ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP – Benjamin M. Schwartfigure Sr., executive Director & County Veterans Service Officer of the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission, said a Veterans Time Capsule sealed on June 26 was more than a container.
“It’s a message – a message to those who will stand in our place in the year 2076 on the year of our nation’s 300th birthday,” he said. “It’s our way of saying we were here, we served, we remembered and we cared enough to preserve our legacy for you. Tonight, we honor our past, acknowledge our present, and send forward a piece of ourselves to the future.”
The time capsule will be maintained in the VSC Community Room until its unveiling in 2076, when it will be opened on June 26 – 50 years from now.
The “Honoring 250 Years: Veterans Time Capsule Ceremony” was held at the VSC building at 1709 E. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula, and sought to preserve the stories, memories, and legacy of today’s veterans for future generations, and honor service, sacrifice, and patriotism to connect today’s veterans with tomorrow’s Americans, according to a news release about the event.
Schwartfigure welcomed all who attended the ceremony.
“On behalf of the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission, we want to thank you for joining us for this meaningful moment in our county’s history,” Schwartfigure told those attending the event. “Today, we gather to close and seal our 50-year time capsule, a collection of stories, artifacts and reflections that represent who we are as a veteran community in 2026.”
Anna Allshouse, the board president of the VSC Board of Commissioners, shared some remarks.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be here today with the Veterans Service Commission to help celebrate our great nation’s 250th birthday,” she said.
She thought it was exciting to be part of the sealing of the time capsule.
“One can only wonder what the future holds, and the conversation when the capsule is opened in 50 years,” she said. She thanked Schwartfigure and the staff of the VSC for all they do for the veterans of the county and those across the state. “They are truly a dedicated team,” she said.
Ashtabula County Commissioner J.P. Ducro IV provided a proclamation from the commissioners in honor of the ceremony.
“We really appreciate the partnership we have between the county and the Veterans Service Commission,” he said. He was excited about the progress the VSC has made with its new building and the impact it has made.
“Thank you for that service you provide,” he said.
Ducro read the proclamation into the record.
It reads, in part: “this time capsule is placed with great respect and gratitude for those who answered the call to serve, protecting the freedoms and values that define our nation.”
Signed by all three commissioners, the proclamation notes that the time capsule is intended as a message across generations, “preserving a moment in time and conveying our deep appreciation to those who have served and expressing the hope that future generations will continue to honor their legacy.”
The commissioners further stated in the proclamation that “we send this message forward 50 years in time to the veteran community and citizens who will one day open this capsule to know that, in 2026, the people of Ashtabula County remembered their veterans with gratitude, honored their sacrifices and remain committed to supporting those who served our nation.”
One by one, the items for the time capsule were placed inside as people walked up to do the honors.
“Before we seal the capsule, we’re going to formally recognize each item being placed inside,” Schwartfigure said. “These contributions reflect the organizations, people and values that define our veteran community today.”
The items included the current edition of the VSC newsletter along with a current office pamphlet, business cards from each member of the VSC team, a Rite of Passage flier, a photograph of the VSC team and a newspaper article commemorating the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new VSC building. Allshouse placed the items into the capsule.
In addition, the Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Officers contributed a current newsletter, an organizational coin, and a commemorative coin from the association board of directors president, Tom Lucas, who also serves as a senior county veterans service officer with the VSC. Lucas put the items in.
Schwartfigure said Shane Graham, a VSC driver and administrative assistant and the “brainchild” of the event, placed into the capsule a birthday card to America signed by the VSC staff.
According to Schwartfigure, it recognized America in 1926. He described it as “a piece that highlights notable events, cultural moments, and the cost of living from that year, offering future generations a window into what life was like exactly 150 years before this capsule will be opened.”
A current edition of the Gazette was also placed into the capsule.
There were also many more items put into the time capsule.
Here is the complete list, as provided by the VSC
• A current edition of the VSC newsletter, capturing VSC programs, mission, and service to veterans across Ashtabula County, along with a current office pamphlet, business cards from every member of the VSC team, a Rite of Passage flyer, a photograph of the VSC team, and a newspaper article commemorating the ribbon‑cutting ceremony for this facility. These items are being placed into the capsule by the current VSC board president and former executive director, Anna Allshouse.
• The Ohio Association of County Veterans Service officers has contributed a current newsletter, an organizational coin, and a commemorative coin from their association president, Thomas Lucas Jr., who also serves as a senior county veterans service officer with the Ashtabula County VSC. Mr. Lucas will be placing these items into the capsule.
• VSC Administrative Assistant and driver, Shane Graham, is placing into the capsule a birthday card to America, signed by all the VSC staff, recognizing America in 1926, a piece that highlights notable events, cultural moments, and the cost of living from that year, offering future generations a window into what life was like exactly 150 years before this capsule will be opened.
• Representatives from the major newspapers in the county will place their respective publications into the capsule. Gazette reporter Eric Hrin will be placing a current edition of the Gazette, and Star Beacon reporter Christopher Gillett will be placing a current edition of the Star Beacon.
• The Geneva American Legion, George Call Post #124 has contributed a complete roster of their membership, as well as a history of their chapter. These items are being placed into the time capsule by their Post Judge Advocate, current VSC Board Secretary and USMC Sergeant Major (ret.) Richard Arndt.
• The Ashtabula American Legion, Dewey Howlett Post #103 has contributed a letter to future Legionnaires, a written history of their post, and a photograph of their namesake, Dewey Howlett. These items are being placed into the capsule by Post 103 Commander and VSC driver, Robert Casto.
• The Conneaut American Legion, Cowle Post #151 is contributing a commemorative coin, honoring all who served. The coin is being placed by Post member Adam Dixon.
• Ernie Barbie, current member of the In‑Country Vietnam Veterans, has contributed a collection of meaningful items: five photographs—one of Gary A. Pratt, founder of the In‑Country Vietnam Veterans; one featuring Gary Pratt and Charles McQueen; one of Edwin Harcourt, treasurer of the organization; and two photographs of the Wall that Heals, the mobile, scaled replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They are also contributing a life member plate, along with their articles of incorporation and a current member roster.
• Timothy Dibble, commandant of the Marine Corps League Private Henry Kalinowski Detachment #782, is contributing two Marine Corps League coins, a Detachment patch, and a letter to future comrades.
• On behalf of the Conneaut Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #2836, Chief County Veterans Service Officer Libby Jenkins is placing two coins recognizing the nation’s 250th birthday along with a current roster of their organizational members.
• A current cost-of-living report to show how the economy has changed in 50 years and a current listing of the federal government succession in command in accordance with the Presidential Succession Act, along with a roster of Ohio’s state government leadership, Congressional and Senatorial representatives, the Board of County Commissioners, and county executive officials is being placed by Gregory Elliott.
• The Disabled American Veterans, Bob Swanson Chapter #39 contributed a DAV coin and patch as well as a letter to their future comrades, signed by chapter commander, Roger Lynch.
• On behalf of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Ashtabula Chapter OH57, Carol Hoyt is placing a coin in recognition of all Blue Star Mothers and the children they represent across all branches of service.
• County Veterans Service Officer Aimee Borcicky is contributing the book “1976 Reflections of a Special Year” to help future generations reflect on the vast societal changes that will have taken place over the 100 years leading up to the capsule’s opening in 2076.
• County Commissioner J.P. Ducro IV provided a photograph of the three current Ashtabula County commissioners.
At the end of the ceremony, Shane Graham also placed a picture of the VSC volunteer drivers into the capsule.
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