When I’ve run for office, the fact that I’m a veteran wasn’t given much credit by the Dayton Daily News- that’s probably because they don’t employ too many veterans in their news room these days.

But, yes, I’m a veteran- and I was a founding member of a business group for Veterans- VOB108 over 6 years ago. We’re a 501c6 non-profit and are presenting our second annual big event: Vet Biz Now- next week at the Hope Hotel. Everyone is welcome, but the focus is veterans in S. W. Ohio.

This year, we’re hosting the Director of Ohio Department of Veterans Services, Col. Thomas Moe- who was Senator John McCain’s cellmate in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.”

If you know a veteran business owner, or are just interesting in hearing an American hero speak, please feel free to register and attend.

VOB-108, a Dayton-based organization of veteran business owners, announces a status update on veteran services in Ohio by Col. Thomas Moe, Director of Ohio Department of Veteran Services. Col. Moe will speak Thursday, October 13 at a luncheon at the Hope Hotel. Reservations can be made at www.vob108.org/vetbiznow or by calling 937.228.4433. Cost is $25 for the event that begins at 11:30. Members of VOB108 pay $15.

Col. Moe retired from the U.S. Air Force after 30 years of service and was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2009. He has served as Director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services since January 10, 2011. He headed the “Ohio Veterans for McCain” organization during the 2008 election, having served with Senator McCain in the “Hanoi Hilton” in Vietnam.

VOB108 is a group of Veteran Owned Business owners in Dayton, Ohio, working together to win government contracts. VOB108 meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month in Dayton at DeVry University to support the veteran business owner.

The organization is devoted to “building bridges, not walls”, within the private and public business arena. This is done by networking within and outside of VOB108. They have tax exempt status as a 501c6 organization. They welcome all veterans and veteran business owners.

For more information on Col. Moe:

http://dvs.ohio.gov/home/thomas_n._moe_-_biography.aspx

Register

via Col Tom Moe, Director Ohio Department of Veterans Services, to speak in Dayton, Oct 13 2011.

If any news organization needs more information on this event- contact [email protected]

Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses are supposed to get 3% of all federal contracts- mostly, via subcontracts from large defense contractors. VOB108 has worked tirelessly to build these relationships with local defense contractors, however, since the federal law has no real teeth- business as usual continues at WPAFB and around the country.

We will continue to work to build these relationships and hope that Col. Moe helps facilitate a dialog between the major defense contractors and these veterans who have served our country.