Portage County Veterans Service Office

10/10/2026

Veterans from Portage County were able to tour the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus on Friday, October 9. This is a three story masterpiece that inspires and allows reflection. Our veterans were also grateful for a paid lunch from either Chick Fil A, Subway, or Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace.

The Portage County Veterans Service Commission takes this annual trip on the second Friday in October every year. Only 12 spots available. Be on the lookout next year if you were unable to attend this year!

10/09/2026

Remember we are closed for Columbus Day, Monday 10/12/26
Resume regular business hours on Tuesday 10/13/26 at 8:00 am

09/26/2026

Beautiful weather for the Balloon A-Fair! Come see us downtown right across from Ravenna City Hall.

09/25/2026

A truly memorable evening in Rootstown tonight at the Celebrate Portage awards dinner.

Tonight for the first time in the history of Celebrate Portage, a heroic group of individuals were celebrated for their service to our country. Tonight Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War were recognized, remembered and have been forever memorialized. They are the first inductees to a new initiative presented by Veteran Matt Kelly, with the collective efforts of its founding members, Veteran Martin L. Gilliland, Veteran Sherwood Truman, Gold Star Mother Linda Dillon and Veteran Tom Calcei. These individuals form the board for the future PORTAGE COUNTY VETERANS HALL OF HONOR.
A dedication to the men and women of Portage that served in the US Military.

Tonight’s honorees 🇺🇸
Orion P. Howe- US ARMY
Newton H. Hall- US ARMY
John Henry Ricksecker- US ARMY
Edward Farrell- US NAVY

We were also honored to share a meal with not 1, but 2 WWII veterans! Red and Hobert are 100 and 99 years young!

On behalf of the PCVSC and the entire staff
THANK YOU for your service 🇺🇸 and thank you for being part of this special evening.

09/21/2026

Friday, September 18 was National POW/MIA Recognition Day. A beautiful and solemn ceremony was conducted and hosted by Alpha 11 Veteran Logistics Inc at the Brimfield Township Fire Department. This ceremony will be performed every third Friday of September.

We thank and give honor to those who have served this country, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, those who have not yet returned home, and the families who are still waiting for their service member to return.

If you are a surviving spouse of a Veteran or know of one, the Founder & CEO of Alpha 11, Lee Gidden voiced that a memorial ceremony can be conducted with provided burial flag and r***e volley.

09/21/2026