Behind nondescript doors inside a cluster of government buildings off Chardon’s Center Street are four veterans who supported and defended the Constitution of the United States, and are eager to help others who did the same.
In honor of upcoming Veteran’s Day Nov. 11, the Geauga County Maple Leaf is doing a four-part series on members of the Geauga County Veterans Service Commission who want the community they serve to get to know them better and learn what they have to offer. Here are their stories:
Behind nondescript doors inside a cluster of government buildings off Chardon’s Center Street are four veterans who supported and defended the Constitution of the United States, and are eager to help others who did the same.
“Our mission in this office is to be a bridge between veterans and the benefits they’ve earned through honorable service,” said Michele Pemberton, Geauga County Veterans Service Commission director. “We take as much of the frustration as we can out of the process for anyone dealing with a large government bureaucracy.”
The four-person team specializes in filing claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for pension, disability compensation and burial benefits. Services are free.
“Some offices may have an attorney on staff who is a veteran. Our’s does not,” Pemberton said. “It doesn’t take an attorney to competently file a claim.”
She added, “We are not the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is an important distinction because there are many veterans who’ve had negative experiences with the VA. If you’re one of them, you are likely to avoid any office you believe is affiliated with the VA. We are nationally trained and certified veteran service officers. We have yearly continuing education requirements to keep us current on all things related to the benefits of veterans and their dependents. “
Pemberton said the VA is very responsive to claims that have excellent documentation to substantiate the claim, but there are some procedural advantages to having the assistance of a veteran service officer.
Their mission is to be a bridge between veterans and benefits they’ve earned through honorable service.
Pemberton began her own mission to serve her country in November of 1995 before graduating from high school and committing to the Army through the delayed entry program.
Born on Christmas Day 1977 in Ravenna — and youngest of four girls — Pemberton grew up on a beef cattle farm, living the typical American farm life. She participated in 4-H and showed dairy cattle.
Both of Pemberton’s grandfathers served, one in the U.S. Army and one in the U.S. Navy.
Her oldest sister served in the Army during the Persian Gulf War.
“I knew I wasn’t ready for college, but I wanted to do something that excited me, so I joined the Army July 17, 1996,” Pemberton said. “I completed basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in October 1996, advanced individual training at Fort Lee, Va., in December 1996 — where I became a 77Foxtrot petroleum supply specialist — and I signed into my first duty station, A Company (of the) 125th Forward Support Battalion (in) Fort Riley, Kan., on Dec. 26, 1996.”
As a 77Foxtrot, Pemberton operated 5,000-gallon fuel tankers providing bulk fuel to the infantry and cavalry units setting up forward arming and refuel points.
In March 1997, she volunteered to deploy to Bosnia as part of the peacekeeping mission for six months, attached to the 41st Infantry Regiment in the Army. She then went back to Fort Riley, married and moved to Fort Rucker, Ala., getting off active duty Feb. 28, 2000.
Kyle White, Pemberton’s roommate at Fort Riley, is proud of what her friend has accomplished.
“I actually met her after her tour in Bosnia as I was in Korea when she first got there,” White said. “She has been my friend for more than 20 years, as well as my husband, who is a deputy commander in Los Angeles. Michele has endured a lot of pain and adversity in her life, but still managed to raise a beautiful daughter who is headed to college, as well as her strength to keep a career and help her family when needed. I admire her and think her accomplishments should be acclaimed.”
White said they both went through trials in the army and she is happy Pemberton is using her own experience for good to help veterans in need.
“I hope one day she can help at a higher level because she would be an exemplary mentor to many,” White said. “I know Michele to be the most hard-charging veterans’ advocate there is. I have several military friends that don’t have the fortitude she has to get them their benefits, as long as they’re not lying to her, and she can tell.”
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Horne entered the Army during the Vietnam War and served with N Company Rangers, 173d Airborne Brigade, then continued to serve in various airborne, infantry and cavalry units for the next four decades.
“I retired as a command sergeant major with service in Vietnam, the Balkans (Kosovo and Serbia), Kuwait and Iraq (Operation Enduring Freedom),” Horne said.
Horne first sought assistance from the GCVSC several years after retiring. He needed surgeries for injuries that were being listed as “not service connected” and he had difficulty following the VA processes correctly.
“I called Geauga vet services and Michele had me come to the office and looked at my DD214 — a complete thumbnail record of someone’s service — and explained what needed done,” Horne said. “I quickly recognized her as a ‘subject matter expert,’ a tireless worker, and one who cares immensely about veterans and their care.”
Pemberton sought Horne’s medical reports, statements from soldiers he served in combat with and submitted information with timely results.
“Additionally, she has assisted a number of my former soldiers with the process, including my son, a wounded Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran,” Horne said. “Michele is special because she cares and treats each veteran’s issue as if it were her own. We have a deep friendship and mutual respect. I truly believe she is without equal in her expertise in all aspects of veteran’s affairs and services. Her fortitude and follow-up on issues is quite remarkable.”
When Pemberton returned home after serving her country, she was in need of a job to support herself and infant child.
“I went to (the Geauga County Department of) Job and Family Services and remember speaking to a gentleman named Tom, also a veteran and a disabled veteran representative,” Pemberton said.
He found a posting for the GCVSC secretary position. Pemberton applied and was hired.
Since then, she worked every job in the office, graduated college and became a nationally accredited service officer.
“I personally know the struggles of obtaining VA and local veterans benefits, so it is very gratifying to know that I have and can help my brothers and sisters through the ‘red tape’ of the VA to receive all that they deserve,” Pemberton said. “My staff is comprised of people who have made a career as professional military and service to veterans. It would be difficult to find a more dedicated team.”
The services at the GCVSC have a direct benefit to the entire county, Pemberton said.
“During my tenure as a service officer and the director, the number of veterans in the county has steadily declined,” she said. “However, due to the outreach and efforts of my staff, we continue to increase the amount of federal dollars brought to the county by way of compensation, healthcare and pension. Since 2010, in spite of a 33 percent decline of the veteran population in Geauga County, there has been a 77 percent increase of VA expenditures to Geauga County through 2017.”
Last year, over $27 million dollars were appropriated to veterans and the team actively seeks every veteran or dependent that is eligible for benefits
Pemberton said one of the most frustrating experiences for a veteran who is transitioning back to the civilian sector is the search for employment.
“I don’t care how many resume writing classes or transition assistance programs they attend, it’s worth nothing if employers are not capable of understanding one fundamental thing — most veterans are capable of learning any job, especially career veterans,” Pemberton said. “All they require is the opportunity and some training.”
She said many veterans are “lifelong learners” and real problem solvers.
“So please, if you’re a business owner or a larger corporation in a position to hire people, consider hiring a veteran whether they have the experience you’re looking for or not,” she said. “And compensate them at a rate that is comparable or better to what they earned in service, and consider offering them a benefit package that’s paid for. If you want to truly thank a veteran for their service, this is what I suggest.”
