Suttle steps down, Hoskins steps in at county VSO

0

After a total of seven and half years of service to veterans, 69-year-old Barb Suttle has retired from the Highland County Veteran’s Service Office.

“I have a big house now since my daughter and grandchildren have moved on,” she said. “It’s a big shock to go from five people in the house to just me and the cat.”

Her plans are to get her home at Rocky Fork Lake ready for sale and downsize to a smaller house. Though she intends to stay in the Hillsboro area, she said most of her family has relocated to Texas.

Stepping up to fill Suttle’s shoes is Cailin Hoskins, who still has her military-issue desert tan combat boots since she is currently serving in the Army National Guard, and will muster out in March.

“I’m in air defense and just got home back in the spring,” she said. “My unit was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.”

The Middletown native now lives in the Leesburg area with her husband of two years, Spec. Tully Hoskins, who will be returning to civilian life in December.

“Tully and I actually met while we were both in the military in the same unit,” she said. “He’s from this area and we decided we wanted to live here as well.”

In her new role, Hoskins will be helping area veterans sort through the paperwork to secure the benefits and services they are entitled to, such as pension benefits for widows, help for veterans who are struggling financially and service related claims for illness and injuries.

Veterans can reach her by email at [email protected] or by phone at 937-393-8686.

As for Suttle, one of the first items on her checklist is to ignore the alarm clock.

“One of the first things I’m going to do is sleep in,” she said.

Incoming Veterans Service Officer Cailin Hoskins, left, is pictured with Barb Suttle, who retired this week from the same position at the Highland County Veterans Service Commission.
https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2018/11/web1_Hoskins-and-Suttle.jpgIncoming Veterans Service Officer Cailin Hoskins, left, is pictured with Barb Suttle, who retired this week from the same position at the Highland County Veterans Service Commission. Tim Colliver | The Times-Gazette

By Tim Colliver

[email protected]

No posts to display