OCSEA Veteran of the Year award announced at annual veterans celebration

About a hundred OCSEA activists gathered for the union's annual celebration of veterans. The OCSEA Veterans Affairs Committee conference was held in Columbus this past Saturday to honor our union member veterans, past and present, offer resources, and to announce the annual Veteran of the Year and Veteran Supporter of the Year Awards.

The OCSEA Larry Cremeens Veteran of the Year Award was presented to Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Chapter 2515 steward Todd Mountain. Todd is a veteran of the U.S. Army and is an active representative with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. Last year the Association raised $24,000 for the Nationwide Children's Hospital Christmas in July event. He also organizes a poker run annually to raise funds for Fisher House, which offers temporary free lodging to service members while their children are hospitalized. Todd was nominated by his chapter president Karl Hildebrand who calls Todd a valuable chapter member and steward who is "ready to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed."

The OCSEA Veterans Supporter of the Year Award was presented to Jennifer Casedy, a Corrections Sergeant at the Ohio State Penitentiary. Jennifer was nominated by her Chapter 5041 President Sam Fero for her involvement in fundraising events for military members, including charities that provide housing assistance to veterans, provide service animals for disabled veterans, and give scholarships to individuals whose parent(s) were killed in active duty. She is actively involved in promoting veterans charities and creating challenges during the annual Combined Charitable Campaign. She is part of a group that sends cards to troops and works with incarcerated adults to send cards as well. She is involved in Christmas in July to send food boxes and more to deployed military members.

See photos from the celebration on OCSEA's Facebook page.