Summary: The Wayne County Commissioners welcomed home U.S. Army Specialist Jessica Albiez in a very special way.
After an over one year deployment in Iraq, U.S. Army Specialist Jessica Albiez is home.
During her deployment Albiez, who served as a human resource specialist for a Twinsburg based combat support hospital which cared for soldiers who were injured in combat, was responsible for the medical files for the injured soldiers as well as her own units medical and personnel files.
In recognition of her service to our country the Wayne County Commissioners presented Albiez with a special proclamation during their Dec. 14 meeting.
We thank you for your courageous commitment to serving our country while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Your bravery and dedication to the cause of freedom are to be commended, read Commissioner Scott Wiggam.
Wayne County is proud of you and a grateful county salutes you. We commend you for your service and welcome you home, continued Wiggam.
Also on hand to present Albiez with a certificate of appreciation from the 555th Honors Detachment for commitment for serving a cause greater than oneself was Elton Boyer.
When others stood fast you stepped forward to serve your country. You now return to a grateful community after service in the 256th combat Support Hospital in Iraq, read Boyer adding we sincerely thank you for your courage and commitment during your honorable service.
Boyer expressed his appreciation to the commissioners for fully supporting this honor and fellow Triple Nickel member Michelle Rose who came up with the idea to recognize Albiez.
I am really indebted to Michelle for putting this all together, said Boyer.
Commissioner Ann Obrecht added her words of thanks to Rose for alerting the commissioners to Albiezs return.
We know when they leave but we dont always know when they come back, said Obrecht.
Obrecht encouraged any Wayne County resident who has a family member returning from active duty to contact either the 555th Honors Detachment or the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission so the commissioners can recognize them when they come back because thats a large service to our community and we thank them all.
Larry Watson, Director of the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission was also on hand to invite Albiez to visit and commissions office and learn more about benefits that are available to military veterans.
Obrecht noted that by connecting veterans with the benefits for which they are eligible, the Veterans Service Commission provides a valuable service to returning veterans.
Watson noted that his office often encounters vets file a claim many years after they are eligible to receive benefits. When asked why they didnt come sooner most reply that they werent aware of available benefits.
In response, Watson has undertaken an extensive outreach program to make vets aware of the benefits they are entitled to. In addition to his monthly radio show, Watson also speaks on the topic of veterans benefits at nursing homes and meetings of veterans groups and service organizations.
Watson noted that there are veterans service commissioners in each of Ohios 88 counties available to help veterans.
While the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission can only provide financial assistance to Wayne County veterans, they can assist any veterans with filing claims regardless of where they live whether its in Wayne County, out of the county or out of state.
If a veteran wants to explore benefits well file a claim for them, said Watson.
For more information on the 555th Honors Detachment log on to http://555honorsdetachment.blogspot.com/.
The Wayne County Veterans Service Commission is located at 356 West North Street in Wooster. The commission can be contacted at 330-345-6638. More information on the commission and the services it offers can also be found at www.waynecountyveterans.org
