Today in session, the Delaware County Commissioners voted to extend the lowering of flags at the county government’s facilities until sunset on Sept. 3. The act honors the lives of 13 U.S. service members and at least 169 civilians killed in the Aug. 26 terrorist attack at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

On Aug. 26, Governor Mike DeWine, in accordance with an order issued by U.S. President Joe Biden, had authorized lowering U.S. and State of Ohio flags to half-staff at all public building and grounds in the state until sunset on Aug. 30. When it was learned that one of the troops killed was native Ohioan and Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, a subsequent order from DeWine further extended the flag-lowering period for U.S. and Ohio flags until sunset on Sept. 3.

The Commissioners passed their resolution in support of the Sept. 3 date and encouraged other local jurisdictions and businesses to keep all flags, including the County’s, lowered until then as well.

“Words can’t really describe the loss,” said Commissioner Barb Lewis, to which Commissioner Gary Merrell added, “Young people lost their lives unnecessarily.”

The Commissioners also heard from Delaware County Veterans Service Office Director Brian Galligher, who shared information about support services available to area veterans.  Galligher detailed the following resources, all of which are available free to charge to any veteran, even if they are not registered with the Veterans Administration:

  1. The Delaware County Veterans Service Office: 740-833-2010
  2. The Columbus Vet Center: 614-257-5550
  3. Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, option 1
  4. VA Women Veterans Call Center: 1-855-829-6636

For more information about resources available to Delaware County military veterans, please visit the website: https://veteransservice.co.delaware.oh.us/.