Called to serve: New Veterans Service commissioner sworn in
Trending
Marietta resident Ron Hudson took the oath of office Wednesday as the newest member of the Washington County Veterans Service Commission.
Hudson, who served eight years in the U.S. Navy, was sworn in by Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Kerenyi in his courtroom. He takes over as the representative for the Disabled American Veterans following the resignation of David Fitzgerald, who is moving out of state.
"I've got to learn what everything is," Hudson said after the brief ceremony. "I'm just looking forward to helping the veterans out."
Each of Ohio's 88 counties has a Veterans Service Commission, made up of representatives of different veterans organizations. The board decides on policy and approves the budget for the agency, whose employees assist veterans and their family members with things like filing Veterans Administration compensation claims, addressing military pension issues and getting transportation to VA medical appointments.
Fitzgerald, who retired after 24 years in the U.S. Air Force and 15 as a civilian Department of Defense special operations employee, said his three-and-a-half years on the commission were "awesome."
"I've never seen a community that comes together for veterans more than" this one, he said.
His favorite part was simply spending time with other veterans.
"A lot of them would just come into the office," he said. "They wouldn't want anything. They would just want to vent and talk with another combat vet."
It won't be Hudson's first time assisting veterans. A little over a year ago, he established a branch of the DAV's Veterans Mobility Project through the local chapter 52 in Whipple.
Jim Crawford, a member of the DAV's state executive committee, said the program provides equipment like scooters and walkers to veterans and dependents who need them. Even after it's determined someone needs such a device, bureaucracy and supply issues can cause delays.
"So it can be a week, a month, six months before you get that equipment," Crawford said.
"The main purpose for this is just so that the veteran or dependent can have the quality of life," Hudson said. "Everything is a loaner. There's no cost for it."
The Veterans Mobility Project's main fundraiser, a golf scramble at Oxbow in Belpre, is coming up on Sept. 30. The cost is $320 for a foursome and includes a light breakfast, lunch, team skins and one mulligan per player. People can register by calling Hudson at 740-371-4427.