Cleveland’s “Lone Sailor” monument was recently unveiled at the North Coast Harbor in Voinovich Park. The statue — one of eighteen across the country — is in place to pay tribute to the men and women who served in the Navy, as well as those currently enlisted. Cleveland’s monument is also particularly unique: it’s partially made from stone repurposed from the city’s historic Civil War-era Soldiers and Sailors monument. But, this statue is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of support for local veterans who make the transition to civilian life. From fast-track college credits to property tax relief for those with disabilities, Collinwood veterans are provided with the help and resources they need to live comfortably, find good jobs, and thrive.
Fast-track college credits, boosted test scores: benefits for Collinwood veterans
The American Council on Education (ACE) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide Ohio veterans with college credits based on their military training and experience. Around 1 in 3 veterans go on to earn a bachelor’s degree at minimum, and this program helps local veterans graduate faster, and at less cost. The given college credits are determined on a case-by-case basis based on each veteran’s individual experience.
Additionally, the Ohio State Employment Veteran Hiring Preference is good news for veterans who want to go into the civil service. They can get an extra 20% added onto their civil service exam scores. To qualify, veterans must have either been honorably discharged from active duty (or transferred to a reserve force), and must have served 180 days active duty.
Military experience helps Collinwood veterans land jobs post-discharge
Just over 46% of veterans (aged eighteen and over) are currently employed in Ohio. Fortunately, most veterans say their time in the military helped them land a job post-discharge — 29% say their military experience was “very useful”, while another 29% describe it as “fairly useful, Pew Research Center reveals. Indeed, veterans have a wealth of transferable skills that can impress Collinwood employers — from technical skills to the ability to work well in a team and remain calm under pressure. Notably, Army and Marine Corps veterans mainly find civilian jobs in the manufacturing and administrative sectors. Air Force infantry veterans, on the other hand, tend to have administrative jobs (15%), federal government jobs (15%), or begin careers in the scientific and technical services sector (14%).
Collinwood veterans discover support at resource fairs
Despite the ample local support available, Collinwood veterans aren’t always aware of the resources and benefits they can access. Edwin Parris, Cleveland’s first veterans liaison and a veteran himself, has set out to change this. He organizes regular resource fairs across the city to educate veterans on the help available to them. For example, veterans usually need their military (or veteran) identification card in order to access benefits, but it’s not uncommon for these cards to get lost or damaged — which then leaves veterans stuck and unable to receive the help they need and are entitled to. Fortunately, it’s possible to get replacements from the nearest local ID card office. Replacement military ID cards cost $7.50, but, in most cases, the Department of Defense will cover this fee.
The Ohio Disabled Veteran Homestead Property Tax Relief scheme is another vital benefit that’s often not known to veterans. Veterans with a 100% disability rating (the highest available rating) from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs can qualify for property tax relief on their home. Veterans eligible for this benefit can reduce their property taxes by $50,000 of their primary home’s assessed value. Understandably, this benefit can make a huge difference financially in the lives of Collinwood veterans with disabilities. For anyone interested in attending a local resource fair, the next one is scheduled for Armed Forces Day, which is the third Saturday in May.
For veterans who make the transition to civilian life, Collinwood is a friendly, welcoming, and supportive area to live, work, and play. Whether they decide to enroll in higher education or jump into full-time work, veterans can access all the support and resources they need to thrive in Collinwood.
