New veterans services director finds purpose in protection

When it comes to describing new Holmes County Veterans Services Director Dan Stackhouse’s desire to serve others, one word springs to the forefront. That word is protector.

Stackhouse is approaching his new role as director in the identical manner in which he served during his three tours in Iraq: protecting people he loves.

“I’m very protective of our veterans,” Stackhouse said.

That passion may well come from his relentless desire to serve his country.

During his time with the United States Army, Stackhouse serve in Baghdad, Iraq, where he spent three tours from 2008-10 and 18 months in downtown Baghdad searching out roadside bombs, one way he served the safety of others.

“We pretty much sat with our feet hanging out of the vehicle, looking down the road ahead of the transport to locate trip wires, copper wires, bombs and anything else that was out of place,” Stackhouse said.

Serving in that capacity was as intense as it sounds, Stackhouse noting he lost two friends and had two others injured while serving.

In addition to serving in Baghdad, he also served 12 months in Mazol, Iraq, where he was stationed atop a high hill that overlooked what was formerly the ancient city of Nineveh, where God protected Jonah many times including in the belly of a huge fish.

Stackhouse said both his faith and desire to serve and protect others are instrumental in his life, and he will bring that same passion to serve others to his new role as Holmes County Veterans Services director.

“I’m excited about the possibilities, I’m excited about the future and I’m very excited about being able to work with our veterans and to grow and develop relationships with them,” Stackhouse said. “Holmes County is a wonderful community and a great place to be, and I’ve already learned so much from our coffee group mornings. We’ve had 50-70 veterans attend, and it’s been a great way to get to know many of them.”

Stackhouse said his biggest priority in working with the veterans is a simple one, that being to listen to their desires and needs and help set in motion ways to aid with those requests.

“Our veterans need to have their voices heard,” Stackhouse said. “They are a very important part of our community, and building relationships with each of them simply by listening to them is the best place for me to start, so that is where I’m going to invest much of my time.”

He said he is eager to aid the veterans in their ongoing effort to build the veterans monument on Glen Drive.

As a veterans services officer in Ashland County, Stackhouse said he helped bring in close to $5 million in new money to the county, and he said when he saw the opening in Holmes County, he knew he wanted to apply.

“I’ve always wanted to become a director and develop my own office and my own way of doing things, and I jumped at the chance to come to Holmes County and work with the great veterans here,” Stackhouse said.

Stackhouse’s first day in his new role as director was Dec. 18, 2023, and he continues to get accustomed to working with Holmes County veterans as he settles into his new role.

“It’s been wonderful so far,” Stackhouse said. “I’ve already met many wonderful people and have begun building relationships, and I’ve especially enjoyed getting to know our veterans.”

Born and raised in Ashland County, Stackhouse served in the U.S. Army from 2005-11.

After retiring from the Army, he attended Ashland University, where he earned degrees in multidisciplinary studies in business management, social work and supply-chain management.

His previous work history saw him working in the private business realm, where he was able to connect with many veterans, and he said that inspired him to explore options in how he could continue to serve veterans.

“I just fell in love with the idea of working with veterans because I know what kind of sacrifices they have made in serving our country in the name of freedom,” Stackhouse said. “It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was what I wanted to do.”

For years Stackhouse committed to serve his country on the front lines to ensure the rights of freedom.

Now he has turned his attention to serving and protecting his fellow veterans in a new and exciting capacity.

The monthly veterans coffee breaks are held the third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the American Legion Hall in Millersburg.