Giving Back to Veterans Day offers resources

There will be a Giving Back to Veterans Day event at the Ironton Farmers Market Square today.

It begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. The event is free.

Organizer Kim Maynard, RN, said this is the second year for the event.

“It just has gotten bigger and bigger,” she said. “With Ironton, the Memorial Day town that it is, it is just perfect.”

She said she has been a home health nurse for a long time and has taken care of a lot of veterans and always enjoyed their stories of their time in the service.

“I appreciate their service and always appreciated their stories, whether they were happy or sad,” she said. “This event was something I wanted to do to show them they are appreciated.”

Marcia Neville Lambert, RN, who was honored for her services at last year’s event, will be doing the prayer.

At 10:45 a.m., there will be a flag ceremony and a 21-gun salute by the VFW Post 8850 Honor Guard. The anthem will be sung by Susan King Taylor.
Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith will present a proclamation recognizing the event.

They will also honor Lawrence County veteran, Orville “Dean” Cooper, who was inducted into Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame this year.

After the ceremonies, James Cazad will play music.

There will also food, wellness checks by local agencies and King’s Daughters Medical Center will provide free EKGs, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and oxygen saturation checks.

There will also be booths with information about veteran resources from Lawrence County Veterans Service, VFW Post 8850, Lawrence County DAV, Huntington Veteran Center, Chillicothe Veteran Center, Red Cross, Wreaths Across America, Ohio Southern University, Ohio Job Means, the Lawrence County Health Department, Patriot Ambulance, Lawrence County EMS, Ironton Fire Department, Lawrence County Vocational Center, Community Action Organization and Rescare Home Care.

There will also be six divisions of the Huntington VA hospital including Suicide Prevention/Mental Health, Homeless Services, Caregiver\Transition Services and Care Management (Post 911), Medical Foster Home, Women’s Services and someone from VBA(VARO) benefit office to help with claims.

Market Square is located at 220 S. Second St. in Ironton.