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Help Ohio Vets Movement

Our Mission finally became a Success on July 8,2008
when Governor Ted Strickland created the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, Ohio GI Promise, and Executive Order 2008-17S.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Although our Mission maybe be over. The fight for protecting OIF and OEF Vets continues whether it be here in Ohio or in Washington.

Pictured Pvt Dan Langshaw US Army

Welcome to our website! My name is Dan Langshaw and I am a young United States Army Veteran from North Royalton, Ohio. Unfortunately my service to my country was cut short by a terrible injury and medical problems which made me non-deployable. As a result I was honorably discharged from the United States Army. I was sadly unable to serve in Iraq with the rest of my battle buddies. On Jan 11, 2007 I returned home back home to Ohio to transition back to civilian life and as a Veteran. I never knew what it meant to be a Veteran in Ohio; until I became one just reccently. Its truely upsetting how Veterans are treated especially after the price we pay to serve our country and protect the price of freedom. Like many Veterans I too have had my troubles with the Department of Veteran's Affairs and am on the waiting list to be seen for medical care just like everyone else. The Federal Government is failing to help this country's Veterans; but I am one Veteran who wants to bring about change and attention to the issues. Besides wanting reform in the Department of Veteran's Affairs System; I want to change how the GI Bill fails to pay for a 4 year college degree for our nations soldiers, especially in the state of Ohio.
Please Get Involved and Help Ohio's Vets... Please Contact: Dan Langshaw
Email: [email protected]

What is the Help Ohio Vets Movement?

">Check out our Video to Learn more

What Changes Need to be Made to Help Ohio's Veterans?

Did you know when it comes to state benefits and educational assistance; that Ohio's Active Duty Veterans are completely forgotten? Shockingly the answer is YES, Ohio Active Duty Veterans get little thanks or assistance from the state government. The state of Ohio prefers to help only the Ohio National Guard and not Active Duty Ohio Veterans because its cheaper to them! According to USA Today Ohio has the following legislation which addresses helping its Veterans and Service members: A 2004 law that requires public colleges and private colleges to grant leave to students called to active duty and to either refund or offer credit for tutition paid; Also in 2004 the 25 year old War Orphans Scholarship program was expanded in 2004 to include Iraq War Veteran's Families; and finally the Ohio National Guard state funded tutition assistance which covers 100% college tuition for Ohio National Guard members. As you can see there is nothing in regards to legislation which spefically helps a Active Duty US Military Veteran whom he or she wants to go to College and get a college degree at a state University or College!

This is truely unfair and unequal to the States Active Duty Veterans! What inspired me to lobby for change in the state of Ohio was before I got discharged. I was hospitalized at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. for a full week. It gave me a great opportunity to talk with other fellow soldiers; especially those who were wounded in combat and recieved the Purple Heart. These young men and women paid the ultimate price of losing a limb or more. I was truely amazed how positive and up beat these soldiers were but at the sametime they were worried about the rough transition from military life to civilian life. Almost every single soldier I talked to at Walter Reed said when they get out they are going to college and get a degree. One soldier from Texas said to me that he was set for life because Texas gives a full ride to any all US Miltary Veterans regardless if your Active or National Guard to any public college or university in the state of Texas. After hearing this I began talking to other soldiers and was amazed to learn that other states besides Texas help its Veterans with college like Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, and many more.

So in Feb 2007 I created the "Help Ohio Vets Movement Bill Proposal for Creating New Legislation to Help Ohio US Military Veterans with College Educational Assistance; & Filling the Financial Gaps created by the Federal GI Bill " and sent it to members of the State of Ohio General Assembly and even Governor Ted Strickland. I was amazed at the amount of interest I recieved from the state legislature and Governor. But currently the State legislature is not sure if there is a real need to help Ohio's Veterans and that is why I am asking all veterans, veterans organizations, and people from Ohio to check out my proposed bill to Help Ohio's Veterans and hopefully my proposal and its recommendations into law. Please click on the links below to learn more about my proposal and what you can do to support this worthy cause!! All Ohio Veterans need your support! Please help us!

LINKS

Ohio Department of Veterans Services Website

Help Ohio Vets Movement Bill Proposal to Ohio General Assembly

Recommendations & Reasons For New Legislation

Join the Help Ohio Vets Committee

YouTube Video

Parma, Ohio City Council Resolution No. 275-07 Urging Ohio General Assembly to Support My Bill Proposal

Cleveland, Ohio City Council Resolution No. 1437-07 Urging Ohio General Assembly to Support My Bill Proposal

North Royalton, Ohio City Council Resolution No. 08-37 Urging Ohio General Assembly to Support Help Ohio Vets Movement's Proposal

Statement of Support for Vet Ed Bill Proposal

What Can YOU do to Help?

Funding Sources