GREENVILLE – Winners of the 2025 Darke County Veterans Services gun raffle were drawn, with two Darke County winners, Greenville’s Dalton Swank and Chris DeVone of Ansonia. Middletown’s Steve McFarland was the third winner in the drawing.
“We would like to thank everyone who participated in the gun raffle this year and supported the Washington, DC trip,” said Darke County Veterans Services Director/CVSO, Tom Pitman. “We are grateful for everyone in the county who either enters the raffle or owns a business and donates towards our trip in whatever way they are able.”
Greenville American Legion Post 140 sponsors the annual gun raffle in support of Darke County Veterans Services.
“Each year, Darke County Veterans Services takes local veterans to Washington, DC to see their memorials that they have earned the right to see,” said Ted Bruner, a former DCVS Commissioner and Post 140 member. “Not one penny from Darke County taxpayers is spent to send these local veterans on this trip to DC.”
Steve McFarland of Middletown, OH, a 24-year retired U.S. Navy Veteran, served in Desert Storm, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and purchased his winning ticket in Darke County.
“I knew I had to donate some money,” said McFarland. “I support veterans all the time.”
“I was almost ready to go back over to Kuwait, and they said, No, you have 24 years in, get out,” McFarland said with a chuckle. “I didn’t expect to win, I almost threw my tickets away.”
“We are grateful to everyone who supports our Veterans,” Pitman concluded.
