This past weekend, members gathered at the Mohican State Park Lodge in Perrysville, Ohio, for the annual OCSEA Veterans Committee Conference. It was the most highly-attended Veterans Conference in OCSEA’s history, with many new and familiar faces joining in to honor OCSEA’s veterans as well as veterans everywhere. This year’s conference theme was “The Legacy of Service: Honoring Veterans through Unity & Sacrifice.”
The day kicked off with a welcome from Veterans Committee chair Doug Korba (Navy), followed by the Presentation of Colors by the DRC Honor Guard. Veterans Committee member Eric Kusky (Air Force) then conducted the Missing Man Ceremony, which is meant to remind viewers of those fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. Military service members.
The first guest speaker of the day, Matt Miller, Mayor of Ashland, Ohio, who gave a warm welcome to attendees and posed a question to the crowd: “What can we learn from our veterans?” Miller said, “We must focus on what unites us, not divides us. Let’s focus on what’s important to all of us, not the little details that make us different,” noting that these are important skills service members learn to protect and serve each other.
Then, President Chris Mabe (Army) addressed attendees. Mabe thanked everyone for joining and reminded members of the importance of the upcoming 2026 election. “We as state workers have a unique ability to choose our boss,” he said. “We have seen how society folds without the servicess of public employees. The government shutdown showed us how important our work is,” said Mabe. “People have the right to freedom of speech, different opinions, to live and love. Many of us veterans have been to other countries and have seen the trials and tribulations when these freedoms aren’t there,” he said.
The next speaker of the day was Lucas Denney, Assistant Director at the Dept. of Veteran Services. Denney spoke about the Ohio Veterans Homes, praising the people who work there, including our brothers and sisters of OCSEA. “If you go there, you can feel it; it’s special,” said Denney. “But our mission does not stop at the homes. We have a special team that provides training on veteran employee resources. Far too often, our vets are underemployed. That’s something we’re working on,” he said. Denney informed attendees of a poster featuring a list of statewide resources for veterans that can be displayed at the workplace. Click HERE to download the poster.
The final two speakers were David Long, a retired U.S. Army Chaplain, and Roy Campbell Jr., former VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) District 5 Commander. Chaplain Long, who also lead the conference in a prayer earlier that morning, spoke about his experience in the U.S. Army, telling stories both humorous and somber about his time of service. Campbell Jr. urged veterans to become members of the VFW, citing the important role the VFW plays in local communities. He said that VFW membership is dwindling as we lose older veterans. “We have to work together to honor veterans that have passed,” said Campbell.
Finally, the day closed out with the announcement of the OCSEA Veterans Awards given to two very worthy candidates.
The Larry Cremeens Veteran of the Year was awarded to Carrington Melton (Army), an activist with ODJFS Chapter 2599. Melton served in the U.S. Army for 16 years, with two deployments (Desert Storm & Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and he volunteers with several veteran organizations including the VFW, American Legion, DAV (Disabled American Vets) and more. He was nominated by coworker Melissa Golphin, who said, “Carrington’s commitment in the veteran community defines the word service!” Melton said, “My mission is with veterans and veterans’ families until the day the good Lord takes me. So that’s what I focus on; that’s all I do. If they took community service away today, I don’t know where I’d be.”
This year’s Veteran Supporter of the Year was awarded to Tyler Evans, Vice President of Ohio State Penitentiary Chapter 5041. Evans was nominated by his chapter president, Stephanie Behnke. Benkhe said, “Tyler Evans, an 8-year Correction Officer at OSP, has turned a personal tragedy into an annual event to help veterans who are struggling and in crisis. In 2020, Tyler’s best friend, Justin R. House, a Sr. Airman firefighter in the U.S. Air Force, succumbed to the pressures of his duties and personal issues by ending his own life. Tyler channeled his grief into creating an annual fundraiser honoring Justin’s life and legacy. The Justin R. House Annual Softball Tournament brings awareness and raises funds to stop veteran suicides. His efforts have raised over $50,000 thus far.”
Watch the video highlights of the event HERE, plus, see the full photo gallery HERE.