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CommunityWest Chester, Ohio

Butler County's Veteran of the Year helps younger veterans

Air Force B-52 tail gunner Michael Barker, nominated in secret by his wife, connects post-9/11 veterans with older ones through his VFW post and Honor Flight.

By Tazzora Editorial TeamVerified · Source: WCPONov 10, 2026 · 1 min read
How to help
An older veteran in a sun hat sits in a folding chair among other visitors at an outdoor ceremony
Illustrative photo of a veteran on an Honor Flight visit to Arlington. This is not Michael Barker. Arlington National Cemetery / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

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The reporting lives at WCPO. Our summary is checked against it, and we link it on every story.

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Michael Barker is Butler County's 2026 Veteran of the Year, WCPO reported. The Air Force B-52 tail gunner, who lives in the West Chester area, was nominated in secret by his wife. Through his VFW post and Honor Flight, he connects veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, with veterans from older generations. The title is the county's award. The mission he has taken up is those introductions, so newer veterans and older ones can find each other.

For the classroom

Michael Barker of West Chester, Ohio, is Butler County's Veteran of the Year for 2026, WCPO reported. He served in the Air Force as a B-52 tail gunner. His wife nominated him without telling him. Through his VFW post and Honor Flight, he introduces veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, to veterans from earlier years. The award is the county's recognition. The work is those introductions between generations.

  1. Why might a younger veteran want to talk with someone who served decades earlier?
  2. What is different about a nomination the person did not know about?
  3. How can one post or one flight help more than one veteran?

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