Veteran Award Nomination

This award honors a veteran of Ohio's 11th Congressional District whose service didn't end when the uniform came off — it evolved. Recognizing someone who has carried the discipline, integrity, and selflessness forged in military service into civilian life, and used it to lift others up. This is a veteran who shows up: mentoring fellow service members, strengthening their community, and leading by example long after their discharge papers were signed. The OH-11 Veteran of the Year embodies what it means to serve twice — first in uniform, and again at home.

For someone who has stood at the front lines of change for veterans — pushing for better services, smarter policy, and real opportunity, and refusing to settle for "good enough" when veterans deserve better. This award honors the advocates who translate lived experience and hard-won knowledge into action: identifying where the system fails veterans, building the case for something better, and staying at the table until real change is made.

Honors a spouse, caregiver, Gold Star family, or military family whose sacrifices deserve special recognition. While service members serve abroad or on base, their families serve too — holding households together through deployments, shouldering the invisible labor of caregiving, and carrying the profound weight of loss. This award recognizes that sacrifice for one's country isn't limited to those in uniform, and honors the families whose quiet strength and unwavering support make service possible.

Named in honor of General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. — a trailblazing military leader, Tuskegee Airman, and the first African American general in the U.S. Air Force. Though born in Washington, D.C., Davis came of age in Cleveland, graduating from Central High School in 1929 before attending Western Reserve University. He later returned to the city in his post-military years, serving as Cleveland's Director of Public Safety under Mayor Carl B. Stokes. This award recognizes a veteran whose leadership reflects the same courage, integrity, and perseverance that defined Davis's legacy — someone shaped by this community who has, in turn, led others with distinction and paved the way for those who follow.

•Named in honor of Private First Class William Adelbert Foster, a Cleveland native and U.S. Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. When an enemy grenade landed beyond reach of his foxhole, Foster dove on it himself, absorbing the blast to save the life of a fellow Marine. He was just 30 years old. This award honors a veteran whose service reflects that same selfless devotion — someone who has consistently placed others before self, met duty with quiet courage, and left a lasting mark through acts of distinguished, often unheralded, service.

Honors a veteran whose service continues far from any spotlight — the one who consistently shows up for fellow veterans and the community without expecting credit. Whether it's coordinating support quietly in the background, checking in on someone who's struggling, or doing the unglamorous work that keeps programs running, this honoree understands that real impact doesn't require an audience. This award is for the people who hold things together — often the last to be thanked, and the first to help.

Recognizes a veteran who has made a meaningful impact on the lives of young people through mentorship, education, advocacy, coaching, or community service. This award honors a veteran who continues their legacy of service by investing in the next generation—helping young people develop confidence, leadership, discipline, and a commitment to their communities.

Named for Rear Admiral Alene B. Duerk, an Ohio native and veteran of three wars who became the U.S. Navy's first female admiral in 1972 after decades of service as a Navy nurse. This award honors a veteran whose leadership has opened doors once closed to others — someone who, like Duerk, turned a historic first into lasting opportunity for those who came after.