Marjorie Heilbock, left, the only female service member, served in the Navy. Heilbock stays at Lancia Villa Royale. She received a visit from volunteer ombudsman associate Becky Foster. -- Contributed

The Rev. Mike Bongart, along with volunteer ombudsman associate Becky Foster, took time out of their weekend to visit each long-term care facility in the county.

Their purpose was to recognize and pay tribute to the 39 men and woman who have served in our nation’s military and are now living in one of the nine area facilities offered.

Seven of these facilities are long-term and two are assisted living, Foster stated.

The Jefferson County Veteran Services commission purchased the reusable decals, Foster commented.

The Rev. Mike Bongart, back, took time to visit J.T. Hannan, an Army veteran who resides at Country Club Manor. -- Contributed

She added that if it wasn’t for the commission, none of this would even be possible.

The decals were then taken to each facility and placed on the veteran’s door next to their nameplate. The reasoning behind the gesture was so every serviceman and servicewoman can be identified and recognized for their service.

“I’m an ombudsman associate in Jefferson County and was proud to take the reverend around to visit the veterans,” Foster said.

Once the duo helped place the decals on every door, Foster said, “Now, anyone going into any of our facilities in the county can clearly see where our veterans are, pop their head in the door and thank them for their service.”

Foster volunteers for the Ohio Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman.

She has served in this capacity for almost two years.

The office advocates for those who receive home care, assisted living and nursing home care.

Paid staff members and volunteers work to resolve complaints veterans have regarding services. Staff members and volunteers work to assist in selecting a provider.

They also help those who need information about their benefits and consumer rights.

Working with providers, residents, families and representatives, they try to resolve any problems and concerns one has.

Bongart accompanied Foster on the trip because he currently serves as a commissioner for the veteran services commission. He also is the recipient of a purple heart, Foster noted.

“I think they related with him and he led the way with everything,” she continued.

Foster said in regards to Sunday’s visit, she believes the veterans were “very pleased and very proud to be acknowledged” in this way.

She commented that all of the veterans gave their permission to have the decals placed on the door next to their nameplate.

Each former service member spoke as to which branch of the military they once served in and recounted some of their experiences.

It is the hope of those at the service commission and ombudsman’s office that visitors will take notice of the decals when at one of the local facilities, realize a veteran is staying there and go and speak with them for a few moments.

Passers-by can simply stop and say thank you to the veterans for their service or simply say a brief “hello.”

Foster is grateful to have had the opportunity to perform tasks such as this because it always comes with the reward of being able to make a veteran happy.

She said she goes to each of the nine facilities once a month and checks to see if any of the veterans have questions or concerns.

She asks if they are experiencing any problems they want to discuss.

This is known as an advocacy visit, she said. Foster said an ombudsman serves as a “problem-solver,” and advocacy visits occur once a month.

However, a veteran does not have to wait for the monthly omsbudman visit if there is a question or problem.

Those in local facilities can call and ask that an omsbudman come to see them at their facility.

Foster said either the ombudsman or she will go and talk with the veteran.

Of the 39 veterans in long-term care facilities, one woman is among the group.

Marjorie Heilbock served in the Navy. She resides at Lancia Villa Royale.