Senator Sherrod Brown

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate to honor the service of all Ohio veterans and the new inductees into the Ohio Veterans’ Hall of Fame Class of 2008. His remarks, as prepared, are included below:

“Ohio is home to more than one million veterans – dedicated men and women who have served in every branch of our nation's armed forces and in every major conflict in the modern era. They served to keep our freedoms and our nation remains secure.

“Ohioans have a longstanding tradition of service to our country. Ohio’s veterans include presidents and generals from Grant to Sherman and pioneers of American advancement such as Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and James Lovell. 

“But for every well known veteran, there are many more heroes who have quietly served Ohio and the United States with honor and distinction. 

“As our nation looks forward to the return of our loved ones from the battlefield, all of us remember the tremendous contributions our veterans have made to Ohio and the country. We are humbled by your patriotism and your bravery.
 
“On Veterans Day and every day, it is my honor to thank Ohio veterans – and their families – for their service to our state and to our nation.

“The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was created in 1992 to recognize the lifetime contributions of veterans. Your pride is well-earned; your dedication is to be honored. I congratulate and salute all of you.

Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2008

SAMUEL ARNOLD
Butler County - United States Army Veteran – Vietnam War Arnold is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4369’s board of trustees and provides dentistry to veterans who reside at Joseph House at little to no cost.

PAUL E. BALDRIDGE, JR.
Franklin County - United States Navy Veteran – Baldridge has served in a number of veterans’ organizations including the Navy League of the United States where he has held positions as State President, National Director, and Vice President.

OSCAR C. DECKER, JR.
Union County - United States Army Veteran/Army National Guard and Army Reserve - World War II and Vietnam War Decker organized the Union County Military Family Support Group in 2003 and was awarded the Legion of Honor Award from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, and the American Legion of Merit.

REBECCA P. EDEN, RN, BSN
Cuyahoga County - United States Army Nurse Corps Veteran – World War II Eden is a lifetime member of Gold Star Wives and AMVETS. She was presented with the Veterans Affairs Commendation given by the Ohio Veterans Commission for helping veterans pursue educational goals in 1982.

EUGENE F. FITZTHUM
Erie County - United States Army Veteran – World War II Fitzthum was presented the John L. Smith “AMVET of the Year” Award for all of his volunteer work for AMVETS Post 17 in 2008 and “Volunteer of the Year” from the Ohio Veterans Home in 2006.

NADA R. FLEMING, RN
Cuyahoga County - United States Navy Veteran - Desert Shield/Desert Storm Fleming is a Past Commander of Seven Hills VFW Post 7609 and was appointed as “National VFW Nurse of the Year” for 2006-2007.

ROBERT D. HAAS
Stark County - United States Army Veteran - Korean War Haas has served as the Volunteer Liaison Officer for the United States Military Academy, West Point for the past 29 years, and is a founding member and past Chapter President of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association #69.

DALE M. HUFFMAN
Montgomery County - United States Army Veteran Huffman’s public broadcasting skills have helped to energize veteran advocacy and he was inducted into Dayton’s Walk of Fame on September 25, 2008.

CHARLES IANNI
Cuyahoga County - United States Army Veteran - World War II Ianni was named “Veteran of the Year” by Cuyahoga County and was charter member of the John Towle Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Special Forces Chapter.

JAMES A. JOHNSON
Franklin County - United States Air Force Veteran Johnson was awarded the A.F.C.R.C. Certificate of Recognition for his contribution, support, and distinguished service to his community, especially in the area of veteran’s affairs in 2007.

JACK M. KENNEDY
Franklin County - United States Navy Veteran - Vietnam War Kennedy has served in the Navy League of the United States where he held various positions, including Navy League Council President. He is a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America.

MARGARET I. KRUCKEMEYER, RN, MSN
Greene County - United States Army Veteran – Vietnam Era Kruckemeyer is the President of the American Veterans Heritage Commission and is a past National Board Member on the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs Foundation.

SAMUEL E. LANZA
Trumbull County - United States Marine Corps Veteran - World War II Lanza was appointed to the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission in 1997 and is a past State Commander for the Disabled American Veterans.

GREGORY S. LASHUTKA
Franklin County – United States Navy – Lashutka is the former Mayor of the City of Columbus and was selected as Municipal Leader of the Year in 1993 by the American City and County Magazine. He has maintained continuous membership in the Columbus Chapter of the Navy League and has provided support, counsel and advice to individual veterans and veterans groups.

ERWIN L. MORSE
Clark County – United States Air Force – Morse retired from the United States Air Force and went to work at the Dayton Veterans’ Administration Medical Center. He is the founder of the Honor Flight Network, which raises funds and collaborates with a number of organizations to provide an opportunity of our Nation’s WWII and terminally ill veterans from around the country to experience the National WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.

STANLEY C. PACE
Cuyahoga County - United States Air Force Veteran - World War II Pace has been active in the Boy Scouts of America since 1958 and was awarded the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope for his services. He is also active in the United Way of Cleveland and served as Chairman of the Annual United Way Fund Drive.

ELVA M. POUNDERS
Summit County - United States Marine Corps Veteran – Vietnam Era Pounders is the vice chairperson for the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and was awarded the 500 Hour Award for her volunteer efforts at Brecksville VA Medical Center in 2006.

TONY J. SUSTARSIC
Cuyahoga County - United States Army Veteran - World War II Sustarsic is the founder, past president and lifetime member of Euclid Veterans Club. He is also a fundraiser for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1056 and American Legion Post 343.

WILLIAM H. WILLOUGHBY, Jr.
Lake County - United States Army Veteran - Vietnam War Willoughby is a United States Military Academy admissions coordinator and serves on the Veteran Issues Committee.

HERMAN ZERGER
Monroe County- United States Army Veteran - World War II Service and a Prisoner of War Zerger was one of the founding charter members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5303 where he served as Trustee for 40 years. He is an active participant in Ohio Chapter #1 American Ex-Prisoner of War.

 “As a member of the Senate Veterans Committee, it has been my privilege to hear from Ohio veterans across the state about what matters most to you. Those discussions - with veterans at roundtables and hearings in Ohio - reinforced my profound respect for our veterans.

“It is our duty as members of Congress to do all we can to provide the services you all have earned and deserve. I look forward to working with you - and your families - in the coming year to ensure that Ohio veterans’ voices are heard in Washington.”