Our History
The Allen County Veterans Memorial Foundation was originally incorporated as the LaFayette Jackson Veterans Organization on February 8, 2008. It was established as an unincorporated veterans community service organization on July 4, 2005 in the village of LaFayette, Ohio.
The idea to form the organization came as a result of the vandalism of the Civil War Monument in LaFayette, Ohio that occurred over the Memorial Day weekend of May 2005 by three youths in Jackson Township. Five Jackson township veterans considered this a treasonous act and decided to form the veterans organization as a response. It was formed as an autonomous committee under the auspices of the LaFayette-Jackson Historical Society.
The organization formed a color guard and provided services to the Village of LaFayette, Ohio for the Memorial Day parade. Later it participated in other events in Allen County, Hardin County and Mt. Giliead, Ohio in Morrow County for the dedication of the Morrow County War Memorial. The Color Guard took first place for Color Guards in the Labor Day Parade in Lima, Ohio in 2006. Bugler services were also provided for sounding TAPS at burial services and memorial events.
In January, 2008, the organization decided to break away form the LaFayette-Jackson Historical Society and file articles of incorporation. It continued to provide services to the local community and the LaFayette-Jackson Historical Society.
By late summer of 2008, the organization's activities and participation by its' members diminished and the organization became inactive.
Five years from the date of incorporation when it was time file the statement of continued existence to the Ohio Secretary of State, The most recent commanding officer was petioned to allow for amending the articles of incorporation and to surrender all assets to the control of the statutory agent for the purpose of forming the Allen County Veterans Memorial Foundation. A resolution was approved and filed with the Ohio Secretary of State along with amended and re-stated articles of incorporation to rename and change the purpose of the LaFayette-Jackson Veterans Organization to the Allen County Veterans Memorial Foundation. The Amended Articles were approved by the Ohio Secretary of State on November 13, 2012.
The first meeting of the Allen County Veterans Memorial Foundation was held on March 16, 2013 at the LaFayette Community Center. New bylaws were approved and a new board of directors was installed. Former Allen County Commissioner Dan Reiff was an an observer and adviser during the proceedings.
Application for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status was filed and approved in 2014 retroactive to May 15, 2011.
