Sugarcreek man named Veteran of the Year
Linda Stefanov and Jeff Schrock
The Tuscarawas County Council of the American Legion recently held its 93rd Past Commander’s Banquet.
County Cmdr. Linda Stefanov served as master of ceremonies. Chris Hart presented a program on Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Denny Ross, awards committee chairman, presented Debbie Cook, Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Office director, a Special Recognition Award for her many years of service to veterans, including the last 17 years as director. Cook will retire at the end of 2025.
The awards committee selected Jeff Schrock of Sugarcreek as the Tuscarawas County American Legion Veteran of the Year. Stefanov presented an engraved plaque.
Schrock joined the U.S. Air Force in 1973 and served as a law enforcement specialist in Security Police and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command. In 1975 he was honorably discharged and reassigned to the 179th Air National Guard unit from 1975-80. He worked 39 years at Centor, formally Owens-Illinois.
In 2009 Schrock was appointed by Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Edward O’Farrell to serve on the Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Commission representing the American Legion. He has been reappointed three times and is in his 16th year on the commission.
Schrock served 30 years as a volunteer firefighter, retiring in 2007 with a rank of captain. He ran for a seat on village council, serving 12 years from 2008-19.
As a member of the Homer Weiss Post 494 American Legion for the past 51 years, holding numerous offices, he serves on the post honors team. His peers elected him twice in 1985 and 2003 to serve as county commander.
He is a lifetime member of VVA Chapter 857, AMVETS and the DAV. He also is a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He has an interest in Civil War veterans’ post-war adjustment and fraternal aspects. He is in involved in locating
all veterans’ graves and seeing they are properly marked with a flag and if needed a government headstone.
Schrock belongs to Alpine Bible Church, is a life member of the Baltic Conservation Club and serves on the Alpine Hills Museum Board.
Schrock enjoys meeting and helping veterans and their families and finds it an honor to be part of giving final honors to veterans as they pass. He and his wife Sharon reside in Sugarcreek.