Director's Viewpoint

Remembering Soldier 42 years later

Beallsville is a beautiful small town where most people know one another, friendly acknowledgments are common as people pass on the sidewalks and one building still accommodates all students from K through grade 12. In some ways time has stood still in a community that looks like ours did not so long ago before interstate highways, ongoing development and progress as we know it. ..." READ MORE

Patriots out of Uniform

Patriotism and military personnel in uniform obviously go hand and hand. Those that serve our country in uniform are part of a unique group of individuals that share a special bond whether it be a WWII veteran or Afghanistan/Iraq veteran.

For that matter all men and women in uniform including police and firefighters are patriots by the very oath they are sworn to obey on behalf of their country and communities. Their contributions and sacrifice are critical to the well being of our country that in turn makes it possible for the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms and liberties only available in America. (Read More)

Perception is often reality

"...The soldier turns on the TV and a program called the View is about to begin. After a few minutes it’s obvious the content of the program is frivolous and more about pop culture than anything of real substance. At this point he begins to tune it out and all of a sudden President Obama appears on the program as a special guest and the disappointment begins. ..." READ MORE

Korean War veterans are heroes, too

"It was the summer of 1959. I was 11 years old when my Mom, Dad, two brothers, one sister and I piled into the old family car and went to the Starlight Drive-in Movie. I vividly remember sitting out under the stars and watching a war movie called "Pork Chop Hill" that captured my full attention while scaring the bejeebers out of me...." READ MORE HERE

It's time to have some 'plain talk'

"Let’s have some “plain talk” as opposed to the doubletalk that is rammed down our throats by many national and state politicians. Much of what they say is self-serving, vote begging theater that feeds the slow death grip that is around the neck of everyday citizens. ..." MORE HERE

Ohio forfeits $525,000 for disabled veterans

"A state program intended to help disabled veterans re-enter the work force saw its funding slashed by more than $500,000 because state officials fell short of a federal requirement to hire and retain vocational counselors. ..." READ MORE

Those in office should be held to high standards

"...Recently Connecticut’s Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has been in the national news trying to use his vast communication skills and political pedigree to somehow explain away a bold face lie. Mr. Blumenthal is running for Senate and over the past several years has on numerous occasions talked about his service to our country while in uniform and in particular his time of service in Vietnam.

Now all of that is great but there is one serious problem. ..." READ MORE

Patriotism, veterans shine Memorial Day

I participated in one of the many annual Memorial Day parades that took place throughout Clermont County. This particular parade took place in Batavia and was hosted by American Legion Post 237. Assistance was provided by VFW Post 3954, DAV Chapter 63 and the Clermont County Veteran Service Commission. The parade was small in numbers but very large with emotion and patriotism that was heartfelt by all. READ MORE

Leaders need to find their backbone

"The sign "The Buck Stops Here" was on President Truman's desk in his White House office. On numerous occasions Truman referred to the sign during his public statements. In his farewell address to the American people in January 1954, Truman referred to this concept very specifically: "The president, whoever he is has to decide. He can't pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That's his job." Without question, this not only pertains to a president of the United States but to everyone in senior leadership. ..." READ MORE

Blumenthal needs to step aside

..."It's a very sad day in America when those who hold high office feel they can abuse the freedoms and liberties that make our country great. Remember, these are the individuals we elect to do the right thing based on our laws and constitution. How many more politicians (Republicans and Democrats alike) are going to use the argument that "it depends on what is is"?... READ MORE

VA has claimed a backlog since 40s

"President George Washington once said, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”..."

READ MORE

Do our veterans really have any political clout?

"Ohio has approximately 970,000 veterans and Clermont County has about 16,000 veterans. Out of the national total approximately 3 million are card carrying members of a veteran organization such as the American Legion, VFW and the DAV. Of the 3 million, maybe 10 percent are actually active within those veteran organizations. ..." READ MORE

Politicians don’t really push for veterans issues

"...Our veterans have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities with dignity and honor and, anything less from our government is wrong and cannot be tolerated. ..." READ MORE

God works in mysterious ways

"We have all experienced situations in life that come full circle and I believe some of those situations are clearly Gods work. I would like to share one such life changing experience that came full circle and without my control. .." READ MORE

Memorial Day, Mother's Day, and the 9 year old

Memorial Day, Mothers According to a recent Gallup Poll only 28 percent of Americans know the true meaning behind Memorial Day.

Each war has taken many loved ones but it seems we have become calloused to those personal sacrifices that will impact a family for the rest of their lives. I can only assume this occurs because current wars only touch a small portion of our society. READ MORE

35th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War

This past Friday, April 30, 2010 marked the 35th anniversary of the Communist victory of the Vietnam War.

In my opinion, our military men and women did not lose the war but were actually prevented from winning by our own politicians, the media and many United States citizens and protesters that did not have the stomach for war.

If you ever wondered why many Vietnam veterans struggled when returning home, try wearing the tag of “loser” for the rest of your life knowing full well it was totally out of your hands.

Imagine how difficult it was for those family members that lost a loved one during the war and later hearing the hurtful comments from many fellow citizens throughout the country for which they had made the ultimate sacrifice. I can’t change history but I would like to offer some myth-busting facts and statistics about the Vietnam Veteran. READ MORE

Bullies Come In Many Shapes and Sizes

Director Dan Bare comments on Education Standards

May 03, 2010 Clermont Sun Article Click Here

Time to Wake the Sleeping Giant

Calling All Veterans!

Danny Bare addresses VA Backlog CLICK HERE

View the video interview with Kathy Lehr  CLICK HERE

HIRE A VETERAN

ATTENTION EMPLOYERS

Clermont County is one of the most patriotic communities in the United States for which we are all very proud. Our county has approximately 16,000 veterans from WWII to our present wars with Iraq and Afghanistan. Our community is doing an outstanding job of warmly welcoming home our warriors but when the parades stop and the daily routine and responsibilities of civilian life begin those same veterans need and deserve continued support and consideration. This is where I would ask all employers to consider making the extra effort to hire a veteran. The reported unemployment rate for the United States is somewhere in the range of 10%. Statistics indicate unemployment among the youngest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, those ages 20-24 are in the 15% range. In my judgment this adds insult to injury when considering many of these young men and women have put their lives on hold while defending our freedoms. This is best summarized by the old saying of "give a hand up not a hand out".

Yes, some of these veterans will require training and some reasonable level of patience but we should also remember the amount of time and effort they have already given to serve our country and in many cases under very hostile and dangerous conditions. Surely we can offer those same veterans the opportunity to help rebuild their lives. This would serve as a long term thank you for their service and be a true act of patriotism at the home front. As importantly, finding a job would help veterans establish a much needed sense of self worth and personal growth they richly deserve.

Iraq and Afghanistan veterans enter the workforce at a disadvantage, says Justin Brown, a Veteran of Foreign Wars specialist in veterans’ economic issues. "If you served in the military, you’re disconnected from the civilian workforce, you don’t have contacts that a civilian person may have," he says.

Your organization depends on reliable, resilient human capital. Veterans of America’s armed forces have the skills, training, and character to meet your toughest challenges for today and tomorrow. That’s why hiring veterans is not just goodwill, it’s just good business. I would like to offer some good reasons to hire a veteran.

1. Accelerated learning curve

2. Security Clearances

3. Ability to work as a team member and team leader

4. Ability to get along with and work with all types of people

5. Efficient performance under pressure

6. Respect for procedures

7. Technology and globalization

8. Integrity

9. Conscious of health and safety standards

10. Triumph over adversity

11. Drug Free

12. Systematic Planning and Organization

13. Ability to conform to rules and structure

14. Flexibility and Adaptability

15. Self-Direction

16. Educated

17. Initiative

18. Work Habits

19. Standards of Quality and Commitment to Excellence

20. Global Outlook

21. Client and Service-Oriented

22. Concerned About the Community and Family Environment

During World War II our country pulled together to protect our freedoms since most citizens were impacted by a family member serving in the war. After the war our country continued to work together and prospered greatly. That generation is now referred to as the greatest generation. On the other hand during the 60’s and 70’s our country became split for many reasons and in particular because of the Vietnam War. The split, through no fault of those brave men and women that served in the United States Armed Forces, created an

unstable and negative situation for many Vietnam veterans as they returned to civilian life. This was in the face of over 58,000 hero’s that made the ultimate sacrifice. With that said, and with history being the best teacher, we have another great opportunity to positively contribute to the very fiber that makes our country great by taking real action towards employment opportunities for our military veterans. To put this into perspective, the creed of the Vietnam Veterans of America is "Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another".

Although our economy is presently at a very low point and hiring is minimal it may actually be a good time to take a close look at your future hiring policies. When the economy begins to turn around I would sincerely ask that you be positioned to include the recruitment and hiring of our brave military veterans within your business culture. Another way of looking at the situation is since our country is blessed to be protected by an all volunteer military, it only makes since we the citizens should also take the same pro-active stance when those men and women return to civilian life.