ODVS to release video vignettes of Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame class of 2023 inductees
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) is proud to unveil 17 separate videos beginning Dec. 1 and running through the end of January 2024.
The videos will feature personal anecdotes, quotes, and photos of 15 of the living members of the 2023 class, who were inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame on Nov. 9. ODVS conducted a sitdown interview with each of those class members throughout the fall season.
In addition, videos featuring posthumous inductees Charles McGee and Heath Robinson have been produced. (See below for the schedule of releases for the entire series.)
These videos will be viewable on the ODVS YouTube channel as well as the department's official Facebook and Twitter (X) pages.
A list of class members is viewable on our website, OhioVets.gov. To read the official bios of the 2023 class, make sure to check out our Hall of Fame Honorees page and use the available search tool.
ODVS will unveil the Hall of Fame video featurettes in alphabetical order and will debut new spotlights each Tuesday and Thursday in December and January. First up will be the video showcasing Army veteran Darrin Adams. The lone exception to the order will be the video detailing the accomplishments of former Tuskegee Airman McGee, who died last year at 102. His video will be first shown on Dec. 7 in honor of his birthday.
To learn more about the class and see highlights of the individual ceremonies, be sure to view the Ohio Channel's recording of the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony. The program included Governor Mike DeWine and ODVS Director Deborah Ashenhurst presenting official plaques and medals to living members of the class, as well as representatives of two living recipients unable to attend and family representatives of the three posthumous inductees.
If you know a deserving veteran who has contributed greatly to your community after their time in service, please nominate them for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Nominations for the Class of 2024 are being accepted until June 1, 2024.
Release dates for videos of 2023 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Inductees follow:
Darrin M. Adams, Army, Shelby County (Dec. 5)
Charles E. McGee, Army Air Corps/Air Force, Cuyahoga County (Dec. 7)
Michael L. Close, Army, Delaware County (Dec. 12)
Carolyn L. Destefani, Air Force, Greene County (Dec. 14)
Terry Johnson, Air Force, Montgomery County (Dec. 19)
Paul M. Keller, Air Force/Air Force Reserve, Greene County (Dec. 21)
John C. Looker, Army, Warren County (Dec. 26)
Laurel A. Mayer, Air Force, Greene County (Dec. 28)
Timothy E. McMonagle, Army, Cuyahoga County (Jan. 2)
Michael P. Monahan, Army, Clermont County (Jan. 4)
Jack L. Patterson, Army, Coshocton County (Jan. 9)
Heath M. Robinson, Ohio Army National Guard, Fairfield County (Jan. 11)
David L. Scheffler, Army, Fairfield County (Jan. 16)
Donald P. Scott, Army Reserve, Mahoning County (Jan. 18)
Purcell Taylor Jr., Marine Corps, Warren County (Jan. 23)
Bruce K. Thorn, Army, Franklin County (Jan. 25)
Robert A. Walkup, Navy/Army Reserve, Williams County (Jan. 30).
Remember, bios for all 20 class members, additional information on the Hall of Fame and past inductees – able to be sorted by class, by county, and alphabetically – can be found at OhioVets.gov.
More information is available at OhioVets.gov or you can contact the department at HallOfFame@dvs.ohio.gov.