State Senator Bill Beagle of Ohio District 5 addressed veterans at the Miami Valley Veterans Museum in Troy on February 3 at 9:00 a.m. The event was part of a monthly meeting for local veterans where various topics are discussed over coffee and donuts. This was the first time Senator Beagle has had the opportunity to speak with former service men and women in this forum.
Beagle began his political career as a member of the Tipp City Council, where he served as council president overseeing the construction of a new water plant and local economic development. He is now in his second term in the Ohio Senate, representing all or part of Darke, Miami, Montgomery and Preble Counties. Because he serves as the Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Workforce and the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board, he specifically addressed the veterans gathered at the Miami Valley Veterans Museum on issues concerning job placement and hiring for service men and women. Other talking points included higher education, counseling, behavioral health and access to healthcare. A group of 50 participated in the event and had opportunities to comment and ask questions of the senator.
“There are unique needs to veterans returning from the service and we want to ensure their success,” Beagle said. He went on to highlight Ohio organizations like the Development Services Agency that actively promotes veteran-owned businesses. He further discussed tools like OhioMeansJobs.com that specifically caters to employers who want to hire veterans.
According to Mitch Fogle, the executive director of the Miami Valley Veterans Museum, many of the gathered veterans were hearing for the first time about the resources Beagle presented. “He’s answered questions for veterans in the past and he’s been really good about helping them get answers on a higher level,” Fogle said. Some of the questions posed concerning health care and benefits were not easily answered on the floor of the meeting room. A young veteran, Bill Elliott, has been in a wheelchair following his tour of duty and continues to pursue government help to make his two-story home wheelchair accessible. Beagle and his aids were taking notes.
“Veterans are an engaged group and they express a lot of frustration with things going on with the VA and benefits on the federal level,” Beagle said. “It’s my goal to assist wherever I can and make sure they know that their state cares and is ready to fight for them.” His two primary motivations in addressing veterans at the MVVM was to introduce them to resources they may not have known existed and to give them an opportunity to discuss issues. “Sometimes there is already an answer and they just don’t know about it yet,” Beagle said. “So then the challenge is to find ways to get connected and stay accessible so they don’t feel isolated.” Despite the challenges raised in discussion, veterans departing the event expressed various levels of gratitude and satisfaction. Fogle and other organizers behind the meeting were encouraged by the turnout and response by Beagle and attendees.
The Miami Valley Veterans Museum offers social time featuring coffee and donuts on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The Museum is located above Home Comfort Gallery.
Left to Right Beagle, Veteran Donny Meeks, Museum Curator Mitch Fogle
