Rep. Miller Introduces Bill to Rename VA Clinic in Honor of Ohio Korean War Veteran

Resources / Press Share on Rep. Miller Introduces Bill to Rename VA Clinic in Honor of Ohio Korean War Veteran Sep 10, 2026 Press Veterans WASHINGTON, D.C. September 1, 2026 — U.S. Representative Max Miller (R-OH-07) introduced legislation today to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Medina County the “Leland John Codding VA Clinic,” honoring a Korean War veteran and lifelong public servant. “Leland Codding has dedicated his life to serving our country, our veterans, and the people of Medina County,” said Congressman Max Miller . “From his service during the Korean War to his work establishing the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and his decades of service in public safety, Leland embodies duty, sacrifice, and commitment to community. Naming this clinic in his honor is a fitting tribute to a man who has spent his life honoring those who served.” Codding served in the U.S. Army’s 89th Airborne Artillery Battalion from 1951 to 1952 during the Korean War. He later became an avid volunteer for the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery , working alongside fellow veteran Ralph Waite to secure its establishment in Medina County. Codding also dedicated decades to public safety, joining the Medina Fire Department in 1959 and becoming the city’s first full-time Fire Chief in 1988. He has been a member of American Legion Post 202 since 1957 and has dedicated more than 5,500 hours to the Honor Guard at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery . The legislation would designate the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic at 6374 Alder Lane in Medina, Ohio , as the “Leland John Codding Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic,” recognizing more than 70 years of service to his country, fellow veterans, and community. “Growing up, when someone would ask me who was my hero, I would always say My Dad. He was and still is my Hero. I never heard him tell someone that he wouldn’t or couldn’t help, not once. He helped neighbors, friends, strangers, and his hometown people, as well as those in other states. He taught us that we are here to serve others and make a difference and he has certainly done that. He has made an impact in our community, and I am so proud to say that he is my Dad. To have the VA Clinic named after him would be an honor that he would not have expected nor would have ever asked for. He is humble but so deserving of being honored for his contributions throughout his life. “It’s unbelievable. I just want him to be honored for all he has done for others just out of love for his fellow man, not expecting anything in return. He is one of a kind in my eyes.” – Sue Boggs, Daughter of Leland John Codding, Firefighter 7 Veterans Advocate “Naming the new Veterans outpatient clinic after my dad would be a lasting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to helping others. He belonged to so many public safety and veterans’ organizations that our family probably forgot some of them. I remember two instances where he saved fellow first responders. The first one was in the late 1960’s when there was a horrible 4th of July storm. He was on the Ohio State Patrol Auxiliary riding with a Trooper when they were trying to get people out of a flooded area. The Trooper got caught in the current and my dad was able to help him get out. The second time I was home on leave from the Navy and the Medina Fire Department was battling a major fire at the Plasticote paint factory. One of his fellow fire fighters slipped in the burning paint and my dad dragged him out. One last thing. My first job was at the Medina Theater. When I applied for the job with the owner Mr. Petrigala, I told him my name he asked if Leland was my father. I said yes and I remember to this day he said, ” If you’re half the man your father is your hired.” – Larry Codding, Son of Leland John Codding “Well to me, his son Steve, he is a man who knows no boundaries. He was born at a time when Country and Community meant everything. I will not list all the things he did or organizations he belonged to but here are a couple of things you might not know about him. He used to dive for golf balls at County golf courses to buy diving equipment so that he and a fellow Firefighter could become certified divers. They did this so they could dive for drowning victims because at that time, the County didn’t have any dive teams. The diving equipment eventually was kept and donated to Medina Fire Department. For years and years, he would hook up the speaker system at Spring Grove cemetery for Memorial Day when he was Co-owner of Medina Radio and TV. Also, Medina Radio and TV sponsored and had phone banks at the shop, Medina Radio and TV, for the Jerry Lewis Telethon. He would give up Holidays to ride shotgun as an Auxiliary Ohio State Patrolman. Growing up in Medina, just about everyone knew my dad or the Codding family. To say I’m proud of my father is an understatement, he is one of a kind! He deserves having the Veterans Affairs Outpatient