445th Reservist receives Ohio Vet bonus check

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Master Sgt. Leegurtha Lucas, 445th Force Support Squadron, received some extra money in her pocket and a letter signed by the governor of Ohio thanks to the Ohio Veterans Bonus program.

Sergeant Lucas saw an e-mail going around that was sent out from the Ohio Attorney General asking veterans who fit the criteria to apply for the program. The e-mail stated that eligible veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Iraq or Afghanistan wars may receive $100 for each month of active duty service up to $1,000. Eligible veterans serving on active duty elsewhere in the world during these wars may receive $50 per month of service up to a maximum of $500. An eligible veteran may combine their service up to a maximum of $1,500.

To be eligible for a bonus, a veteran must have been an Ohio resident at the start of active duty service and also when he or she applies for the bonus. He or she must have been either separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions, remains on active duty service, or after active duty service, the veteran remains in any reserve component of the armed forces, including the Ohio National Guard.

"I highly recommend that everyone who has been on order's in support of any of the qualifying contingencies to submit their application package, making sure all the required documents are included in the package. It will be well worth the time and effort," Sergeant Lucas said.

Applications are available at www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov  or at any of Ohio's 88 County Veterans Services Offices, or by calling 1-877-OHIO VET.