2021 Hometown Heroes

Page 10 2021 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May 27, 2021 government right after the Civil War. But the provision was vague and offered little help in telling Schaler how to go about it. It did specify that if two or more veteran organizations or posts sought to have a VAC, the county had to establish one, and had to come up with a means to fund it. Schaler visited VAC’s in other towns, talked to those leaders, and started piecing it all together. While he gets a lot of the credit for it, Schaler says many other people were involved behind the scenes including local veteran organization leaders and influencers such as Jim Harnacke, Jack Bishop and Michelle Ramlow. Over time, the mission was accomplished with the help and support of many people. A tax levy was passed by the people of Logan County, funding of the VAC, offices were established and a superintendent was hired. Schaler said it is that superintendent who has done the heavy lifting. He says that Logan County veterans are lucky to have veteran Dan Benedict on their side, working every angle to make sure that veterans get what they need and deserve. While Schaler gives much credit to Benedict for what has been accomplished in Logan County, Benedict sees Schaler as a huge advocate for veterans and an influencer in the community. “Joe Schaler is the epitome of a selfless veteran’s advocate,” says Benedict. “He was instrumental in the creation of the Logan County VAC, an organization that has helped hundreds of Logan County veterans CONTINUED u