Submitted by Disabled American Veterans Chapter #63.
Disabled American Veterans Chapter #63 (Clermont County) extended warm and sincere congratulations to DAV Chapter Member William C. Graybill at their last chapter meeting. Chapter Member Graybill was notified that he was selected to the Class of 2020 of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
Graybill was one of only twenty veterans selected this year for enrollment. He joins fellow DAV Chapter #63 members Joseph Johnston and Howard Daugherty, who have been previously inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
Former Governor George Voinovich created the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 1992. Former Ohio Bureau of Employment Services Administrator James Conrad proposed the Hall of Fame to recognize the post-military achievements of outstanding veterans and realized how such a program would spotlight all veterans’ contributions in the civilian workplace.
Charter members of the Hall of Fame include the six Ohio military veterans who were elected President of the United States and previously recognized Medal of Honor recipients from Ohio.
Honorees of the past 26 years include astronauts, community volunteers, philanthropists, community leaders, safety officers, veteran advocates, public servants and government officials.
“There is a misconception that the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame is only a Military Hall of Fame,” DAV Department of Ohio Commander John Plahovinsak explained.
“In reality those veterans who were selected to the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame have continued to valiantly serve their communities with outstanding deeds and accomplishments throughout their lifetime.”
In recognizing DAV Member Graybill, Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Deborah Ashenhurst commended the recipients by honoring their post- military achievements, “You are amongst Ohio’s Finest Citizens in this distinction.”
There are only 895 Ohio veterans who have been inducted in the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame since 1992 and these veterans represent all eras, all branches of service and all walks of life.
“Bill Graybill is the typical veteran who continues to serve after he has been discharged,” DAV Chapter #63 (Clermont County) Commander Gary Lytle explained. “He is definitely a valued member and hopefully he will accept our invitation for him to serve as the Chapter #63 Chaplain, when our current Chaplain moves out of state in October.”
“Being selected for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame is an outstanding distinction that all veterans should strive for,” Chapter #63 Senior Advisor Raymond Hutchinson concluded. “Veterans continue to serve after they are discharged and Bill Graybill is an excellent example. To have three members of DAV Chapter #63 (Clermont County) is an outstanding achievement.”