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DVS eNews - Summer 2026, Volume 3 |
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Every August here in Virginia we take time to celebrate and honor not just our military veterans but the family members and friends who take care of our wounded, injured, ill and elderly veterans during Hidden Heroes Month.
Unlike our veterans, caregivers usually don’t have caps, jackets or t-shirts proudly proclaiming their service. These quiet caregivers work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week bathing and feeding our heroes, dressing wounds, administrating medications, and providing love and emotional support. Most caregivers consider the challenging duties they perform as acts of love and their patriotic duty, and sometimes caregivers won’t label themselves as such. Because of their focus on the person in their care, many will allow only their closest family and friends to see the true toll of caregiving.
August is Hidden Heroes Month. Through our Virginia Veteran and Family Support program, team members have worked with the national Elizabeth Dole Foundation to help caregivers receive not only the recognition they deserve but the federal, state, philanthropic, local and community resources available to them.
If you are a caregiver, and you’d like to learn more about the resources that exist to support you, know that DVS team members are here to help you connect with them.
And, on the behalf of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, I’d like to extend my tremendous gratitude and personal thanks to all our “Hidden Heroes.”
Earlier this month, I joined in honoring those injured in combat at the inspiring Purple Heart Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial. I also look forward to remembering the Virginians, and all, who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 during the Commonwealth’s Patriot Day Ceremony on September 11 at the Memorial. It is hard to believe that this is the 25th anniversary of that terrible day; please join us if you can.
On September 10, DVS will be hosting the Southwest Virginia Veteran Benefits and Resource Fair in Lebanon at the Russell County Conference Center. This will serve as an exceptional opportunity for veterans and their families to get face-to-face assistance with, and learn more about, VA disability claims and appeals, VA healthcare enrollment, education and employment initiatives and veteran and family support programs.
Serving you…our veterans, your families, and our transitioning service members…is our most important mission at DVS. In the meantime, if I don’t have the opportunity to meet you on my travels, never hesitate to contact me directly (commissioner@dvs.virginia.gov) or one of our team members at your local DVS offices. Also, please check out all the resources available on our online portal, the Virginia Veterans Network (VVN).
May you continue to enjoy your summer, enjoy the Labor Day holiday and prepare for the busyness that comes with fall. Let us know what we can do for you and your families.
Very Respectfully,
John Maxwell
Commissioner
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DVS will host a Veteran Benefits and Resource Fair, Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Russell County Conference Center in Lebanon. All veterans of any era, active-duty service members, Guard and Reservists, and their family members in the Southwest Virginia area are invited and encouraged to attend and participate.
The event is free and DVS team members will be on hand to meet one-on-one with attendees to help them learn about and apply for the many federal, state, and community benefits they qualify for and earned from their military services. Topics to be covered include submitting U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims, healthcare enrollment, available education and housing benefits, survivor and dependent benefits, and more.
“No veteran should have to struggle through a complicated benefits system on their own. Every application represents a lifetime of service, and every veteran deserves someone who will take the time to listen, explain the process, and advocate on their behalf. This unique opportunity affords veterans access to individualized support and helps remove barriers that too often prevent veterans from accessing the benefits they've earned," said DVS Commissioner John Maxwell.
The Russell County Conference Center is located at 139 Highland Drive, Lebanon, Va. 24266. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required as walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.
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The State Fair of Virginia and Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company are seeking nominees for the 2026 Virginia Veteran Farmer Recognition Award.
According to the Census of Agriculture, Virginia is home to nearly 7,700 farmers with military service who operate over 7,000 farms – about 21% of the Commonwealth’s farms across roughly 1.2 million acres.
“This contest seeks to celebrate veterans’ resilience, dedication, and the unique perspectives they bring to agriculture,” explained Marlene Jolliffe, State Fair executive director. “The State Fair of Virginia Veteran Farmer Recognition Award is an opportunity to honor the stories of veterans who have found purpose and fulfillment in farming. By sharing their experiences, we can inspire others and foster a greater understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by those who have served our country.”
This is the second year the State Fair of Virginia is presenting this award. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) was pleased to join the State Fair of Virginia staff and representatives of Virginia Farm Mutual Insurance at the inaugural award presentation last year.
Nominations can be made by family and friends, or veterans can nominate themselves. Nomination questions will reflect on the experiences of veterans who have embraced farming as a second career or who paused their farming to serve in the military and then returned to it. Essays should focus on challenges faced during the transition from military to civilian life; the lessons learned through farming; and the impact of agriculture on their personal and community well-being.
The contest is open to all Virginia veterans who are currently engaged in farming. Nomination forms can be found here 2026 VETERAN FARMER AWARD. The deadline to nominate a veteran farmer is Sept. 1. One winner will be selected and recognized on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 12:30 p.m., at a special ceremony held during the State Fair.
The State Fair of Virginia will be held September 25 through October 4 at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell in Caroline County. For more information, visit https://www.statefairva.org/.
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Veterans across Northern Virginia: join us Wednesday, September 16th for Career Forward: Veteran Transition Summit & Career Fair, a one‑day, hands‑on event built for veterans and transitioning service members ready to take the next step in advancing their careers. Hosted by Marymount University in partnership with Virginia Works, this Summit is designed to help you turn military experience into civilian career skills, and it’s completely free.
Throughout the day, you’ll learn practical strategies from career experts and apply them in real time through breakout sessions, guided exercises, and practical workshops. Plus, don't miss out on the opportunity to connect directly with 20+ hiring employers during the lunchtime career fair! These organizations all have open roles and are committed to recruiting veteran talent. Bring your resume and explore multiple post‑service career pathways across a variety of industries.
The agenda includes featured speakers such as Gorick Ng, career advisor at Harvard University and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘙𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴: 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘖𝘧𝘧 𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. He’ll help demystify the unspoken rules of civilian work, along with sharing concrete strategies for navigating a job search and advancing your career. Ted Adair, Founder & President of The Oath & Oak, will lead a workshop focused on sharpening AI skills for today’s civilian workplace. You can also choose from breakout sessions designed to give you practical skills and real‑time support. Every attendee will leave with a personalized 30/60/90‑day career action plan designed to help organize next steps and keep momentum going after the event. Veteran‑serving organizations will be on site as well, offering tools, programs, and support that help strengthen the transition journey beyond employment alone.
Come enjoy a full day of learning, connection, and career building on Marymount’s campus in Arlington, VA — with complimentary breakfast and lunch provided.
Register here to secure your spot and make September 16 a turning point in your civilian career journey.
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The Virginia War Memorial hosted two Teacher Institutes this summer in Richmond.
More than 45 teachers from around the Commonwealth attended the free sessions.
The first session was a two-day workshop June 24-25 entitled “Teaching With Family History” and the second session was a three-day workshop July 14-16 entitled “Yesterday and Tomorrow: A Look Inside the Global War on Terror.”
The workshops featured lectures and presentations from a number of noted historians, authors, and military veterans and from Virginia War Memorial team members Director Dr. Clay Mountcastle, Education Director Jim Triesler, Archivist Sylvia Marshall, and Education & Outreach Programs Manager Lizzie Oglesby.
These annual Teacher Institutes are open to all public, private, and homeschool teachers in Virginia and are offered free of charge with support from the Virginia War Memorial Foundation. Teachers who attend the Institutes are eligible to earn professional recertification points.
For more information on the Virginia War Memorial Summer Teacher Institutes, visit https://vawarmemorial.org/learn/schoolteachers/professionaldevelopment/.
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Calling all middle and high school age students! Enter the Virginia War Memorial’s 2026 Veterans Day Student Essay Contest.
This annual competition is open to all middle school students (grades 6-8) and high school students (grades 9-12) enrolled in any public, private, or homeschool living in the Commonwealth. One winner will be selected from all entries in each age category.
This year’s essay topic is “A Virginian Who Served in the Military Who Inspires Me.” Students may consider writing about a member of their family, of their community, or any Virginian who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from World War II to present day.
The two winners will be invited to come and participate in the Commonwealth’s 70th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Each winning student will also receive a $500 cash prize donated by the Virginia War Memorial Foundation.
Essays should be 500-750 words in length and utilize interviews and primary sources whenever possible. Students may contact Sylvia Marshall, Virginia War Memorial Archivist (Sylvia.Marshall@dvs.virginia.gov) for additional resources regarding Virginia military veterans. Entries will be judged on clarity of thought, adherence to the contest theme and guidelines, proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Detailed information regarding rules, guidelines and how to enter are available online here.
All entries must be submitted through the Virginia War Memorial website by 11:59 p.m., Monday, October 12, 2026. For additional information or questions, please contact Elizabeth Oglesby, the Memorial’s Education Outreach & Programs Manager, at Elizabeth.Oglesby@dvs.virginia.gov or by calling 804-786-9700.
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We sadly acknowledge the passing of Captain Eugene “Red” McDaniel, one of the two Virginia Vietnam War heroes for whom the Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center in Roanoke is named, at his home in Mount Vernon on August 7 at the age of 94.
Captain McDaniel attended the renaming ceremony of the formerly named Virginia Veterans Care Center in December 2023 along with U.S. Army Colonel Paris Davis where they were honored by Governor Glenn Youngkin and other state government leaders for their exemplary service to the Commonwealth and our Nation.
A Navy pilot, Captain McDaniel was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967 and held as POW for six years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. After his release in 1973, he returned home to Virginia Beach to his wife and three children. He was awarded the Navy’s highest award for bravery, the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. He was the author of the book, “Scars and Stripes”, which chronicled his experiences as a POW.
After returning home, he returned to flying combat aircraft and served as Commander Officer in USS Niagara Falls and USS Lexington. After retirement from active duty in 1981, Captain McDaniel served as the Navy/Marine Corps Liaison in the U.S. House of Representatives and founded and served as president of the nonprofits- the American Defense Institute and American Defense Foundation. He dedicated four decades of his long life pursuing the truth about men considered Missing in Action and who never returned home.
“America and Virginia lost one of its greatest military heroes with the passing of Captain McDaniel,” said John Maxwell, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. “Despite the terrible torture he experienced as a POW, he returned home to continue to serve as a Navy officer, to dedicate his life to his fellow service members, and to advocate for a strong American defense. It is fitting that his name and legacy will live on at the Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center and among all who knew and admired him.”
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dorothy, three grandchildren, three children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, August 22 at Alexandria Presbyterian Church; he will later be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
For more details, please click here for his obituary.
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The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is seeking to award $4 million in grants to support veteran suicide prevention and opioid addiction services and other programs throughout the Commonwealth for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027.
In 2022, DVS developed the Suicide Prevention and Opioid Addiction Services (SOS) Program to help end the epidemic of veteran suicide and opioid addiction and was tasked to build federal, state, and local partnerships to accomplish this life saving mission. DVS awarded $4 million in grants to local organizations in FY 2026.
The SOS program aims to enhance understanding of suicide prevention and opioid addiction among service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF) and build community support capacity to ensure that professional help and assistance is widely available for Virginia’s military-connected population.
The SOS program serves as the steward of these grant funds and is now formally soliciting a Request for Applications (RFA) to expand community-based interventions, peer-to-peer networks, and harm reduction services across the entire Commonwealth.
“Preventing suicide and opioid addiction among our military veterans is a major mission of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services,” said John Maxwell, DVS Commissioner. “We are proud to continue to partner with state agencies and community-based organizations who receive these valuable grant funds to continue to provide our veterans, active-duty service members, and their families with support.”
Grant funds will be used to promote the use of evidence-based practices addressing suicide prevention and/or opioid addiction for SMVF in the following priority areas: outreach to identify veterans at risk of suicide; baseline mental health, suicide risk, and substance use screening; education on suicide risk and prevention for families and communities; clinical services for treatment; case management services; peer support services; assistance in obtaining any VA or other federal, state or local benefits the veteran may be eligible to receive, including emergent needs; evidence based nontraditional and innovative prevention therapies; caregiver support; rural SMVF services; homeless veterans; justice involved veterans; overdose prevention; or supportive services for military life to civilian life transition. The maximum amount available per grant is $200,000.
Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include Virginia-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), Community Service Boards (CSBs), tribal organizations, state and local government entities, and active for-profit subrecipients administering 2026 community grant funding. For all non-profit organizations, proof of an IRS 501(c)3 designation is required at the time of application. To be considered for selection, applicants are to submit a complete response to the RFA no later than September 30, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. EST.
Application Submission Instructions: To be considered for selection, an applicant must register at https://grants.dvs.virginia.gov/index.do first to access the grants application. The SOS grants portal uses a federal unique entity identifier (UEI) number and an Employer Identification Number (EIN). To request a UEI number, visit https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration. Application assistance tutorials can be found on the SOS grants portal under announcements: https://grants.dvs.virginia.gov/index.do.
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 The Puller Veterans Care Center in Fauquier County, which opened in December 2025, is now at 50% occupancy and offering state-of-the art skilled nursing care for military veterans in the Northern Virginia area.
As more and more veterans and their families are becoming aware of this care center, which is located just off Route 29 on the former Vint Hill Farms military installation in Warrenton, the Center is actively seeking additional medical professionals and especially CNAs and RNs to join its staff.
As the Puller Veterans Care Center is owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), CNAs, RNs and other full-time employees are employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia and eligible for full health, retirement and other benefits. Plus, all employees can enjoy the satisfaction of assisting the residents who are true American heroes and serve those brave men and women who unselfishly served our Nation.
“We are very proud of the team we are building here at Puller Veterans Care Center and are looking for more team members to help us expand our services,” said Executive Director Brock Bakos. “If you are currently a CNA, RN, or medical professional in the Northern Virginia area or a family member or friend of one, I encourage you to learn about the job opportunities here at the Care Center. Come and help us make a difference.”
Or contact:
Beth Rinker
Director of Human Resources
Puller Veterans Care Center
6951 Vint Hill Parkway
Warrenton, VA 20187
Phone: 540-525-1458
Email: Beth.Rinker@dvs.virginia.gov
To learn more about the Puller Veterans Care Centers and the three other DVS veterans care centers, please visit https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/healthcare/veteran-skilled-nursing-facilities-state-veterans-homes.
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 Purple Heart recipients participate in ceremony in Virginia War Memorial Shrine of Memory.
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 MOPH Virginia Commander Ben King presents Purple Heart commemorative coin to child during ceremony.
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Over 75 veterans – many of them Purple Heart recipients – DVS Commissioner Maxwell, and other patriotic citizens gathered in the Shrine of Memory-20th Century at the Virginia War Memorial (VWM) in Richmond on Friday, August 7 to commemorate Purple Heart Day.
The ceremony was hosted by the Military of Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Department of Virginia. National Purple Heart Day is commemorated each year to recognize and honor the millions of men and women wounded or killed in combat from the Revolutionary War to today and received one or more Purple Heart medals.
Ben King, Commander, MOPH Department of Virginia, emceed the program which included a welcome from VWM Director Dr. Clay Mountcastle. Purple Heart recipients Eddie Hinton, Al Hockaday, and Phil Koran also spoke. The theme of the program was “Sacred Honor, Living Legacy.” Nathan Poovvathukaran, a student at Glen Allen High School and Virginia War Memorial volunteer read “A Prayer for Wearers of the Purple Heart.”
Al Hockaday announced that the MOPH would be presenting Citations of Honor to Virginia’s three state veterans cemeteries later that evening at Mount Vernon, the home of General and President George Washington, whose image is etched on every Purple Heart medal. More details on this presentation in the article below.
He noted that Virginia’s state veterans cemeteries were the first in the Nation to be recognized with this honor. DVS Cemetery Director Andre Logan and Superintendents Scott Miller (Amelia), Angela Bufano (Suffolk) and Travis Graham (Dublin) would be on hand at Mount Vernon to accept the Citations.
A highlight of the Richmond ceremony was the passing of the new MOPH commemorative coin by Purple Heart recipients to all attendees at the event. After the presentation, Commander King asked the recipients to “think about this coin as something that you use to identify the extraordinary in someone else. Live the legacy and pass it on.”
To learn more about the Military Order of the Purple Heart, visit https://www.purpleheart.org/.
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 Virginia’s three state veterans cemeteries were officially designated as Purple Heart cemeteries – the first veterans cemeteries in America to be so honored – as part of the commemoration of National Purple Heart Day.
On August 7, Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) presented Citations of Honors to the leaders of the three Virginia state veterans cemeteries at a special ceremony held at the Texas Gate at the home of George Washington, Mount Vernon, in Arlington for their “stewardship of these sacred grounds.”
Accepting these Citations of Honors were Andre Logan, DVS Cemeteries Director; Angela Bufano, Superintendent of the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk; Scott Miller, Superintendent of the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia; and Travis Graham, Superintendent of the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin.
According to Ben King, Commander of the MOPH, Department of Virginia, these designations mean that the grounds of these cemeteries will perpetually honor all the Purple Heart recipients interred at each and establishes August 7 as Purple Heart Day to be commemorated on site every year.
“This special designation is designed to endure and it connects directly to the Purple Heart Tribute Mission of giving students a way to research a recipient, visit the gravesite, and preserve the story through the Veterans Legacy Memorial, and formally recognizes the partnership of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and the Military of the Purple Heart, Department of Virginia,” said Commander King.
To learn more about Virginia’s state veterans cemeteries, visit https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/veteran-cemeteries.
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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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The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) has established a new Honor Guard Grant Program pursuant to the 2026 Acts of Assembly, Chapter 65 (HB108) to support eligible Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) that provide military funeral honors for Virginia veterans.
Subject to the availability of funds, DVS will award grants to qualifying VSOs to help offset costs directly associated with honor guard burial details, including training, transportation, food, equipment, and supplies. The 2026–2027 appropriation (Chapter 1, 2026 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I, Item 457) provides $25,000 for the program in state Fiscal Year (FY) 2027.
Eligible VSOs must be a 501(c)(19) nonprofit or federally chartered VSO operating in Virginia that provide military funeral honors to veterans in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Please visit the DVS website for details, including eligibility requirements, application instructions, the application timeline, and grant guidance. Grant recipients will be required to document their use of funds for approved honor guard-related expenses at the conclusion of FY 2027.
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The Virginia War Memorial will host the annual Commonwealth’s Patriot Day Ceremony on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 11 a.m. to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
This special and solemn ceremony will honor and remember the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks – including many fellow Virginians – and recognize the courage of the first responders and military personnel who worked to save lives at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, and the crash site of the downed jet aircraft in rural Pennsylvania.
The ceremony will feature distinguished speakers, patriotic music, and special tributes including the reading of the names of those that lost their lives here in Virginia at the Pentagon.
Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend and participate in the Commonwealth’s Patriot Day Ceremony and also to spend the day at the Virginia War Memorial to meet men and women who continue to serve our communities and nation, see the Memorial’s 9/11 exhibit in the Galanti Education Center, and see the Memorial’s documentary film, “A New Century: A New War” which will be shown continuously in Reynolds Theater. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, please visit www.vawarmemorial.org or www.dvs.virginia.gov.
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For women veterans, the transition from military service can bring unique challenges, including isolation, stress, and the difficulty of finding spaces where others truly understand their experiences. Waves of Change Coalition, a Virginia Beach-based organization founded by licensed clinical social worker Carly Jones and healthcare operations and marketing consultant Kate Coutherut, is taking an innovative approach to supporting women veterans by combining mental health services with sound healing, wellness coaching, and the therapeutic benefits of being in and around the water. Through its Third Wave Thursdays program, Waves of Change is providing a fully funded, all-inclusive experience for women veterans in Hampton Roads.
Both co-founders are Virginia Beach natives and have military ties – Coutherut grew up as a military child and Jones is currently a military spouse of an Army combat veteran.
Launched in June 2026, Third Wave Thursdays brings women veterans together for regular surf sessions through a partnership with VB Surf Sessions. Participants begin with grounding and somatic practices before heading into the water for surfing, water-safety instruction and skill development.
The program is designed to be more than simply learning to surf. Jones explained that the experience helps participants reconnect with their bodies, build confidence and learn that feelings such as adrenaline do not necessarily have to signal danger. “You’re learning to feel safe in your body. You’re learning that you can feel adrenaline and it doesn’t have to mean danger,” said Jones.
Grant funding from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services has helped Waves of Change turn the Third Wave concept into a consistent program and reduce some of the financial barriers that can prevent veterans from participating. Grant funds are supporting surf lessons and instructors, additional time in the water, board rentals, snacks, sunscreen and participant parking.
The funding also helps provide access to psychotherapy, peer support, sound healing and health and nutrition coaching, creating the blended, holistic approach that is central to Waves of Change.
The program is also building something that extends beyond the weekly surf sessions: community. Participants connect through a private online group, share resources and experiences, and are encouraged to continue the relationships and skills they develop together outside the program. Waves of Change currently has approximately 20 women veterans participating, with additional members in its online community. Jones hopes Third Wave will eventually expand to serve more veterans, military spouses and families, while continuing to make innovative wellness and mental health resources accessible to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience them.
To learn more about Third Wave Thursdays and the work that Waves of Change Coalition is doing, visit https://www.wavesofchangecoalition.com/.
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Jesse J. Citizen, Jr.
Dumfries, Virginia
Please give an overview of your military service and the branch in which you served.
I began my journey in the United States Air Force in December 1973, enlisting as a medical and mental health technician specializing in rehabilitation. After earning my commission through Officer Training School in 1979, I transitioned into the world of ground-based and airborne radar weapon systems.
Throughout my 32-year career, I held various staff and operational roles, including 1,700 flying hours as an operational aircrew member onboard the NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). My path eventually led me to the Pentagon, where I served as the Military Assistant to the DoD Inspector General and the Air Force Chief Information Officer. I concluded my active-duty career as the Chief of the Modeling and Simulation Policy Division at USAF Headquarters.
After retiring from active duty in 2006, I continued to serve as a civilian leader for 11 years, notably as the Director of the Defense Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. My work in international science and technology has been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from the Technical Cooperation Program and the Defense Order of the Cloud Medal from the Taiwan Ministry of Defense.
I am also proud to be part of a military family; my wife, Dr. Marilyn Peppers-Citizen, is also a retired Air Force Colonel.
What was or were your most rewarding assignments while serving?
Two roles stand out as particularly transformative. First, serving as an operational aircrew member with NATO AWACS. It profoundly broadened my perspective on multinational collaboration; there is a unique bond formed when you depend on and trust international allies in a high-stakes warfighting environment.
Second, serving as the Military Assistant to the Air Force Chief Information Officer provided me with a high-level understanding of the Command, Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) and Cyber domains. Both roles taught me that success is rarely a solo effort—it is built on regional and global partnerships.
What are you doing now?
I remain deeply committed to public service and community leadership here in Virginia. I currently serve as:
• Chair, Prince William County Veterans Commission
• Member, Prince William County Trails and Blueway’s Council
• Director, Virginia Bicycle Federation Board of Directors
• Director, Major Taylor Cycling Club, Northern Virginia Board of Directors
• Strategic Advisor, Future Kings STEM programs (serving youth in grades 6–12)
• Member, First Mount Zion Baptist Church Constitution and Bylaws Committee
Most importantly, I enjoy supporting my wife in her professional and personal activities and spending quality time with my grandchildren, where I happily answer to the title of "Share Ride Grandpa."
What advice would you give to a transitioning service member?
Start early and stay flexible. I spent 32 years on active duty knowing that, eventually, that chapter would end. About three years before my retirement, I began focusing on my resume, researching locations, and identifying how I wanted to contribute to a community after the uniform.
Take full advantage of every transition program offered by the Air Force and sister services. More importantly, lean on your network. Seek advice from those in the private and public sectors—and those who are self-employed—to understand the different paths to success. If you stay focused and remain adaptable, your second act can be just as fulfilling as your first. Continued success and Aim High!
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Left to right: Eric Hepburn, Principal, CFO; Captain Richard D. "Rick" Hepburn, PE, USN (Ret.), Chairman of the Board; Debby Hepburn, Rick's wife, Board Member; Samantha Hertel, Principal, CMO; Scott Hepburn, President and CEO.
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Hepburn and Sons LLC
Principal and Chief Marketing Officer, Samantha Hertel
Tell us about your business. What products do you sell or services do you offer?
Hepburn and Sons LLC is a Virginia-based small business that serves as a trusted advisor to the American maritime industry, Department of War (DoW) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We provide expert advisory and engineering services plus advanced technology development to enhance U.S. naval warfighting capability. Core offerings include Advisory Services (strategic analysis, counseling for government and industry, expert witness services on ships/ship systems/shipyards in over 80 cases since 2013), Mission Systems/Engineering Support (naval architecture, naval engineering, ship integration, safety, program coordination, test planning), and Technology Development (technology maturation, transition campaigns, dual-use commercialization; expertise in areas such as naval power systems, shipboard electrical engineering, electromagnetic pulse/EMP, additive manufacturing, materials science, cybersecurity, and related defense technologies). Clients include DoW agencies (e.g., DTRA, ONR, NAVSEA, SCSC Wallops Island, AFGSC, AFRL, etc.), DHS, and commercial industry. The company holds government contracting vehicles such as SeaPort-NxG, GSA MAS, and MDA SHIELD IDIQ.
Where are you located in Virginia?
Headquarters: 9200 Church Street, Suite 302, Manassas, VA 20110. (The company is expanding with a new ~27,000 sq ft corporate headquarters in Innovation Park, Prince William County, expected operational by summer 2028.) Two other office locations are located in Colonial Beach, VA and Atlantic, VA.
When did you establish your business?
July 2010. Founded by the Hepburn family in Manassas, VA.
Who are the veteran owners of your business?
The veteran owner is retired Navy Captain Rick Hepburn (Chairman). The firm is family-owned/operated by the Hepburn family (Rick and Debby Hepburn, with sons Scott Hepburn as President/CEO and Eric Hepburn as Principal/CFO, and daughter Samantha Hertel in as Principal/CMO). Veterans comprise approximately 40% of the current workforce.
In which branch of service did each owner serve and during what period of time?
Rick Hepburn, U.S. Navy 1976-2001: Graduated U.S. Naval Academy in 1976 (B.S. Ocean Engineering); later earned M.S. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering and Naval Engineer degree from MIT (1988). U.S. Navy (Engineering Duty Officer). Key assignments included Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Bath, Maine (oversaw DDG 51 Flight IIA contracts); Chief Naval Architect for combatant ships (NAVSEA 05D); extensive drydocking expertise (100+ evolutions). Retired as Captain (O-6) after a full career, then held defense industry executive roles before founding the company. Former President of the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association and the American Society of Naval Engineers.
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?
Rick and his family established the firm after his Navy retirement and subsequent defense-industry roles. The company was founded on the family motto “Keep Trust” (drawn from a Biblical principle and long family heritage) and core values including patriotism, integrity, independence, thought leadership, work ethic, tradition, and employee development. Rick maintains a deep, ongoing passion for naval engineering and supporting the Navy/warfighter after decades of service and industry work. He wanted to keep applying specialized expertise (ship design, drydocking, naval engineering, etc.) in a way that directly advanced U.S. maritime and defense capabilities rather than stepping away from that mission. Rick was especially keen to take the opportunity to do this as a family enterprise, involving his wife and children and building something lasting rooted in tradition, patriotism, integrity, work ethic, and independence.
Rick’s advice for transitioning service members includes:
- Build on the passion, expertise, discipline, and networks you developed in service, especially if you have deep domain knowledge (like naval engineering) that can fill real gaps for the Navy, DoW, DHS, or related industry. Continue serving the mission in a new way.
- Gain additional industry experience if needed after transition and take advantage of all programs afforded to assist military veterans with transitioning, then leverage your unique insights as a veteran who understands the challenges facing the government and warfighters. Focus on delivering high-quality, trusted technical advice and solutions rather than just competing on volume.
- Stay mission-oriented and long-term: prioritize supporting the warfighter and building lasting capability over short-term gains. Develop people, pursue thought leadership, and maintain independence and high standards.
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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.
Dennis G. Trivette | U.S. Army
Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center
What military branch did you serve in? What period of time?
Sgt. First Class E7 U.S. Army Korean War
What was the highlight of your military career? What are you most proud of?
The thing that stands out the most is being captured by the Chinese and released by the President of the United States. The President (Eisenhower) was there when I was released and I got to meet him. Trivette was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured during the Korean War on 14 July 1953 and was held until his release on 24 August 1953 after the signing of the Armistice.
What do you like about Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center?
I like everything. It's just a nice place to be and be with other old veterans.
What advice would you give to a person considering serving in the military?
Learn all you can while you can.
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This past May, friends, family and community supporters gathered at the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech for the 10th Annual Wayne Zellers Memorial Wounded Warrior Tournament, continuing a decade-long tradition of supporting Virginia veterans and their families.
The tournament was founded by Wayne Zellers, a U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran and avid golfer, with a desire to give back to fellow veterans and families in need. What began as one veteran’s commitment to helping others has grown into an annual tradition that continues to make a meaningful difference throughout Southwest Virginia.
Since its inception, the Wayne Zellers Memorial Wounded Warrior Tournament has raised more than $80,000 in support of veterans and their families. Proceeds from the tournament support the Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) program, helping provide assistance to veterans and families facing financial hardship and other urgent needs.
Although Wayne has passed, the mission he started continues in his memory. His wife, Sheila Zellers, along with the tournament’s planning committee and officers, has helped carry forward Wayne’s commitment to serving others and ensuring the tournament remains a lasting tribute to his life and service.
Wayne’s legacy also continues through a scholarship awarded to an incoming Virginia Tech Cadet in his honor, extending his commitment to service to the next generation.
The Virginia Veterans Services Foundation extends our sincere appreciation to Sheila Zellers for continuing what Wayne began and for keeping his dedication to veterans at the heart of this special event. We are also grateful to the tournament’s organizers, golfers, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and the staff at the Pete Dye River Course for their continued generosity and support.
Ten years later, Wayne’s vision continues to bring people together for a common purpose: helping Virginia veterans and their families when they need it most. We are honored to be part of that legacy and thankful to the Zellers family and everyone who has helped keep Wayne’s mission moving forward.
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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 Kayla LaFond (left), DVS Military Spouse Liaison, co-presented the workshop “Polish Your Power” with Nicole Pallai Green (right), Operations Associate at ACP, at MilspouseFest hosted at Naval Station Norfolk earlier this year. The duo authentically spoke about their journeys as military spouses including challenges faced, but also how they used resources to get them out of their "lows". LaFond encouraged all spouses in the room to connect with one resource they met at the event and empower them to ask for help when they need it.
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The Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program supported the Hire Vets Now Hiring Event at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall earlier this year. Events like these provide transitioning Service Members, Veterans, military spouses, and employers the opportunity to connect before military separation, creating pathways to successful civilian careers. Liz Healey (right), DVS V3 Transition Resource Coordinator speaks with an attendee about the resources available to the military community. Every conversation has the potential to become a career.
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 On June 12, the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program supported the Hire Vets Now Hiring Event at Marine Corps Base Quantico, bringing together transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, employers, and community partners to create meaningful career connections. Katie Spinazzola (left), Northern Virginia V3 Transition Coordinator, speaks with a transitioning service member to assist him with a meaningful civilian career after separation. These events are about much more than filling jobs, they're about building relationships, strengthening Virginia's workforce, and ensuring our military community has access to meaningful careers after service.
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 The Virginia Veteran Laptop Project (VVLP) has now expanded to its second 4-year college. The University of Mary Washington received 15 laptops for veterans, military spouses, and active-duty service members who are currently enrolled in their program who qualify to receive one. Pictured above from left to right: Zuri Polk, DVS Military Education & Workforce Initiative (MEWI) Manager; Charles "Trey" Blosch, Army veteran; Sarah Bradshaw, military spouse; and Ryan Hastings, Military-Affiliated Student Support Specialist at University of Mary Washington. The MEWI team is looking forward to expanding this program to more 4-years colleges and universities in the future.
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