behind you as you make the bold step,' he said. William Runyan, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was the keynote speaker for the event. 'Thank you all of you in the front row [where the soon-to-be graduates were seated] who have made a commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces,' he said. The students honored as they enter the U.S. Army were were Makayla Spaid of Edgewood High School, Alexander Battaglioli, A-Tech from Jefferson, and Landen Coder, of Pymatuning Valley High School. Aiden Farr, of Edgewood High School, Nicholas Hezebicks, of Jefferson High School, and Timothy Frabotta, of A-Tech from Geneva, are entering the U.S. Army Reserves. The U.S. Army National Guard has three Edgewood High School seniors: Brayden Vatananonh, Aidan Burch and Chris Skwera. Three county seniors, Daniel Hutchins, of Saint John School, Jerrod Addair Jr., of Lakeside High School, and Damon Brainard, of Pymatuning Valley High School, are enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. The final three students that were honored were Jayden Dragon, of Edgewood, entering the U.S. Air Force, and Jaiden Ralston, of Conneaut High School, and and Colin Cantrell, of A-Tech from Geneva, joining the U.S. Navy.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veterans Service Commission hosts ribbon-cutting for new office
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — A new office for the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission was celebrated Friday morning, as more than 175 people attended a ribbon cutting at the renovated building. Ashtabula County VSC Executive Director Ben Schwartfigure's multiple year push for a new facility ended with the November opening of the facility, located along Route 20, but the celebration was saved until spring. Veterans, business leaders, politicians and other community leaders attended the ceremony. Schwartfigure said he began discussing the idea of a new facility within the first 45 days as executive director, and is thankful for the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners' willingness to walk through the process with him. Ashtabula County Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said Schwartfigure worked well throughout the whole project, making sure he did the legwork for change orders. VSC Board Member Rick Arndt said Schwartfigure went well above the call of duty to make sure the building was found, renovated properly and funded adequately. 'He kept us focused on the need,' Arndt said. He said Schwartfigure also monitored every part of the renovation efforts while still making sure area veterans received services as well. Fellow board member Ed Somppi also gave credit to Schwartfigure. 'He is, in my mind, the best director in the state,' he said. Schwartfigure gave credit to Onyx Creative and Declan Construction, which made the project a reality. Former VSC Executive Director and current Board Member Anna Allshouse, who worked for the commission for 30 years, provided a history of the organization. She said the commission was born in 1886, when the state legislature attempted to help veterans recover from their experiences in the Civil War. While the organization was funded through mandated local millage, it expanded to a five member board structure that represents a wide variety of veterans organizations. Sean McCarthy, assistant director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, was the keynote speaker at the event. McCarthy said Ohio has done a good job of taking care of veterans, and he intends to continue that tradition. He said Ohio veterans are our neighbors, co-workers and coaches, and fill many important roles in society. Many veterans attended the event, including one from World War II and the Korean conflict. Many attended with friends and family. The Ashtabula County Young Marines posted the colors, and Thomas Lucas Jr. sang the National Anthem to start off the ceremony. Food was provided for those in attendance, and a tour of the facility was provided. Schwartfigure said two new employees have been hired to assist veterans with financial issues. He said the building will also be used for a variety of educational events in the future, and is open for use by veterans groups that do not have their own facilities. 'We will be more visible in the community,' Schwartfigure said.
