Veterans

"We owe much to those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. It is because of their service that we have the privilege of living in the greatest nation the world has ever known. We have an obligation to keep faith with them, and make certain that we never forget the sacrifice they have made for us."

Keeping Faith with Virginia’s Veterans

Bill Bolling knows that the United States of America is the greatest nation the world has ever known.  Bill also knows that the freedom we enjoy in America today was not free.  It was earned at a terrible price and preserved by those who have served faithfully in the Armed Forces of the United States. 

As our Lieutenant Governor, Bill Bolling has stood with Virginia’s veterans and he will always do so.  Bill’s Keeping Faith With Virginia’s Veterans program will prioritize veterans’ issues, improve veterans’ services, honor Virginia veterans and protect Virginia’s military assets.

Prioritize Veterans’ Issues
To make certain that veteran’s issues receive the attention they deserve, Governor McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor Bolling will::

  • Designate a member of the Governor’s Cabinet to be the Senior Advisor for Active Duty Military Community and Dependent Affairs. 
  • Establish a Veterans’ Advisory Group, made up of representatives of major veterans’ organizations, to help evaluate current veterans’ services, best practices in other states, and identify gaps in the veterans’ support system.
  • Establish a compact with veterans to guarantee that Virginia leads the nation in its respect for service men and women, veterans and their families.

Improve Veterans’ Services
Governor McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor Bolling will also work to improve veterans’ services, with a special emphasis on the following:

  • Automated Claims Processing System
    • Work with members of the General Assembly to make this pilot software program permanent and fully implement the program statewide.
  • Statewide Coordinated Effort to Help Military Vets Find Jobs
    • Provide additional resources to help returning veterans obtain employment in Virginia.
    • Provide hiring incentives for veterans, particularly disabled veterans, applying for jobs.
    • Implement college admission policies that recognize honorably discharged veterans’ service to the nation.
    • Waive administrative fees for permits and applications for small business start ups by qualifying veterans. 
  • Burial Vault Funding for Virginia State Veterans’ Cemeteries
    • Provide burial vaults for veterans who are buried at Virginia’s veterans’ cemeteries.
  • Real estate tax relief for disabled vets
    • Pass a Constitutional Amendment to require local governments to grant real estate tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans.
  • Support the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
    • Continue funding for the Wounded Warrior Program, which provides assistance for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).   
  • Homeless Veteran’s Initiative
    • Review the current levels of services provided to homeless veterans in Virginia and evaluate the need for additional services.  
    • Initiate a Homeless Veterans Program, pursue federal grant money and work with the private sector to see that these veterans are provided for. 

Honoring Virginia’s Veterans

Governor McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor Bolling will honor Virginia’s veterans by:

  • Continuing the Wall of Honor, honoring Virginians who have died in the Global War on Terrorism, and making the Thursday preceding Memorial Day an official statewide Day of Remembrance.
  • Supporting the Virginia War Memorial’s efforts to expand and modernize its facilities.
  • Proposing legislation to establish the Honor and Remember Flag as the official flag to remember Virginians who have been killed in the line of duty.

Protect Military Assets in Virginia

The McDonnell/Bolling administration will be proactive in identifying strategies to retain military operations and facilities currently located in Virginia, and identify additional military operations and facilities that can be relocated to Virginia.