Debra S. Cook
Director
Office Hours
8:00AM to 4:00PM
Monday – Friday
Please call for an Appointment
393 16th Street SW
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
* Please call and do not use GPS for directions
Phone: 330-339-1163
cookd@co.tuscarawas.oh.us
Upcoming Tuscarawas County Veteran Service Commission Board Meeting Dates;
Tuesday, June 13, 2023; 11:00 AM
Tuesday, June 27, 2023; 11:00 AM
Tuesday, July 11, 2023; 11:00 AM
Tuesday, July 25, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuesday, August 8, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuesday, August 22, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuesday, September 12, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuesday, September 26, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuesday, October 10, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuesday, October 24, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuesday, November 14, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuesday, November 28, 2023; 11:00 PM
Tuscarawas County
Veteran Services – Personnel Bios
The Veterans Service Office is a county agency dedicated to helping veterans, and/or dependents of veterans, and active-duty members of the armed forces in obtaining benefits and entitlements from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). A veteran’s service office is the liaison between the veterans and/or dependent and the DVA.
Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Commission Members
| Name | Position | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Jack A. Everett | President | Veterans of Foreign Wars |
| Patrick L. Walker | V-President | Vietnam Veterans of America |
| Patrick L. Walker | Secretary | Vietnam Veterans of America |
| David Fockler | Member | At Large |
| Jeffrey Schrock | Member | American Legion |
| Roger A. Strawser | Member | Amvets |
Service Office Personnel
| Name | Position/Department |
|---|---|
| Debra S. Cook | Director, County Veterans Service Officer |
| Jason Thornton | County Veterans Service Officer |
| James S. Thornton | County Veterans Service Officer |
| David Renner III | Financial Assistance Administrator |
| Bernadette Noel | Administrative Assistant |
Transportation
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Jerry J Murphy | Driver |
| Ray Miles | Driver |
| Phillip Whitten | Driver |
| Joe Dorto | Driver |
Services Offered
Counseling with Veterans and/or Dependents to Determine eligibility for benefits from the department of veteran’s affairs (DVA), the State of Ohio and from Tuscarawas County. Proof of military service such as a DD-214 or separation from military document (original or certified copy) is required for all potential benefits. Examples of services offered include the following:
- Application for proof of military service if necessary
- Medals, badges, commendations, decorations, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized if proof of entitlement is shown on proof of service or other service records.
- Emergency financial assistance (residency within the county for the last three consecutive calendar months is required)
- Application for Military ID Cards
- Completion of military and DVA insurance forms
- Application for DVA compensation (for service-connected disability) that may be paid to veterans and/or dependents or survivors of veterans who die due to service-connected conditions.
- DVA pension for wartime veterans and/or dependents and survivors with total non-service-connected disabilities.
- DVA education benefits for veterans and/or certain dependents or survivors
- Application for state of Ohio education benefits available for dependent or surviving children of veterans who served during wartime or living wartime veterans who received DVA compensation at a 60% rate or higher or who received DVA non-service-connected disability pension and who choose to attend an Ohio institution – Ohio residency a Requirement.
- Applications for DVA and/or Tuscarawas County financial assistance with costs associated with the death and burial of a veteran, spouse, surviving spouse or parent of a deceased veteran.
- Transportation to and from DVA medical center within the State of Ohio
Services Offered
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Senior Center Transportation | 330-364-6688 |
| DVA New Philadelphia Medical Clinic | 330-602-5339 |
| Louis Stokes, Wade Park Division, DVA Medical Center | 216-791-3800 |
| DVA Canton Medical Clinic | 330-489-4600 |
| Cleveland DVA Regional Office | 800-827-1000 |
| Educational Benefits | 888-442-4551 |
| Ohio State Grants and Scholarships | 614-752-9536 |
| Toll Free | 888-833-1133 |
Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Commission Members
Jack A. Everett
President - Veterans of Foreign Wars
I served with the 25th INF. DIV. in the Army, and served my country in Vietnam. I received two Purple Hearts, a CIB, and the Bronze Star Medal with the V Device. I was inducted into the Ohio Hall of Fame for valor in 2008. I have served as the Commander for the WM Donehue VFW Post #7943, and past District 6 Commander. I am a life member of the VFW and the DAV. I am a member of the Purple Heart Association, the AMVETS, and the AL. I have served with the Tuscarawas County Commission since 2001, and was elected the Vice-President in 2003. I have devoted any free time since leaving the military to assisting, and working with veterans. "One veteran helping another veteran."
Patrick L. Walker
Vice-President/Secretary - Vietnam Veterans of America
Resides in Sugarcreek. I served in the US Navy from June 1968 - May 1972 as a hospital corpsman. I served with the 7th Marines in Vietnam from 69 - 70, and the 12th Marines in Okinawa. I am an active member of the American Legion Post #494 in Sugarcreek, the New Philadelphia AMVETS Post #1338, life member of the VFW Post #1445 in New Philadelphia, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 857. I am the current President for the VVA. I am on the New Philadelphia Veterans Coordinating Committee. I was appointed to the Veteran Service Commission in January 2009. I am presently serving as the Secretary.
David Fockler
Member - (At Large)
I was in the Army from 1965 to 1967 as a Supply Clerk and served my Country in Vietnam. I am a member of the Newcomerstown American Legion Post# 0431, Newcomerstown Veterans Honor Guard, VFW Post# 3033 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter# 532. I am presently a Trustee of the American Legion and the Treasurer of the Vietnam Veterans of America. I was appointed to the Tuscarawas County Veteran Service Commission in July 2015 and I am looking forward to serving the veterans of Tuscarawas County.
Jeffrey Schrock
Member - American Legion
Jeff Schrock was appointed to represent the American legion on the Veteran Service Commission, with his term beginning in 2010. Schrock enlisted in the U.S. Air Force following graduation from high school. He served on active duty from 1973 to 1975 as a law enforcement specialist in the security police and was assigned to the strategic Air Command (SAC). He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1975 and reassigned to the 179th Airlift of the Ohio National Guard, serving with the unit until February 1980. Schrock has been a member of the Homer Weiss Post #494 of the American Legion for 42 years. He has held the numerous offices in the post and on the county level. His peers elected him twice, in 1985 and 2003 to serve as Tuscarawas County Commander. He serves on the post color guard and funeral details. He is also a lifetime member of DAV, and New Philadelphia AMVETS Post 1338.
Roger A Strawser
Member - Amvets
Roger Strawser was appointed to the Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Commission in October 2019. He was in the Army from December 1970 March 1972. He was stationed with a Construction Engr. in Vietnam from July 1971 through March 1972. He served in many different positions at the Amvet's Post #1338 starting in 2007. Also, I am a member of teh VFW Post #1445, American Legion Post #494. He loves working with and for Veterans.
Service Office Personnel
Debra S. Cook
Director, County Veterans Service Officer
U.S. Army veteran med tech in a MASH unit with the big red one. I have worked at the Tuscarawas County Veteran Service office since 1998. I started in the position as a secretary, became accredited as a County Veteran Service Officer in 2003. I took my national accreditation in 2005, and became the Director in July of 2006. I truly enjoy working with veterans and their dependents in assisting them in filing for VA benefits that they may be entitled. I am in the position that I get to thank veterans everyday for serving me and our country.
Jason Thornton
County Assistant Veterans Service Officer
Jason E. Thornton is a 1993 graduate of Indian Valley High School. He joined the Marine Corps in July 1993 and served as a pay clerk and auditor. While serving in the finance community, he served aboard the USS America (CV-66) during Operation Deny Flight. In 2005, he was selected for the warrant officer commissioning program, being pinned to Warrant Officer 1 and served as a Finance Officer. CWO2 Thornton served in OEF/OIF from Feb 2007 until Feb 2008, providing pay and contract support; assisting in the rebuild of the Iraqi infrastructure. Jason retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 from Marine Corps Financial Management School in 2013 with 20 years of Honorable service. Jason is currently employed as an Assistant Veteran Service Officer with the Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Office. He is a member of the Tuscarawas VFW Post #7943 and the Newcomerstown American Legion Post #0431. He is a member of the Tuscarawas VFW Post #7943. Jason is currently employed as an Assistant Veteran Service Officer with the Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Office. He is a member of the Tuscarawas VFW Post #7943 and the Newcomerstown American Legion Post #0431.
James S. Thornton
County Veterans Service Officer
James S. Thornton is a 1982 graduate of Indian Valley South High School and a resident of Port Washington, Ohio. He joined the United States Marine Corps in July 1983 and served in the Marine Corps Reserve in Akron, Ohio until March of 1987 when he joined the United States Army. He served as an enlisted infantryman on active duty in the Army until he retired in June of 2007 with the rank of First Sergeant. He is currently employed as a Veteran Service Officer with the Tuscarawas County Veterans Service Office. He is a member of the Tuscarawas VFW Post #7943 and the Newcomerstown American Legion Post #0431.
David Renner III
Financial Assistance Administrator
David was born in Dover, and grew up in New Philadelphia. After graduating from New Phila High School in 2007, he entered the Army National Guard. During his time in service, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He enjoys working with and for other veterans. He is a Life member at the New Phila VFW Post #1445.
Bernadette Noel
Administrative Assistant
Bernadette Noel is a retired United States Navy Chief. She served as security guard personnel in Concord, CA from 1987 – 1989. From 1989 – until she retired in 2006, she served as a crytologic technician in communications. She thoroughly enjoyed her time in the Navy. She feels honored to have the opportunity to assist veterans and their families when they call or visit the office.
Jerry J Murphy
Driver
Jerry Joe Murphy was born and raised in Dover and still lives in Dover. He is married and he and his wife raised four children. He served as a Marine from June 1983 to November 1987. He was honorably discharged and is proud to be helping others that have served. SEMPER FI
Ray Miles
Driver
I graduated from Claymont High School in 1967. I entered the Army in 1969, obtained the rank of sergeant, and was discharged in 1971. I am active with the Tuscarawas VFW Post 7943. I really enjoy interacting with the veterans as I drive them to their VA medical appointments.
Phillip Whitten
Driver
I entered the Army in May of 1971. I did my Basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 2nd BCT Brigade. I then went to Fort Bliss, Texas for my Advanced Individual Training. I was assigned to Camp Irwin, South Korea. After completion of my active duty time, I entered the Ohio National Guard, serving with the 1485th from 1973 to 1976.
Joe Dorto
Driver
I was in the Army from March 1969 through August 1973. I was an Infantryman and served my Country in Vietnam from 1969 through 1970. I was raised in Leesville and graduated from Conotton Valley High. After returning from the Military I worked several jobs and retired from the Railroad. I am presently the Commander of the Tuscarawas VFW Post # 7943. I have lived in Uhrichsville for the past 45 years with my spouse.