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Crawford County Veterans Service Commissioners (OHIO)
Crawford County Veterans Service Commission - Office
112 E. Mansfield St., Suite 95 - Court House) Lower Level
Bucyrus, Ohio 44820
Phone: 419 562 7761 fax: 419 562 0662
Meeting held 1st. and 3rd. Monday of each month : 4:30 p.m.. at the Vet. Serv. Office.
Picures below: (Center back) Are: 1. Herb Kraft, 2 (Right of Kraft):
John Sears 3: (Rt. Front) Larry Patton 4: (left of Kraft) Donald Diosi 5: Charles Christman -
"The Crawford County Veterans Service Commission"
Herbert L. Kraft - President - Veterans Service Commission
Represents American Legion
John D. Sears - Secretary Veterans Service Commission
Represents AmVets
Larry J. Patton - Vice President - Veterans Service Commission
Represents Army and Navy Union, USA, Inc.
Donald Diosi - Veterans Service Commissioner
Represents VFW
Charles H. Christman - Veteran Service Commissioner
Respresents DAV
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Herb Kraft - President VSC
Larry Patton - Vice President VSC
John Sears - Secretary VSC
Charles Christman - Commissioner VSC
Donald Diosi - Commissioner VSC
Purpose : The Veterans Service Commission (VSC) was established for the purpose of assisting veterans and
their dependents who have met with unexpected hardship as a result of sickness, injury, or disease, or becoming destitute
because of a lack of employment; or being unable to find gainful or adequate employment. Applicants must have residency
in county for past 90 days prior to the date of application. The applicant or the veteran on who service
the application is based must have been discharged under honorable conditions from active duty military service performed
for other than training purposes.
Of primary importance to the VSC are the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter and clothing. It
is the purpose of the Commission to assist veterans and their dependents temporarily until a permanent solution to their difficulties
can be arranged.
For complete info. contact the Crawford County Veterans Service Office.
Mr. Herbert L. Kraft, USN served Honorably during WWII, Nov. 42 to Jan. 46 and was first appointed to the VSC Feb. 3,
69 and reps. American Legion.
Mr. Larry J. Patton, USA (Retired), Served Honorably during Vietnam War, Sept. 61 to Oct. 64 and was first appointed
to the VSC Jan. 25, 88 and reps. Army and Navy Union, USA
Mr. John D. Sears, USN served honorably during WWII. Sept. 44 to Jun. 47, and was first appointed to the VSC Oct.
6, 70, Reps. AmVets
Mr. Donald Diosi, USN, served honorably Korean War, Jan. 50 to Oct. 53, and was first appointed to the VSC Jan. 15, 2001
and reps. VFW
Mr. Charles H. Christman, USA served honorably Vietnam War., Mar. 68 to Mar. 71 and was first appointed to the VSC Jan.
15, 2002 and reps. DAV
Crawford County Veterans Service Commission/Office
Statement of Policy
The Veterans Service Commission exercises extreme care in determining those individuals who are to be helped,
reduced or denied to assure that no person entitled is inadvertently denied temporary financial assistance. The
law governing the Veterans Service Commission is Section 5901.15 of the Ohio Revised Code, which designates those persons
who are entitled to financial assistance. The law is designed to help those persons who have served their country
honorably and well, and are now in need of public assistance. It is to this end that the Veterans Service Commission
devotes a major portion of its resources.
The entire income and net worth for a household is considered in allowing for financial assistance.
If the monthly income of an applicant's household from all sources exceeds the budget, no financial assistance can be administered.
If the applicant's household income from other sources (such as ADC, GA, sick benefits, Social Security, VA payments, wages
etc., ) is less than the budget amount than the family may be provided with financial assistance.
All applicants for financial assistance who are physically capable of working must be actively seeking employment.
Ordinarily, this condition is met by submission of proof, such as statements from prospective employers or a list of various
contacts made during the month, indicating that the applicant is seeking employment. If an applicant is
incapable of working due to physical or mental disability, refusal to cooperate in providing proof of the incapacity may result
in a denial of financial assistance. until such proof is provided.
If it is determined that an applicant for financial assistance has a major problem with drugs or alcohol,
he or she will be referred to another agency that deals with treatment and rehabilitation as appropriate. Every
effort will be made to see that they are referred to hospitals or clinics on an outpatient basis, or to the closest Drug Abuse
Center.
The Crawford County Veterans Service Commission also works closely with other agencies that provide care
for needy person. Some of these are: Jobs and Family Services (General Assistance, Aid to Dependent
Children, Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc); Social Security Administration (SS, SS Disability, SSI, Medicare), Department of Veterans
Affairs (Compensation and Pension, Medical Care, Counseling, etc.), and various other Federal, State, and local agencies.
Referrals to an appropriate agency will be made as needed and applicants are expected to carry through with applications for
assistance available from these other sources.
Veterans Service Commission financial assistance should NEVER BE CONSTRUED as a pension for compensation
type of benefit. It is TEMPORARY in nature and is meant to prevent undue hardship for veterans and their families
until other Federal, State or Local benefits can be obtained. However, an applicant may request reconsideration
of financial assistance at any time, based upon new and material evidence of the facts or findings in the case, or appeal
a decision of the Veterans Service Commission by requesting to appear at the next scheduled meeting of the Commission.
Any applicant may, from time to time be required to appear personally before the Veterans Service Commission before consideration
will be given to the applicant's request for financial assistance.
The Veterans Service Commission shall meet on the 1st. and 3rd. Mondays of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the
Crawford County Veterans Office at 112 E. Mansfield St., Suite 95, Bucyrus, Ohio.
Applications for assistance may be obtained at any time, but must be submitted for consideration before
12:00 (noon) on the day of the board meeting.
Information on the Veterans Service Commission of Crawford County
Realizing the need for speedy financial assistance, the State of Ohio enacted the Soldier's Relief Act of
1886. This law provided that each of the 88 counties in Ohio, should have a Soldier's Relief Commission that would
be able to care for the needs of veterans, widows and dependents of veterans who were met with financial hardships through
no fault of their own. Initially, the Soldier's Relief Commission were composed of three members and later legislation
increased the number to five. In 1945, legislation authorized the commission to hire veterans service officers to assist
veterans and dependents in making application for benefits they might be entitled to receive. In 1988 the name was changed
to the Veterans Service Commission as it is known today.
The Crawford County Veterans Service Office commenced operation in 1945, with records for the Veterans Service
Commission dating to April 1892, showing relief records for assistance to indigent Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines. Since
being established,it has been changed with the responsibility of providing two distinct type of services to honorably discharged
veterans and their dependents. These services are to provide them with financial aid and assistance in securing
benefits provided by State and Federal law. Today, the mission of the Veterans Service Commission and the Veterans
Service Office has not changed.
Veterans Service Office information:
It is asked that when you visit the office that you bring military discharge papers (DD-214), a picture
I.D., proof of income, proof of net worth, copies of current bills and proof of residency in Crawford County needed at the
time you apply for financial assistance.
For assistance in making application for benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, please
contact office and we can discuss documents needed.
No residency requirements are specified for veterans service office assistance with claim for benefits with
the exception of Veterans Service Commission Financial Assistance as previously outlined.
Transportation is provided to the Cleveland and Brecksville VAMC please contact office reference
our transportation scheduled. For information on VA medical care/treatment contact office.
Remote Location:
Crestline VFW each Tuesday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m - 419 683 9265
Galion American Legion from 1:00 to 4:30 each Thursday - 419-468 1208.
Fee charged for services - None
Funded by Crawford County Real Estate Taxes
We're here to Serve: Bucyrus Office Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday (closed holidays).
William E. Bessinger, Veterans Service Officer
Michael C. Amsbaugh, Assistant Veterans Service Officer
Theresa Auck - Administrative Assistant
Don Rinehart - Transportation Officer/Driver
VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) is located at 100 S. Crestline St., Crestline, Ohio. Service Officer is available
Tuesdays 1:30 to 4:30 p.m..
Galion American Legion is located at 118 S. Market St., Galion, Ohio. Service Officer available each Thursday afternoon
from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m..
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We are here to serve the Veterans and Their Dependents.
If you have a question contact the office:
419 -562 7761
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William E. Bessinger (Bill Bessinger) is the Crawford County Veterans Service Officer.
Mr. Bessinger, the present Crawford County Veterans Service Officer, served in the U.S. Navy, 4 years during
the Vietnam War (at Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO VQ-2) Rota, Spain (two years) and aboard the USS Koelsch (DE-1049)
New Port, R.I.) two years. He has hired Aug. 15, 73. Mr. Bessinger is an accredited Vet. Serv. Officer having
received accreditation from the following organizations: Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs (GOVA OHIO), AmVets,
American Legion, DAV, MOPH, Army and Navy Union USA, Inc., Am. Ex-POW's, MCL, VWWI, Jewish War Vets., Fleet Reserve Association,
Blinded Veterans Association, Catholic War Veterans and VVA.
William E. Bessinger, Veterans Service Officer, Crawford County
Michael C. Amsbaugh, Assistant Veterans Service Officer/Investigator
Served in the U.S. Navy Mr. Michael C. Amsbaugh hired November 14, 2005, continues as the present Assistant
Veterans Service Officer/Investigator. Mr. Amsbaugh was the Richland County Veterans Service Officer from Nov. 9, 97 to Nov.
13, 2005. Mr. Amsbaugh is an accredited Veterans Service Officer, having received accreditation from the following organizations:
Governor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, AMVETS, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Jewish War Veterans of the USA. He was trained to be allowed access to the Department
of Veterans Affairs Benefits Delivery System (BDN) and received advanced TRIP I & II training for advanced claims development
and additional access to VA’s computer system in the near future. He serves on the Ohio State Association of County
Veterans Service Officers as Assistant Historian
Theresa Auck - Administrative Assistant. Served in the U.S. Army.
Ms. Theresa C. Auck currently serves in the position of Administrative Assistant, having been hired September 25, 1989.
Ms. Auck is also accredited by the Ohio Governor’s Office of Veterans Affairs
Donald Rinehart - Transportation Specialists/Driver, USA Veteran. Served Korean War.
First trip as a driver 9 19 05 - Life member of Am. Legion, VFW and AmVets. Resides Galion, Ohio.
Local Veterans Service Organizations Crawford County
American Legions
Galion American Legion Post 243, Scarbrough Post, PO Box 788, 118
S. Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833, 419 468 1208
American Legion Col. Crawford Post 181, 123 E. Rensselaer St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 - 419 - 562 7311.
American Legion Post 488, McWhirter Post, Crestline, Ohio (temp. closed) contact: Jim Greter 418 683
3282
Army Navy Union, USA Inc.
Army Navy Club, Garrison 987, 205 H.W. E., Galion, OHio 44833 - 419 468 2196
AmVets Posts
AmVets Post #27, 235 E. Galen St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44280
419-562-4571
AmVets 1979, Polk Twp., 420 Harding Way E., Galion, Ohio 44833 - 419 - 468 - 4464
Disabled American Veterans
DAV Chapter 100, mail c/o Theresa Auck, 126 S. Highland Ave., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 - 1 419 562 4232.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
VFW Post 8999, PO Box 1018, 1325 E. Mansfield St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 - 419 562 8301
VFW Post 6355, 5884 SR 103, New Washington, Ohio 44854 - 419 - 492 1800.
VFW Post 2920 Harley - Helfrich, 100 S. Crestline St., Crestline, Ohio 44827 - 419 683 9265
VFW Post 1079, 330 E. Mansfield St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 - 419 - 562 -7916
VFW Post 4329, PO Box 394, 229 S. Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833 - 419 468 - 5191.
Crawford County Veterans Service Office is located in the new addition that was added onto the back of the
courthouse. North end of the building. Looking at this picture everyone must enter on the east side of the
courthouse, center of building at the brick area. The veterans service office is on the lower level. (One
floor down from the lobby).
Crawford County Veterans Service Office - Commission (OHIO) 419 562 7761
Fax: 419 562 0662
e-mail: billb@crawford-co.org
(1) Click on Web Site(s): Ohio State Association(s) info.
(2) Click on Web Site(s) - Crawford County info.
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