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DVS eNews - Summer 2026, Volume 2 |
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One of our most important missions at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is to do all that we can to ensure that Virginia’s military veterans and spouses find meaningful and purposeful employment in the Commonwealth’s civilian workforce when they leave active duty.
Virginia’s veterans and spouses are highly skilled, disciplined, and motivated to succeed. Fortunately, with minimal investment, employers benefit greatly from bringing them into their organizations.
What’s more, Virginia has one of the youngest veteran populations in the U.S. and thousands stationed here transition from service each year. We are so glad when they and their spouses and families remain here after their separation and make Virginia their home. The Commonwealth benefits greatly from the presence of its 670,000+ military veterans and their families: not only are they fantastic employees, but their continued contributions to public service in their local communities serve as a foundation for the very fabric of what makes Virginia so special.
On Saturday, July 25, we bring attention to the importance of hiring veterans on National Hire A Veteran Day.
National Hire A Veteran Day was established in 2017 by Marine Corps veteran Dan Caporale as a call to action for organizations across America to actively recruit, hire, and retain veterans. Virginia’s state government saw the tremendous potential of hiring veterans, and ahead of this call-to-action, we created our Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program back in 2012. This unique concept brings together employers from every corner of the state to demonstrate how to best recruit veterans for virtually every occupation.
The V3 program has been a model for a successful public/private partnership and has since been emulated by many other states. Since its inception, V3 partners have been responsible for the hiring of over 180,000 Virginia veterans and military spouses.
Today, more than 3,700 employers across the Commonwealth are V3 Certified Partners who are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans. And each year, we join with our partners at the Virginia Chamber of Commerce during their annual Military and Defense Affairs Conference at our V3 Awards Luncheon to recognize the top V3 employers…from small businesses to many of the largest corporations…from local governments to state agencies…from the trades to high tech… and even colleges and universities.
Our V3 theme remains “Hiring Virginia Veterans Makes Good Business Sense” – and this is proven by how many new employers become V3 partners every day.
At DVS, we are also always looking for new ways to promote the value of hiring veterans. A few years ago, we realized that veterans with medical experience found it difficult to find similar jobs in the medical field when they transitioned. So, in 2016, working with the largest medical systems throughout the Commonwealth, we created the Military Medics & Corpsmen (MMAC) program, which recognizes the unique expertise of medically trained servicemembers and has helped hundreds find employment at hospitals and medical centers statewide.
Our V3 regional team members continue to work with partners such as Hiring Our Heroes and Virginia Works to host job fairs online and at physical locations including military bases throughout the Commonwealth.
Make sure you take advantage of our annual Virginia Veterans Virtual Hiring Fair on Wednesday, July 29. More than 75 employers will be participating and if you are a veteran, transitioning service member, or spouse looking for a new job or career, I urge you to participate. It’s free and easy to register. For more information and to register click here.
Another exceptional opportunity to network directly with employers is occurring July 30 at Naval Station Norfolk and is hosted by RecruitMilitary and DAV. To learn more, click here.
If you are an employer, I hope you will contact us to learn more about the V3 program and how you can hire more veterans. Our V3 team makes it easy to participate and there’s no cost to you or your business; find additional information at www.dvsv3.com or www.dvs.virginia.gov. Our goal is always to ensure that Virginia remains the #1 state in America for veterans and their families.
As I have mentioned in previous DVS eNews editions, I have been traveling throughout the Commonwealth over the last few months visiting our DVS offices, care centers, and cemeteries and meeting with veterans and veteran-service organizations. I recently traveled throughout beautiful Southwest Virginia and have made visits to Southside, Hampton Roads, and Northern Virginia. I’ve enjoyed learning how DVS can serve you better and I’m grateful for your feedback.
In the meantime, if I don’t have the opportunity to meet you on my travels, never hesitate to contact me directly or one of our team members at your local DVS benefits office. I encourage you to check out all the resources available on our online portal, the Virginia Veterans Network (VVN). You can also email me directly at Commissioner@dvs.virginia.gov.
I hope you continue to have a safe and pleasant summer. Let us know what we can do to improve your experience as a veteran and family member of a veteran. You served our Nation. We are here to serve you.
Very respectfully,
John Maxwell
Commissioner
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Virginia’s newest hiring initiative, Mission to Hire: Virginia 100 Veteran Hiring Pledge, launches July 24, 2026. This 100-day statewide campaign brings together agencies and community partners to connect veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with high-demand careers while helping Virginia employers access the Commonwealth’s exceptional military talent. It is led by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), working hand in hand with Virginia Works, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, and regional workforce partners across all nine of Virginia’s economic regions. The goal of this campaign is to gain 100 employer pledges to hire at least one veteran, transitioning service member, or military spouse within the campaign window. To learn more, click here or connect at thevirginia100@dvs.virginia.gov.
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If you are a Virginia veteran or military spouse or are transitioning from active duty to the civilian world, don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the Virginia Veterans Virtual Hiring Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Presented by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services’ Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program in partnership with Hiring Our Heroes, more than 75 employers from a wide variety of industries and businesses and from around the Commonwealth who are committed to hiring men and women with military experience will be looking to take you to the next step in your civilian career.
As the Hiring Fair is virtual, you can participate online from wherever you are and no travel is necessary. In the days leading up to the event, you are also invited to participate in virtual workshops focused on creating effective resumes and other job-seeking skills.
To learn more about the pre-event workshops and how to register to participate in the Virginia Veterans Virtual Hiring Fair, go to https://v3hiresjuly.vfairs.com/ today.
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The new Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) office in Chesapeake is open and ready to serve Virginia’s veterans and their family members. The new office is at 111 Mill Creek Parkway, Suite 203, Chesapeake, Virginia 23323. The office is a one-stop location for assistance with disability claims and access to an array of veteran-specific benefits, including education and behavioral health resources. The new office offers both scheduled appointments (in-person or virtual) and walk-in services.
Appointments (in-person or virtual) with a DVS Veterans Services Representative are available Monday through Friday between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. To schedule an in-person appointment please visit the Virginia Veterans Network. To schedule a virtual appointment, call 757-335-4480.
Walk-in services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday on a first-come, first served basis.
The Chesapeake office may be reached at 757-335-4480. For information regarding services that may be accessed through the new Chesapeake office or any of the more than 50 DVS operating locations across Virginia, visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.
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 Families and Scouts placing flags on the hill.
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 Governor Spanberger and Virginia War Memorial volunteer and veteran Mike Danner installing flags.
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Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger joined over 300 volunteers to help place 12,000 miniature American flags on the grounds of the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond on Friday morning, June 26 to kick-off the 8th annual Hill of Heroes.
The flags are placed on the hillsides each year to honor and remember the nearly 12,000 Virginia men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War on Terror and whose names are inscribed on the walls of the Memorial’s Shrines of Memory.
According to Virginia War Memorial Operations Director Ben King, this was the largest number of volunteers who have ever come to the Memorial to place flags for the event. He noted that with so many volunteers on hand, all of the flags were placed in the pre-gridded rows in under an hour.
In addition to Governor Spanberger, the volunteers included Virginia Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Lesley Kipling (SVDA), DVS Commissioner John Maxwell, SVDA Legislative Liaison MacKenzie Heidelmark, local community and veterans organizations, businesses and government agencies, military members in uniform, Scout troops, families with children and more.
"The flag is a symbol of what it takes for a free people to govern themselves," said Ben King in an interview with WTVR-TV CBS6. "When we honor the flag and what it represents, we fulfill the legacy our founders gave us 250 years ago.” He noted that the Hill of Heroes visual display is meant to offer visitors “calm, a sense of togetherness, a sense of legacy, a sense of inheritance and a feeling of patriotism.”
The flags remained on display until Friday, July 10 when more than 110 volunteers returned to the Memorial to retrieve and gather the flags again in record time of less than half an hour. The flags were then carried to the Memorial’s parking garage to dry out from exposure to rain and later bundled and repackaged to be used again for the 9th Annual Hill of Heroes in 2027.
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Three State Veterans Cemeteries and four National Veterans Cemeteries in Virginia will partner with the National Cemetery Administration and Carry the Load for the 2026 National Day of Service on September 12, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Volunteers are invited to participate in a coordinated headstone cleaning and grounds beautification event honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans on September 12, 2026 at 10 a.m.
The volunteer opportunity is part of a National Day of Service sponsored by the National Cemetery Administration and Carry the Load, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Volunteer events will be held at over 120 national, state, and local cemeteries across the nation.
Virginia’s State Veterans Cemeteries will join the effort by hosting volunteer service events at all three locations:
- Virginia Veterans Cemetery – Amelia, Virginia
- Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery – Dublin, Virginia
- Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery – Suffolk, Virginia
Four national veterans cemeteries in Virginia will also host volunteer opportunities:
- Alexandria National Cemetery – Alexandria, Virginia
- Culpeper National Cemetery – Culpeper, Virginia
- National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico – Triangle, Virginia
- Richmond National Cemetery – Richmond, Virginia
What Volunteers Will Do
Participants will assist cemetery staff with:
- Headstone cleaning – please bring a bucket and a soft bristle brush
- Beautification tasks that support the respectful appearance of burial grounds
- Learning about the history and significance of each cemetery and the Veterans interred there
How to Sign Up
Volunteers must register in advance. Registration is managed through Carry the Load’s volunteer portal.
To sign up:
- Visit the National Day of Service volunteer page: https://carrytheload.org/patriot-day/
- Scroll to the section listing participating cemeteries.
- Select Virginia Veterans Cemetery (Amelia), Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery (Dublin), Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery (Suffolk), Alexandria National Cemetery (Alexandria), Culpeper National Cemetery (Culpeper), National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico (Triangle), or Richmond National Cemetery (Richmond)
- Follow the prompts to complete the volunteer registration form.
- You will receive confirmation and event-day instructions by email.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome, though minors must be accompanied by an adult.
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 If you're looking for a rewarding career serving those who served our country, the new Puller Veterans Care Center is holding an Open House Hiring Event every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pre-applications are encouraged, but not necessary. There are full time and part time positions available in nearly every area: CNAs, LPNs, RNs, dietary staff, dietitians, and more.
Puller Veterans Care Center
6951 Vint Hill Pkwy
Warrenton, VA 20187
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Racing For Heroes (RFH) is a Virginia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering veterans who are coping with the visible and invisible wounds of military service. Founded in 2013 by retired U.S. Army Special Forces Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mike Evock, the organization was inspired by his own experience using motorsports to help manage the effects of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.
At the heart of Racing For Heroes is the belief that healing comes through purpose, camaraderie, and community. The organization uses motorsports as a form of alternative therapy, giving veterans the opportunity to work together as drivers, pit crew members, mechanics, and volunteers while rebuilding confidence and meaningful connections with fellow veterans.
Beyond the racetrack, Racing For Heroes offers a wide range of services, including health and wellness programs, employment assistance, volunteer opportunities, and educational initiatives. These programs are designed to support veterans in all aspects of their transition to civilian life while promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being and are completely free to the veteran.
“Our goal is to steer veterans away from conventional medicine and take a more holistic approach to their overall health and wellbeing in a way that is unique, yet highly effective,” said Joshua Babb, Director of Health and Wellness for RFH.
Racing For Heroes was selected by DVS recently as a Suicide Prevention and Opioid Addiction Services (SOS) program grant recipient. The funds they received were used to purchase transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) machines, as well as laptops equipped with the software to run the machines.
“We’ve seen direct correlation in brainwave activity before a veteran enters a racecar and once they get out of one that shows a regulation that will help those dealing with the long-term effects of operational stress, TBI, concussions, depression, PTSD, sleep disruption, substance-use challenges, and more,” said Evock. “From October 2025 to June 2026 we’ve been able to scan 1,336 people using TMS therapy thanks to the funds we received from DVS and that number will continue to climb.”
Headquartered at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia, Racing For Heroes continues to expand its reach across the country. Through innovative programming and a veteran-led support network, the organization remains committed to reducing veteran suicide, improving quality of life, and ensuring those who served have a renewed sense of purpose after military service.
To learn more about Racing For Heroes and the holistic services they provide, please visit their website https://racingforheroes.org/index.php.
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Phil Nannery
Cork City, Ireland
Please give an overview of your military service and the branch in which you served.
I joined the Army National Guard at age 20 in 2007 at the height of the Iraq War as an infantryman. Prior to that I had been a part time barista, a full time scenester in the hardcore punk scene while studying at NOVA and had travelled Europe after visiting family in Ireland. I went to Basic and Advanced Individual Training in Fort Benning, GA in 2008, then deployed to Iraq from 2009 to 2010, and Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. I didn't want to make a career out of it, so I got out in 2013 when my initial 6-year contract finished and left with an honorable discharge.
What was or were your most rewarding assignments while serving?
My two deployments, and the small amount of combat I was in. The vast majority of my time serving, and even when I was deployed was monotonous tedium, but in the brief instances of terror I got to see the very best and very worst of the human condition overseas, and that has made me appreciate everything I have on a deeper level since.
What are you doing now?
After the Army, I travelled the world and taught English in Japan for a few years before moving to Cork City, Ireland where my dad's family came from to use the GI Bill for my Masters in English in 2016.
I have been here since. I met my wife who is from Cork shortly after moving here and we now have a home and two beautiful daughters, and I am a headhunter for the construction industry. In my spare time I write poetry and build and paint miniature Knights.
What advice would you give to a transitioning service member?
Don't compare your service to others, you'll just make yourself miserable. Some deploy, some don't, some see combat, some don't, just know that whatever you did, you served your country and that counts, I am proud to call you a brother or sister. You did what you did. It mattered; now use your GI Bill benefits and get that DD-214 and chill.
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Alpha Zulu Solutions, Inc.
Co-Founder and CEO, Michael-David Komorous
Tell us about your business. What products do you sell or services do you offer?
Alpha Zulu Solutions is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) operating as a federal supply chain intermediary and AI-enabled advisory firm. We work as the compliant SDVOSB partner that large federal prime contractors are required to subcontract to under FAR 19.702 — distributing medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies (NAICS 423450), computer and peripheral equipment and software (NAICS 423430), and supporting air transportation and freight arrangement work (NAICS 488190 and 488510) into Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs supply chains.
What makes us different from a conventional distributor is the analytical layer we wrap around it. We run a private, on-premise AI platform — built and operated by our own team behind the firewall — that lets us deliver compliance analysis, policy research, and capture support at the speed and depth of firms ten times our size, without ever putting a client's controlled or sensitive data into a commercial cloud LLM. Combined with the dual Top Secret clearances our principals bring, that gives us the ability to support classified and CUI-sensitive supply chain work that most uncleared SDVOSB distributors simply cannot touch.
Where are you located in Virginia?
We are headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Our registered office and principal office are located at 8905 Glade Hill Road, Fairfax, VA 22031.
When did you establish your business?
Alpha Zulu Solutions, Inc. was incorporated as a Virginia stock corporation effective January 5, 2026, under SCC Entity ID BE21728794.
Who are the veteran owners of your business?
Alpha Zulu is owned by two combat-veteran principals on a 51/49 equity split:
- Michael-David Komorous — Chief Executive Officer and majority shareholder (51%)
- Chris Amburn — President (49%)
Both founders are combat veterans who administered, contracted for, and operated inside the same federal acquisition system the company now serves.
In which branch of service did each owner serve and during what period of time?
Michael-David Komorous (CEO): United States Air Force, November 20, 2000 to February 28, 2025 — over 24 years of service spanning Active Duty, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard. Combat veteran. Career roles included ICBM nuclear missile operator, MQ-1 Predator pilot, and C-17 Globemaster III pilot, with assignments inside the Office of the Secretary of Defense on Pentagon programming and planning, congressional engagement, and rated management of approximately 3,700 pilots in the Air National Guard. Holds an active Top Secret clearance with Special Access Program access.
Chris Amburn (President): United States Air National Guard, September 1992 to January 2021 — over 28 years of service spanning Air National Guard operations and acquisition, with concurrent civilian experience in GSA federal contracting. Combat veteran. Holds a Top Secret clearance with TS/SCI history.
Combined, the two principals bring more than 52 years of federal military service and acquisition experience to the firm.
What encouraged you to establish your business and do you have any advice for other transitioning service members or veterans who may be considering establishing a business?
Chris and I started Alpha Zulu because we kept seeing the same structural gap from both sides of the table. Federal prime contractors are legally required under FAR 19.702 to subcontract a portion of their contract value to SDVOSBs — and yet in the markets we know best, like medical equipment wholesale and federal IT, actual SDVOSB participation has stayed in the low single digits. Primes need compliant, capable partners, and qualified veterans with the clearances and acquisition experience to fill that gap are rare.
Between the two of us, we'd administered the very contracts we now compete for. It became clear that sitting on that experience instead of putting it to work was the wrong answer.
For transitioning service members thinking about the same path, a few things have stood out to us:
First, the value you carry out the gate is your context — how decisions actually get made inside the building, what compliance actually looks like, what a contracting officer is really evaluating.
That's worth more than another inch of certification stack. Lead with the problem you've personally lived, not with a generic capability statement.
Second, the paperwork pipeline is the long pole. SAM.gov registration, SDVOSB certification through VA VetCert, your CAGE code, your state corporate filings — every one of those takes longer than you think, and the doors they open don't open without them. Start them in parallel the day you decide you're doing this, not the day you find your first opportunity.
Third, get your structure right before you take on partners or contractors. The operating agreement, the equity split, the IP and clearance language — these decisions are easy to make on day one and painful to renegotiate on day three hundred. Pay a lawyer once.
Fourth, find your battle buddy. We didn't build this alone, and the reason we move at the speed we do is because the trust, the operating tempo, and the direct communication are already there from a combined fifty-plus years of military service. Veterans tend to underestimate how rare and valuable that is in the civilian sector.
And finally — Virginia is an extraordinary place to do this. The acquisition centers of gravity, the cleared workforce, the academic partners, and the state-level support for veteran-owned business are all right here. Take advantage of it.
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In each edition of DVS eNews, we profile a resident of one of our DVS Veterans Care Centers. DVS operates the Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond (SBVCC), the Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center in Roanoke (DMVCC), the Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center in Virginia Beach (JCVCC), and the Puller Veterans Care Center in Warrenton (PVCC). For more information on DVS Veterans Care Centers, click here.
Charles Robinson | U.S. Marine Corps
Puller Veterans Care Center
What military branch did you serve in? What period of time?
I served in the USMC from 1956-1986.
What was the highlight of your military career? What are you most proud of?
There were too many highlights to count. The best highlight of my military career is seeing young trainees become Marines.
What do you like about Puller Veterans Care Center?
I love the respect and professionalism that I have seen here to honor these veterans.
What advice would you give to a person considering serving in the military?
The advice that I would give someone joining the military is: to remember that they are doing a great service for their country.
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Friday, August 7 is National Purple Heart Day and the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Department of Virginia will host a special ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial honoring the estimated two million men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were wounded or killed in combat from the Revolutionary War to today and were awarded one or more Purple Heart medals.
The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory in Richmond; the public and especially Purple Heart recipients are invited and encouraged to attend.
After a welcome from Virginia War Memorial Director Dr. Clay Mountcastle, the program will include an invocation by MOPH Virginia Chaplain Brian Moore, readings from the Declaration of Independence marking America’s 250th anniversary, and the reading of Governor Spanberger’s proclamation of Purple Heart Day in Virginia.
MOPH Virginia Commander Ben King, who also serves as the Virginia War Memorial Director of Operations, will present the keynote address entitled, “Sacred Honor, Living Legacy,” followed by recognition of all Purple Heart recipients in attendance and the presentation of special Purple Heart commemorative coins to selected students and their leaders from throughout the Commonwealth.
Commander King and his fellow MOPH members will then travel north to Mount Vernon for another special ceremony at 6 p.m. on August 7 at the home of General George Washington, whose profile is depicted on the Purple Heart medal.
At this ceremony, the MOPH Virginia will announce that Citations of Honor will be presented to Virginia’s three state veterans cemeteries. Accepting these citations for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) will be DVS Cemetery Director Andre Logan; Scott Miller, Superintendent of the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia; Travis Graham, Superintendent of the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Dublin; and Angela Bufano, Superintendent of the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at Suffolk.
The official National Purple Heart Day Proclamation Ceremony will be held at Mount Vernon, on Saturday, August 8 at 10 a.m. at which the Virginia Veterans Cemeteries will be announced as the “First Purple Heart Cemeteries in America.”
For more information, please visit https://www.purpleheart.org/.
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Closing Out FY26
As we close out Fiscal Year 2026, the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation is proud to reflect on the impact made possible through the continued support of our donors and partners.
During FY26, the Foundation funded 38 credentials and certifications to support veteran career growth and employment opportunities and provided 305 laptops to student veterans and military families. Foundation funding also helped support 118 veteran families through the Virginia Veteran and Family Support Homeless Fund and 460 veteran families through behavioral and non-behavioral health services.
These numbers represent more than services provided. They represent veterans and families receiving support when other funding may not be available. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this work possible and look forward to building on this impact during FY27.
Foundation Video Coming Soon
The Foundation is also excited to share that a new video highlighting our mission and impact is currently being finalized.
Filming took place at the Virginia War Memorial and Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center and included Foundation leadership, trustees, staff, and veteran residents. The finished video will help tell the story of the Foundation, the programs we support, and the people who make this work possible.
We would like to thank Rich Woods Foto for the time, care, and creativity put into bringing this project together. We look forward to sharing the completed video soon.
Welcoming Our Newest Trustees
With the recent appointments of Amanda Brownfield and Benjamin Haas, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees is now full.
We are excited to welcome Amanda and Benjamin and look forward to the experience, ideas, and commitment they will bring to the Board. Their appointments come at an important time as the Foundation continues strengthening its operations, partnerships, and ability to support Virginia’s veterans and their families.
Virginia Veterans Tournament
The Dave Marchant Memorial Virginia Veterans Tournament will take place Friday, August 28, 2026, at Piankatank River Golf Club in Hartfield, Virginia.
Presented by the Knights of Columbus Assembly 3349, the tournament will begin with registration at 11 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at noon. The $100 entry fee includes golf, range balls, a cart, two drink tickets, and dinner. All proceeds will benefit Virginia Veteran and Family Support.
We appreciate the Knights of Columbus Assembly 3349 for supporting Virginia’s veterans and families through this event.
Thank you for your continued support of the Foundation and our mission to serve Virginia’s veterans and their families. We look forward to another year of making a meaningful impact together.
Kayla Arestivo
Executive Director
Virginia Veterans Services Foundation
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Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6 p.m.
Twenty-five years after the attacks of September 11, Lt. Gen. Bob Flowers (Ret.), former U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will reflect on one of the defining moments in American history. As Chief of Engineers, he led the Corps’ nationwide response in support of the recovery efforts following the horrific attacks.
A generation of Americans (30% of the population) has no personal memory of 9/11. The program provides historical context and an eye-witness account, while exploring the enduring lessons of leadership, service, resilience, and a nation coming together in the global spotlight.
This Leadership in America lecture will explore what we should remember from this turning point in our nation’s history and how the events of September 11 continue to shape our understanding of service and leadership today.
Register online by September 3 for your reservation at VaWarMemorial.org/LIA. Cocktail reception to follow lecture.
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 The Virginia Veteran Family Support (VVFS) East team partnered with the Western Tidewater Community Service Board's Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant (SSG FOX) to host a Step Up for PTSD Awareness Walk. The team was joined by team members from Headquarters and two SOS grantees. The goal was to complete 30 minutes of exercise to show support to the Proud, Tough, Strong and Determined as it relates to those experiencing PTSD. The walk took place indoors this year at the Boo William Sportsplex in Hampton.
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DVS Veterans Services Representative George Johnson (right) participated on a benefits claims panel at the Veterans Growing America event in Woodbridge on June 18. An open discussion about the process or preparing and submitting a VA claim from initial filing to an appeal were discussed. One on one sessions with attendees were provided at the conclusion of the panel discussion.
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 VVFS Resource Specialist (RS) Lisa Travis (left) worked with Navy veteran Christina Riggins (right) who needed a car. The veteran was commuting to Washington, D.C. from Suffolk for work and to medical appointments for her son who received a liver transplant. RS Travis worked with the E. Carrington Family Enrichment Center, which has a partnership program with Geico, and the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides for a donated car. Riggins received the keys to a 2019 Nissan Rogue on June 24 at the Car Gifting Ceremony that took place at Crash Champions in Chesapeake. The veteran was tearful and thankful.
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 Several North Region Benefits team members assisted veterans with claims and information about the many services offered by DVS at the McLean Claims Clinic at the American Legion Post 270 on June 24. Throughout the event the team met with nearly 50 veterans, with 22 veterans having never filed a claim.
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