Connecting Veterans: Highlights from Our August Muster & Mingle
Our August Muster & Mingle brought together veterans, caregivers, and community members for an informative evening focused on services, support, and resources available to those who served.
Our Director Valerie started the evening with bubbles, a sure fire way to release the stress and tension we carry around with us everyday. All our veterans were smiling and laughing as bubbles filled the air. She then shared some announcements on upcoming events throughout the county. Larry Laub then told the group about something he had just recently learned, although it’s not a new authorization. Veterans are authorized to salute the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, and the raising/lowering of the flag. He led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, with many veterans saluting for the first time in years.
Dinner was generously provided by Miami County Veteran Services and catered by Lee’s Chicken. We were joined by Selena Lloyd, Executive Director of Miami County Veteran Services, and Kyle Kuda, Veterans Service Officer – Marketing Service Officer / Database Technician.
Kyle shared an overview of County Veteran Service Offices in Ohio, explaining that state law (ORC 5951) requires every county to have an office. All offices are accredited through both the VA and the American Legion, which allows them to assist veterans with claims and benefits anywhere in the state. Traveling veterans can stop into any office if they need help.
The presentation included practical information about filing claims, including the “Intent to File”, which allows veterans to start the process even if they don’t have all their documentation yet, as long as they have a diagnosis within the past year. He also explained the 5‑10‑20 Year Rule for claim adjustments: claims filed within five years can be raised, lowered, or severed; within ten years they can only be raised or lowered; and after twenty years, they become permanent.
Other services were highlighted as well, including transportation not only to appointments at the VA but also to Compensation & Pension exams in counties bordering Miami, and the option to pre-apply for headstones and national cemetery burial, which is pre-approved but not paid out until the veteran’s death.
Attendees got a sneak peek of this year’s Miami County Fair giveaway T-shirt design, and the group had the chance to ask questions, all of which were answered by Selena and Kyle. They also shared information about VetFest ’25, scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Miami County Fairgrounds in Troy. This free event will include food trucks, a kids’ zone, a car and bike show, vendors, veterans benefits administration services, and will close with a free concert by Darryl Worley. You can catch us there in the vendor area!
We are thankful to the Miami County Veterans Service office for providing dinner and for their candor. We work hard to connect veterans and their families to the resources that are out there, and being able to connect them to their local office was monumental. To see where we’ll be next and find opportunities to connect with your veteran community, check out our Upcoming Events page by clicking here. We hope to see you at one of our future events!