Heritage Trail Story Walk “Veterans Stories”
We Need Local Veteran Stories
The Hancock County Veterans Service Office is collecting nominations for new story boards on the Heritage Trail Story Walk. The Heritage Trail Story Walk is a collaboration between our office, the Hancock Historical Museum and The Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation. It tells the stories of veterans from Hancock County who made a significant contribution to one of many conflicts around the world. These boards are featured along the Heritage Trail.
The Trail begins at Litzenberg Memorial Woods on the county’s west side and ends at Van Horn Cemetery on the county’s east side. It connects parks, historic sites, and landmarks with over 20 miles of pavement, grass and dirt. Storyboards were installed at various points along the trail to highlight the contributions from Hancock County Veterans during various wars and conflicts.
In the fall of 2023, the story boards for the War of 1812, Civil War, World War I and World War II were created. Now, we are ready to continue with the The Korean War, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), Global War on Terrorism (Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom). One veteran’s story from each of the four conflicts will be selected by a panel to be featured on the appropriate one of our next four Heritage Trail Story Walk boards.
We want to celebrate Our Veterans, Our Stories by recognizing the contributions of Hancock County Veterans around the world. Nominations are being accepted now through September 5th. Nominations should include a Photo, discharge paperwork, a written submission outlining the involvement of the veteran in one of the conflicts mentioned above, any documents including newspaper articles, etc that validate the information provided. This information can be mailed to our office at 1100 E. Main Cross St. Suite 123 Findlay, OH 45840.
This project has been fully funded thanks to a grant from The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all in the community. Established in 1992 as a result of an estate gift from L. Dale Dorney, The Community Foundation has granted more than $75 million to fund projects to support our community. Visit community-foundation.com or call (419) 425-1100 to learn more about how the Foundation is making a lasting community impact.
Who is eligible?
The veteran nominee must meet the following criteria:
- Must have served during a wartime period
- Must be a current Hancock County, Ohio resident – Or from Hancock County at time of entry into service (whether volunteer or drafted)
- Must have received an honorable discharge for their service
- Been in a support role (i.e. Rosie the Riveter)
Definition of Veteran
The definition of veteran, Ohio Revised Code 5903.01 – Veteran means any person who completed service in the armed forces, including the national guard of any state, or a reserve component of the armed forces, who has been discharged under honorable conditions from the armed forces or who has been transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.
Nomination package must include:
You can either complete the electronic nomination form below and wait until we contact you to provide discharge paperwork and photos or you may bring all the below requested information to our office. THE ELECTRONIC NOMINATION FORM IS NOT PRINTABLE.
- Nomination Form Below – With Photo (if obtainable) and written submission.
- Discharge paperwork (or confirm that the Hancock County Veterans Service Office has veteran’s DD214 on file)
- Any additional documents, newspaper clippings, etc. to validate information shared in the package
Submit nomination packages to the Hancock County Veterans Service Office at the below address.
DEADLINE: September 5, 2024
Hancock County Veterans Service Office
1100 E Main Cross St, Suite 123
Findlay OH 45840
Or via email at Veterans@co.hancock.oh.us