Events
2026 Memorial Day Ceremony (Grove Cemetery) – Guest Speaker: Ohio State Representative Ty Mathews
The Hardin Veterans’ Service Commission (VSC) will host the Memorial Day Ceremony at the GAR Circle in Grove Cemetery on May 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM, immediately following the annual parade.
The Kenton High School Band, bagpiper Jadon Holbrook, JROTC cadets, the VSC Honor Guard, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) representative Ronald Marvin, wreath presenter and Korean War veteran Robert Height, Pastor Randall Forester, and our special guest speaker, Ohio State Representative Ty Mathews, will participate in this year’s memorial ceremony.
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the memorial service at Grove Cemetery. Please come out and show your respect for the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy every day in America.
2026 VSC Member Swearing-In Ceremony
Nelson Shultis, who is the representative for VFW Post 1182 and a current member of the Veterans’ Service Commission (VSC), was sworn in by Judge Christopher on Monday, January 12, 2026. He has been representing the VSC since May 2007 (for the past 19 years) and will be serving another five-year term on the commission, representing the veterans of Hardin County alongside four other board members.
2026 Veterans Golf Outing
The Hardin County Veterans’ Service Commission is hosting its second (2nd) golf outing at Memorial Park Golf Club on June 27 at 4:00 PM. The cost to enter the tournament is $36 per veteran, which includes a light meal and a drink.
Thanks to the following donors—AMVETS Post 1994, American Legion Post 198, VFW Post 1182, and VFW Post 9381—I am happy to announce that the first 45 veterans who sign up will have their entry fee waived on the day of the event. There will be a sign-up sheet in the clubhouse prior to June 27. Please bring proof of military service on the day of the event.
Please thank our donors for their generosity by patronizing their posts!
The Veterans Golf Outing gives veterans the opportunity to play against other veterans in friendly competition and to discuss a variety of veteran-related issues. Your county CVSO will also be there to answer any veteran-related questions. Please come out and join the fun.
Veteran’s Holiday Food Voucher Outreach Program 2025
The Veteran’s Holiday Food Voucher Outreach Program is available for all needy veterans and widows. The veteran must bring proof of honorable or under honorable conditions service via their DD214 and must have served on active duty other than for training. The widow must bring the veteran’s death certificate, marriage license, and proof of the veteran’s active-duty military service (DD214). Lastly, proof of Hardin County residency for the past 90 days is also required. Applicants may request a food voucher by visiting the Veterans’ Service Office (located on the first floor of the county courthouse in Kenton) between December 1 and December 15, 2025. Availability is dependent on funding.
Veteran’s Lunch on November 10, 2025
We are proud to announce that, for the tenth year in a row, the Veterans’ Service Commission is hosting a Veteran’s Lunch for the veterans and their spouses of Hardin County!
Thanks to the generous donations from two local sponsors, the Hardin County Community Foundation and Home Savings & Loan Company, we are able to offer this free lunch at the historic Armory in downtown Kenton. The VA and other community partners will be at the event to provide information to the veteran community.
There will also be a presentation prior to lunch by Area Agency on Aging 3, covering several topics for our elderly veterans. Lunch will be served promptly after the presentation is completed.
Pertinent Information:
- Date of Lunch: November 10
- Location: Armory in Kenton
- Doors Open: 11:00 AM
- Presentation: 11:30 AM
- Lunch: 12:00–1:30 PM
- Caterer: MamaCellas
All veterans who plan on attending the lunch must come into the Veterans’ Service Office between October 1 and October 29 to obtain their ticket(s). The veteran must have an honorable or under honorable conditions discharge and be a Hardin County resident. They may bring one of the following as proof of military service: a DD214, NGB-22, VA ID card, county Veteran’s ID card, or another recognized separation document, along with proof of Hardin County residency (such as a current utility bill or driver's license).
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited.
Outreach at the 2025 Hardin County Fair
Veterans of Hardin County, the Hardin County Veterans’ Service Commission (VSC) encourages you to attend the Hardin County Fair on September 2 so you can meet the Veterans Service Officer, representatives from the Veterans Administration (VA), and local veteran service organizations, including the American Legion and AMVETS. The Fair Board has graciously provided the VSC with the use of the shelter house once again this year, which is located a short distance from the grandstand, right beside the handicap parking area.
Please join us at the shelter house on Veterans Day at the county fair, when all veterans receive free admission.
2025 Hardin County Veterans 5K Run (Run, Walk, or Crawl) – Update: Event Winners
Registration Info
5K Event Location
Date: September 27, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM sharp
Location: Veterans Park (15906 Route 309, Kenton, OH)
Registration: Veterans’ Service Office (located in the courthouse in Kenton)
You can download the official PDF for this event here: 5K Flyer 2025
Sponsors: Community Market and McCullough Industries are the sponsors of this event so far. However, please check back, as this post will be updated to reflect any additional sponsors.
You can either download the PDFs below and mail them to the office along with the entry fee (please use a check made payable to the Veterans’ Service Commission; no cash, please), or come into the Veterans’ Service Office between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, to register in person (please don't forget to sign the forms). Every participant must register on or before September 10, 2025, in order to participate in this 5th annual event.
5K Registration Form 2025
2025 General Waiver
The 5K event will be held at Veterans Park (also known as Boy Scout Lake), which is located off State Route 309, just past Grove Cemetery. We will be using the paved path that loops around the pond, the shelter house, and along Route 309 (please review the map below outlining the path that will be used). The starting point and finish line are designated by the black star and line on the map.
Veterans Golf Outing
The Veterans’ Service Commission is hosting a golf outing at Memorial Park Golf Club on June 8 at 2:00 PM. Depending on the veteran’s age, the cost will be either $32 or $30 for 18 holes, minus a 10% discount with a valid Veteran’s ID.
Thanks to the following donors—VFW Post 1182, AMVETS Post 1994, American Legion Post 198, VFW Post 198 Auxiliary, and Triony Salon Kenton—I am happy to announce that there will be an additional reduction in the overall cost for all verified veterans who attend this golf outing (please bring proof of military service).
Please thank our donors for their generosity by patronizing their posts!
Playing against other veterans provides not only friendly competition but also an opportunity to discuss a variety of veteran-related issues. Your county CVSO will also be there to answer questions. Please come out and join the fun.
American Legion VSC Member Swearing-In Ceremony – 2024
Robert (Matt) Crawford was sworn in by Judge Christopher on December 18, 2024, for his third term on the Hardin County Veterans’ Service Commission.
He represents Foss-Agin-Meyer American Legion Post 185 in Ada, Ohio.
Veteran’s Holiday Food Voucher Outreach Program
The Veteran’s Holiday Food Voucher Outreach Program is available for all needy veterans and widows. The veteran must bring proof of honorable or under honorable conditions service via their DD214 and must have served on active duty other than for training. The widow must bring the veteran’s death certificate, marriage license, and proof of the veteran’s active-duty military service (DD214).
Lastly, proof of Hardin County residency for the past 90 days is also required. Applicants may request a food voucher by visiting the Veterans’ Service Office (located on the first floor of the county courthouse in Kenton) between December 9 and December 13, 2024. Availability is dependent on funding.
5K Event Details
2026 Hardin County Veterans 5K Run (Run, Walk, or Crawl) – Update: Event Winners
5K Event Details
Date: August 29, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM sharp
Location: Veterans Park (15906 Route 309, Kenton, OH)
Registration: Veterans’ Service Office (located in the courthouse in Kenton)
You can download the official PDF for this event here: 5K Flyer 2026
Sponsors: Legion Post 198 (Kenton), VFW Post 1182 (Forest), VFW Post 9381 (Ada), and Amvets Post 1994.
Registration Info
You can either download the PDFs below and mail them to the office along with the entry fee (please use a check made payable to the Veterans’ Service Commission; no cash, please), or come into the Veterans’ Service Office between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, to register in person (please don't forget to sign the forms). This year you can register early or on the day of the event.
5K Registration Form 2026
2026 General Waiver
5K Event Location
The 5K event will be held at Veterans Park (also known as Boy Scout Lake), which is located off State Route 309, just past Grove Cemetery. We will be using the paved path that loops around the pond, the shelter house, and along Route 309 (please review the map below outlining the path that will be used). The starting point and finish line are designated by the black star and line on the map.