Vote In Honor of A Veteran

• Read "Vote In Honor Of A Veteran" Testimonials
• View and Request "Vote In Honor Of A Veteran" Materials
• Uniformed and Overseas U.S. Citizen Voting Information
• Submit a Testimonial

Through the years, men and women in our armed forces have made great sacrifices to protect our freedom and democracy. Today, the courageous members of our military branches continue to serve our country so we all can enjoy one of our most sacred rights - the right to vote.

The Office of the Ohio Secretary of State would like to recognize the service of our brave veterans and provide encouragement to our citizens to vote through the Vote In Honor Of A Veteran program.

Anyone who has a family member, friend or neighbor in the armed services understands the unwavering dedication and patriotism of these men and women. Through the Vote In Honor Of A Veteran initiative, you can demonstrate the pride you feel for an individual veteran and, at the same time, encourage others to exercise one of our most sacred rights we have when you go to the polls on Election Day.

By participating in the program and wearing a Vote In Honor Of A Veteran pin on Election Day, you will help raise awareness about the importance of voting and highlight the inextricable bond between our veterans and democracy. Please join our office in encouraging others to take part in the democratic process.

Once your card is complete and sent to our office, the tribute to the individual veteran you are voting in honor of may be posted in the testimonial section of our Web site (the secretary of state's office reserves the right to edit any submission and/or remove any inappropriate language or testimonial). Here you can read your message and messages from others who support our veterans and voting.

You can also help spread the message about honoring our veterans through voting by downloading response card forms or posters from our Web site to get family, friends and neighbors involved in the Vote In Honor Of A Veteran program. If you prefer, you can call our toll-free number 877-SOS-OHIO ext. 5 for Vote In Honor Of A Veteran response cards, posters, or for more information about the project.

Thank you for your interest in promoting both the tireless work of our veterans and democracy in Ohio.

To receive your Vote In Honor Of A Veteran lapel pin fill out an e-Card by clicking on this link.

Office of the Ohio Secretary of State

 Columbia VFW Post #9340 - Call to Action

On Tuesday, July 21, 2009, Debra Rose, President of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce presented Dave Carroll, Post Commander of the Columbia VFW Post#9340 a donation check for $1200. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce was also on hand to congratulate Dave Carroll for earning the Columbia VFW Post #9340 the prestigious honor of being selected for an All State Post Award.. They were one of the five posts out of 400 here in the State of Ohio chosen to represent Ohio at the National Convention held in August.  Dave Carroll was appointed to be the team captain to lead the five chosen posts from Ohio during the All American Awards Ceremony.

The Chamber donated the funds to assist with their Building Improvement Fund.  The VFW Post #9340 has been raising funds to help offset the cost of the installation of their new sanitation system.  During the Columbia Homecoming Festival, the VFW started their fundraising by sponsoring a Beer Garden and “Duct Taping the Commander to the Toilet” event.  All of this fundraising will help to replace the septic system that has been in place since the building was established.

Dave shared that when you go to war, you develop a strong bond to fellow service members. After returning home you want to connect with people that may have had a similar experience that you had. Dave Carroll explained that after WWII, a group of Columbia veterans joined together to organize and incorporate as a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.  Twenty five Columbia residents joined together to continue serving their country, community, to remember the sacrifices of those that did not return and most importantly to help fellow veterans. They held fundraisers to purchase the current property on Royalton Road. They worked hard to construct the post home and provided the labor to get it built. It took over five years to do this. When you look at the post today you realize what an amazing accomplishment it was. We need to remember these were the same people that went ashore at Normandy, Iwo Jima and survived five years in the fields of battle all over the world. To them, things that seemed impossible would take just a little longer.

May 4th 1947 the VFW was built by local veterans and named the Edward P. Madak Post #9340. Once their charter was issued, their mission has not changed.  Duty, Honor and Service is their motto.  

Since 2003, they have built a Veterans Memorial and donated over $130,000.00 to various community charitable causes. Their generosity has been felt by many organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, School Groups, 4-H clubs, Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Miss Liberty Queens. They have also hosted and assisted with fundraisers for individuals and families in our community.  These things were possible only because of the participation and support of the community.

Now, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce hopes that you will follow in its lead to support the VFW.  Today's economic conditions are putting a strain on The VFW's financial capabilities. It is our hopes that the community will give back to the organization that has given so much to our veterans, citizens, businesses, schools and organizations.  All checks are to be made payable to: VFW Post #9340 and can be sent to:  VFW POST #9340, P.O. Box 951, Columbia Station, OH, 44028.  Thank you for your continued support.