Past Veteran Service officers
MONROE - Clayton Ruegsegger is the sixth Veterans Service officer since the program began in 1941, according to information from the Green County Veterans Service Office.
Officers and the years they served are:
• Earl L. Dockhorn, Jan. 1, 1947 to Feb. 7, 1946.
• Theodore J. Burgy, Feb. 7, 1946 to July 1, 1966.
• Olin L. Flisram, Aug. 1, 1966 to Feb. 16, 1969.
• Wilbur Deininger, May 1, 1969 to Dec. 31, 1977.
• Keith Ingwell, Jan. 1, 1978 to Dec. 1, 2009.
MONROE - For the first time in more than three decades, Green County has a new veterans service officer.
Clayton Ruegsegger began his duties Wednesday following his election by the Green County Board of Supervisors Wednesday.
Ruegsegger is familiar with the area, having grown up on a dairy farm near South Wayne and Monroe. He's a 1997 Black Hawk High School graduate.
Shortly after graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps and served until 2001. In 2003, he joined a United States National Guard unit from Iowa. Since 2004, he has spent 40 months in Iraq as a soldier and as a contractor for the United States State Department. He returned from Iraq Dec. 23.
His age and recent experience in Iraq will give him a connection to younger veterans who return.
"I think I can build a rapport with them," Ruegsegger said.
There are benefits available to returning veterans that they might not be aware of or might not think about. In many cases they don't think about those benefits, such as college or home loans, for several years. Ruegsegger wants to be able to help them make the transition from military to civilian life.
While he may be closer in age to some of the county's younger veterans, he thinks he can be a help for older vets, as well.
"I don't want them to think I'm going to forget about them," he said.
Veterans Benefits Counselor Chris Beer, who has worked at the Veterans Service Office for about 10 years, said the veterans who have met Ruegsegger have been comfortable with him.
"They've mentioned that they see a similarity between him and Keith (Ingwell)," she said.
Ingwell served as veterans officer for 31 years before he retired in December.
Ruegsegger and his wife, Christine, live in Browntown. He's a member of the Gratiot Veterans of Foreign Wars.
For more information about veterans benefits, contact Ruegsegger or Beer at 328-9415.
Clayton Ruegsegger began his duties Wednesday following his election by the Green County Board of Supervisors Wednesday.
Ruegsegger is familiar with the area, having grown up on a dairy farm near South Wayne and Monroe. He's a 1997 Black Hawk High School graduate.
Shortly after graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps and served until 2001. In 2003, he joined a United States National Guard unit from Iowa. Since 2004, he has spent 40 months in Iraq as a soldier and as a contractor for the United States State Department. He returned from Iraq Dec. 23.
His age and recent experience in Iraq will give him a connection to younger veterans who return.
"I think I can build a rapport with them," Ruegsegger said.
There are benefits available to returning veterans that they might not be aware of or might not think about. In many cases they don't think about those benefits, such as college or home loans, for several years. Ruegsegger wants to be able to help them make the transition from military to civilian life.
While he may be closer in age to some of the county's younger veterans, he thinks he can be a help for older vets, as well.
"I don't want them to think I'm going to forget about them," he said.
Veterans Benefits Counselor Chris Beer, who has worked at the Veterans Service Office for about 10 years, said the veterans who have met Ruegsegger have been comfortable with him.
"They've mentioned that they see a similarity between him and Keith (Ingwell)," she said.
Ingwell served as veterans officer for 31 years before he retired in December.
Ruegsegger and his wife, Christine, live in Browntown. He's a member of the Gratiot Veterans of Foreign Wars.
For more information about veterans benefits, contact Ruegsegger or Beer at 328-9415.