Where has the time gone?  Not only is 2025 coming to an end, but this opportunity for me to work with this organization, and serve Virginia’s veterans and families will also end next month with the inauguration of our new governor and her administration. Don’t get me wrong, it’s time for me, and the Department of Veterans Services will be well led by a new leadership team, and Virginia will continue to be the best served state for our transitioning service members, veterans and their families. But this has been a privilege I will not soon forget. I am so proud of the team I have gotten to serve with.

The goals were both audacious and simple – work to make this the best state for veterans and their families to live, work, and raise their families; the easiest state to transition; serve each stage of a veterans journey, in each region of our diverse state; connect them with all of our services and programs; and involve a portal that can reach transitioning service members and families wherever they are, deployed, at sea, or just more interested in “logging on” than “driving to.”

Without a doubt, the most fulfilling part of this job has been traveling across the state to meet with you. VFWs, Legion Posts, Fleet Reserve Clubs, veterans events, town halls, bars and community centers, amazing ceremonies honoring our veterans, holidays, and services to honor those that we’ve lost too soon. I thank you for the introductions, for welcoming me, and for the “hard, but honest questions.” And for sharing your experiences, your challenges, and what we’re not doing.

A very close second to meeting you and your families, has been going around the Commonwealth to “my” 50+ offices/installations to meet with the over 1,000 professionals that make up the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. I can’t begin to tell you how amazing they are. They define selfless servants. Nothing is more exciting to me than hitting the road to meet with them, and hearing them talk about helping YOU. And I know it’s not easy. The system that’s set up has it’s complications; but no one is better at navigating the national system. They clearly are better than most. I have flat-out loved being among them. Please let them know they’re appreciated. It’s not perfect…but they come to work every day…FOR YOU. Right after my note, we have a little video tribute that should give you some insight.

In my very first month, I remember getting a call from a very frustrated veteran in Northern Virginia: “…why should I stay here?”  He complained about the social environment, things going on in schools, politics, free parking in another state for veterans, and no taxes on retirement.  It became a long-winded session, without an “ask.” And when he finally paused, I said “no other state has this organization, with these programs, and locations across Virginia to listen and offer assistance.” Of course, every state is working on their own state-wide programs to serve and retain veterans; but today, none quite matches Virginia. While I am biased, the 8 national surveys conducted over the past 15 months make a strong argument to support this:

• Virginia #1 in three, more than any other state;
• Virginia top 5 in two others, and top 9 in three others
• No other state was in top 15 in all surveys

Here’s what your DVS has achieved:

The Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) What started as an idea of how we could make it easier for veterans and family members to find all the information they need in one online location instead of having to search the web was the basis for VVN, our online portal for all things veteran centric. VVN was created for veterans by veterans and since its inception just a year ago boasts over 58,000 registered users with more joining every day.  Visit it today and tell us what we can add next!

Veteran Employment The DVS Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program continues to be the best in the U.S. for assuring veterans, spouses, and transitioning service members find civilian employment in most any job category and wherever they live in the state. Over 176,000 veterans have been employed since its inception. In the past year, we have added Virtual Job Fairs state-wide via our VVN.  We have assistance through your TAP classes, HIRE VETS NOW, and Hire Our Heroes in coordination with our regional organization. We offer assistance with resume writing, relationship development and networking, reskilling and education assistance.

Providing Career Mentors for Veterans & Active-Duty Spouses DVS strengthened its relationship with ACP (American Corporate Partners), an organization of many of America’s largest corporations to provide one-on-one mentors at no charge to help veterans and spouses create a tailored action plan to build their networks, find their dream career and get hired and promoted. This year, we added over 1,000 more ACP mentors.

Reduction in Taxation of Military Retirement Pay I am proud that as I assumed the role of DVS Commissioner,  Governor Youngkin fulfilled his pledge to reduce state taxes on military retirement pay. The legislation was passed by the General Assembly which was a step in the right direction to prove that Virginia remains the #1 most veteran-friendly state in America.

Behavioral Health & Suicide & Opioid Addiction Prevention This year DVS partnered with Cabana Mental Health Services to provide free, confidential mental health counseling and support for all Virginia veterans, plus National Guard and Reserve members, their spouses and caregivers. Our Suicide Prevention and Opioid Addiction Services (SOS) program also provided financial grants to many community-based organizations providing mental health and other services for veterans and their families across the state.

Strengthening VMSDEP Working with the Governor, General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Education, and our state colleges and universities, additional funding was allocated to continue to offer free education and training programs for the children of veterans killed or disabled in contact through the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).

Opening The Puller Veterans Care Center We officially opened our beautiful Puller Veterans Care Center in Fauquier County. Named in honor of three esteemed Virginians – USMC Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, USMC Lt. Lewis B. Puller, Jr. and former Virginia State Senator Linda Todd “Toddy” Puller – this residential skilled nursing, memory care, and short-term rehabilitation facility joins our other DVS veterans care centers – Sitter & Barfoot in Richmond, Davis & McDaniel in Roanoke, and Jones & Cabacoy in Virginia Beach – in providing state of the art care for Virginia veterans.

Let me leave you with one lesson I have learned from the thousands of veterans I have met during these past few years: as much as we are all as unique as a fingerprint, defined by different services, different experiences from different generations and battles, conflicts, challenges, and yes – injuries and scars.  Some have served in peace, others in war, some for forty years, others four.  Some seem unfazed, others still struggle, as do their families. But we also are of the same “tribe”. Regardless of service, grunt, sailor, officer, enlisted, warrant, guard, recalled reservist, Coastie…We all raised our hands and pledged to serve this nation, and carried the prayers of a nation wanting only to live in peace and freedom. They counted on us…every one of us. That makes us a “forever community.” Like family, when one of us is suffering, it affects another. I ask you all to think about this community. Reach out to your shipmates, or battle buddies, a squadron mate, or another veteran in your Legion Post or your neighborhood.  Make sure they’re ok.  Stay connected.  Let them know there’s a DVS and people here that can provide help. We can’t help if we don’t know. 

For 98 years now, Virginia has had an organization to serve our veterans and families.  If we do it well, and you and your families can thrive in your post-service lives, we have a better chance that America will have our young men and women choose to serve and stand the watch over our nation’s freedom and security – perhaps for another 250 years. What’s more valuable than that!

I am proud of all that we have accomplished, but I know there is always more to do to serve our veterans and families. We’re already working on the next group of advancements. Keep sharing your ideas, your suggestions and even your criticisms. The next leadership team will appreciate it! 

The key to this mission is to stay connected to our veterans and families throughout the state. Two years before service members consider retirement or separation, I hope you – and your spouse, if you have one – get to know us, and help think through the challenges you will face, and how we can help you “win” at transition and employment; or get the appropriate education services to a career that fits you. Six months before you transition, you need to understand the benefits available to you…that you have EARNED. Thousands of transitioning service members and veterans every year struggle because they are unaware of their earned benefits. I call this financial illiteracy. Please don’t become part of that statistic. Reach out to us. Our team is the best in the nation. And when you struggle, and almost all of us do, reach out as early as you can. Tough times happen today for many of us. We have programs and assistance for those times.

Please email me at Commissioner@dvs.virginia.gov. I promise I will read your comments and respond. And anything sent after 15 January, I know the new Commissioner will be happy to respond to.

May this holiday season be your happiest and best ever! May God continue to bless you, your family, all our veterans and all our men and women currently serving in our armed forces, our Commonwealth and our beloved Nation today and in the year ahead.

Chuck Zingler (USN, Ret.)
Commissioner

Despite a sudden unexpected cold snap, more than 700 people filled the Heilman Amphitheater for the 69^th Annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony which was held on November 11 at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.

Attendees included keynote speaker Governor Glenn Youngkin and Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, Representative Jennifer McClellan, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) Commissioner Chuck Zingler, other state and federal government officials, veterans and their family members and patriotic citizens.

Thousands more Virginians watched the live broadcast of the ceremony on WTVR-TV CBS6 in Richmond and livestreamed on WTVR.com and WTKR.com.

Virginia War Memorial Director Dr. Clay Mountcastle kicked off the ceremony by welcoming the attendees and introducing DVS Commissioner Chuck Zingler to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Combined Northside High School Chorale and 8^th Grade Chorus from Roanoke then sang the National Anthem.

Dr. Mountcastle next introduced Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Craig Crenshaw, who emphasized the achievements of the past four years in promoting programs and helping pass legislation to better the lives of Virginia’s veterans, transitioning service members, and their families.

Secretary Crenshaw then introduced keynote speaker, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who spoke about the importance of remembering the heroic actions of all our service members and ensuring they receive proper care and the benefits they earned when they return home. He noted that one in every ten Virginians are veterans – one of the highest number of veterans per population size of any state.

The Governor said he is very proud that so many programs and initiatives were implemented during this administration including tax relief for retired veterans, renewed educational funding for the dependent children of veterans killed or disabled while serving, the addition of another veterans care center, and the creation of the Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) for veterans and their family members.

“My friends, we have a standard of excellence that we must always maintain, because our veterans deserve our thanks,” Governor Youngkin said, adding that Virginia must remain the #1 state in America for veterans to live, work and raise a family.

Following the singing of “On Veterans Day” by the Northside High School Chorale and 8^th Grade Chorus, Dr. Mountcastle announced the Virginia War Memorial’s 2025 Military Family of the Year – the Gardner family of Caroline County who were in the audience. He noted how many members of the family are military veterans and how many remain serving.

Next, Dr. Mountcastle announced the winners of the Virginia War Memorial's 2025 Veterans Day Student Essay Contest and asked them to stand and be recognized. The middle school winning essay was written by Eliana Berkoff, an 8^th grade student at Lunsford Middle School in Loudoun County. The high school winning entry was submitted by Sara George, a 12^th grade student at Gretna High School in Pittsylvania County. (More about these essay winners below)

The Northside High School Chorale then sang the “service medley” – the official songs of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard and veterans of each branch stood as the song of their branch was sung. The Chorale then closed the ceremony with a special musical rendition entitled “Bless Our Troops.”

To view a replay of the 69^th Annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony, click here.

On Veterans Day November 11, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) held a ceremony at DMV Headquarters in Richmond to announce the placement of new Purple Heart recipient reserved parking spaces at 16 DMV office locations throughout the Commonwealth.

“On Veterans Day and every day, Virginia is proud to honor all who have served our country, especially those wounded or killed in combat,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III. “These parking spaces serve as a visible and powerful reminder of their courage and sacrifice, and ensure their contributions are never forgotten.”

“This isn’t just a parking space—it’s a lasting expression of our deep respect for the service members who have worn our nation’s uniform,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey. “The DMV is committed to serving every customer with dignity and every time a Purple Heart recipient parks here, we hope they feel the gratitude of all Virginians.”

“These spaces are not just conveniences,” said Ben King, Virginia War Memorial Director of Operations and Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Department of Virginia. “They are physical symbols of a bond forged in sacrifice, service, and the cost of freedom—a bond that began with Washington and continues in our communities today.”

In addition to the Richmond headquarter location, Purple Heart recipient special reserved parking signs are also being unveiled at DMV offices in Alexandria, Chesterfield, Fairfax Braddock, Fairfax Westfields, Franconia, Hampton, Manassas, Norfolk Military, Norfolk Widgeon, Roanoke, Sterling Free Court, Tysons Corner, Virginia Beach Buckner, Virginia Beach Hilltop and Woodbridge. Locations were selected based on the number of Purple Heart recipients residing in these communities.

Closing out 2025 with gratitude and momentum

As we wrap up 2025, the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation is grateful for the generosity that helped make this year a success.

We extend our sincere thanks to the George C. Marshall Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and Dominion Energy for their combined contributions of more than $50,000. These gifts provide a meaningful boost as we close the year and will help strengthen the programs and services supported by the Foundation across Virginia.

Support like this underscores the power of partnership and generosity, ensuring critical resources remain available to veterans and their families when they are needed most.

As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded that giving reflects gratitude, community, and shared purpose. Looking ahead to 2026, we are inspired by what lies ahead and remain committed to expanding impact and honoring those who have served.

Thank you for being part of this mission. We wish you a joyful holiday season and a hopeful start to the new year.

Kayla Arestivo
Executive Director
Virginia Veterans Services Foundation