Vets’ ID card program has lots of benefits

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Last week was the beginning of a new Van Wert County veterans’ ID card program. The new program is the result of a partnership between County Veterans Service Officer Barry Johns and County Recorder Kim Hughes.

The ID card program, which is currently available in a number of counties in Ohio, came about as a result of seminars on providing services to area veterans that Johns and his board members attended. The partnership between the Veterans Service and Recorder’s offices is a natural one, both Hughes and Johns say, since the former agency provides services for veterans and the Recorder’s Office keeps copies of veterans’ discharge documents, including DD214 forms veterans need to receive a number of Veterans Administration benefits.

In addition to being another form of photo identification, Johns said the ID card program can also be a source of pride for veterans and a way to easily show they were in the military.

“A lot of veterans don’t have any type of (military) ID card,” Johns said, adding that toting around a DD214 is not very practical.

As part of the process, Johns reviews a veteran’s DD214 to see if they qualify for any VA benefits, while veterans who haven’t filed their DD214s with the Recorder’s Office need to do so before receiving a veteran’s ID card.

“It’s just to their advantage that they record their DD214s for safekeeping,” Hughes said, noting that the document is an important first step in receiving just about any veterans’ benefit.

Johns adds that receiving a DD214 review is also a positive, since veterans are often unaware of benefits they are entitled to through the VA.

“In looking at their DD214, we can see whether they’re Vietnam vets, whether they’re disabled or whether they have a Purple Heart, for example,” the Veterans Service officer said, adding that Vietnam veterans, disabled vets and those with Purple Heart medals are likely eligible for VA benefits.

Since an initial story on the ID card a month ago, Hughes and Johns said a number of veterans, many of them older vets, have called to set up an appointment or come in to file their DD214s with the Recorder’s Office.

Although the military recommends that veterans file their DD214s after they are discharged, Hughes said she’s now seeing older veterans – even World War II veterans – who have never filed their discharge papers come in to do so.

In addition to having their DD214s on file, there is also an added benefit to having a county military ID card. A number of local businesses have agreed to provide discounts to veterans who show their new county ID card.

Businesses currently enrolled in the program include Angela’s Grooming and Doggie Spa, Becky’s Village Restaurant in Willshire, Black Angus Catering, Black Swamp Bistro, Crescent Laundry, Dilly Door, Greve Chrysler, Hall’s Custom Cut Meats, Hickory Sticks Golf Club, Jackie’s Furry Friends Pet Grooming, Dr. Kevin Laing DDS, Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service, Lee’s Ace Hardware, Lloyd’s Auto Service, Mi Ranchito restaurant, Dr. Roger Okuley DDS, Olympic Lanes, Once I Was, O’Reilly Auto Parts, P&R Medical Connection, Peebles, Quick Change Oil & Lube, Secret Garden in Convoy, Rainey Chiropractic, Remedy Sports Bar & Grille, Scott Variety Store, Simply Irresistible, Sophisti-Cut Styling Salon, The Tavern in Convoy, Van Wert Massotherapy, Van Wert Memorials, Wilkinson’s Printing and Willshire Home Furnishings.

Discounts range from stated dollar amounts to from 5-15 percent off services or merchandise.

The process to receive the ID card is simple. Veterans need to call the Veterans Service Office at 419.238.9592 to set up an appointment to see Johns. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Appointments are currently being set up for Monday and Friday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.