COLUMBUS, Ohio — Hundreds of people gathered at the Fawcett Center at Ohio State University to honor and recognize 20 veterans for their service on Tuesday.

What You Need To Know

  • During the event, Gov. Mike DeWine said he hopes to make Ohio more veteran friendly

  • All of the inductees were nominated from members of their community for making a difference in major fields 
  • One of the newest members in the Hall of Fame is Alan Bailey

All of the inductees were nominated from members of their community for making a difference in major fields such as technology, health care, the nonprofit sector and more.

“They didn't stop serving the military; they just kept going on and serving and doing great things,” said Deborah Ashenhurst, the director of Ohio Veterans Services. “I mean, it's nice to recognize them at the local level all the way up to those who have made a difference in the entire world like that one scientist we recognize today. I mean, to realize that veterans don't stop serving when they take off the uniform.”

Gov. Mike DeWine was in attendance and thanked all veterans for their service along with promising to make Ohio more veteran friendly.The state has already implemented policies to make it easier for vets and their families to transition to civilian life.

“You know, the spouse who might be a doctor, who might be a nurse, who might have some other might be an educator,” said DeWine. “You know, it took a long, long time for them to be able to get certified in the state of Ohio, so we have cut that down, but we have even more work to do in that area.”

One of the newest members in the hall of fame is Alan Bailey. Bailey served as a U.S. Army veteran and is a resident of Clark County. He served in Vietnam but continued his service at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s aeronautical system division.

He assisted in creating an advanced ejection system that has helped save over seven hundred pilots. In his retirement, he serves as the president and director for honor flight Dayton, which has allowed him to take over 11,000 veterans to D.C. to see the national memorials.

“It changes them forever along with their families,” said Bailey. “Especially Vietnam vets, they are now able to talk about what they did during their service, and we strongly encourage them to say, you're not going to let their kids not read about this in textbooks. So you have to tell them now while you have that opportunity.”

Entering the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame at 76, Bailey said that when you enjoy helping others, a smile is all the thanks you need.

“Thinking back over their career and all the time I spent, it wasn't for any recognition, but what they get, it means that people recognize and are thanking us,” said Bailey. “I appreciate it. I really appreciate it."

The plaque with all of the 2022 veteran Hall of Fame inductee names will be on display in the Statehouse. If you know a veteran that has made an impact in their community, you can click here to submit their name for the 2023 class.