Copy
Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS)
Winter 2020 eNews, Volume 2
View this email in your browser

Commissioner’s Corner

Recently, a DVS team member encountered a gentleman who noticed and remarked on the DVS pin on his lapel.

“I see you work for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. How does your agency help veterans?” he asked. “I am 74 and retired from the Navy a few years back. I am planning to retire soon from my current job. I have never looked into or applied for any veterans benefits that may be available to me. Should I?”

My colleague answered with an emphatic “yes, you should!” He told the veteran that DVS offered many programs and services for veterans and family members. He suggested that the veteran contact his nearest DVS benefits office for an appointment to learn more.

The point of this story is that DVS is here to assist veterans of all ages in accessing the veterans benefits they earned through their military service.

There are over 700,000 veterans living in the Commonwealth – one of the largest percentage veteran populations of any state. They range in age from under 20 to over 100! One of the largest groups is those who served during the Vietnam era and are now in their 60s, 70s, and better.

DVS and partner agencies can connect veterans and their families to benefits, programs, and services geared to their age and their stage in life. For younger veterans, these may include employment assistance through the Virginia Employment Commission. It may mean helping connect them to a college, university, or vocational training program where they may use their GI Bill® benefits. For some, it may mean helping them overcome PTSD, behavioral health issues, and financial problems with help from our Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) program.

For veterans of any age who are leaving active duty and those in transition, our Virginia Transition Assistance Program (VTAP) program and our Hire VETS Now partnership is here to help find suitable jobs in the civilian workforce. Many find positions at one of the nearly 2,000 Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employers who are committed to hiring veterans and military spouses.

Women veterans now comprise nearly 15% of our veteran population in Virginia – over 114,000 and growing. DVS recognizes that women veterans face unique challenges and opportunities and we provide special programs to help them succeed, including our annual Virginia Women Veterans Summit.

As veterans age, their needs for medical and rehabilitative care increase as they do in the general population. Veterans Service Representatives at 34 DVS Benefits Offices are ready to help them connect to health care and medical services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. For those needing long-term or memory care, DVS provides these services at our veterans care centers in Richmond and Roanoke.

Military service involves great risk, with some making the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. We honor them at the Virginia War Memorial. We tell of their service and sacrifice, and that of our Veterans, to help educate and inspire all Virginians, especially our youth. 

For those veterans who were wounded, injured, exposed to a toxic substance, etc. while on active duty, DVS provides free assistance and acts as their advocate to help them apply for the federal benefits they earned. Contact one of our 34 DVS Benefits Offices for help. For those suffering from homelessness or who are incarcerated, DVS and partners help with their transition journey to help them reestablish their lives.

For those veterans in the twilight of their lives, DVS provides a final resting place of honor, dignity and reverence at our state cemeteries in Amelia, Dublin and Suffolk.

DVS is special place. All of us truly care about Virginia veterans and their families and are dedicated to assuring that each veteran, whatever their age, receives the recognition, appreciation and benefits that he or she earned for serving our Nation. Our mission is simple: to continue to be the #1 state for veterans in America.

If you are a veteran yourself, a family member or a friend of a veteran, please help us spread the word that DVS is here ready to serve with operating locations across the Commonwealth.

Thank you. As always, I welcome your comments, observations, questions and suggestions.
 


Steven J. Combs, Acting Commissioner
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Tuskegee Airmen Panel Discussion
Virginia War Memorial
Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Grand Opening Ceremony for the Virginia War Memorial Expansion
Saturday, February 29, 2020


Click here to view upcoming V3 Veteran Employment Events.
 

Brett Reistad
U.S. Army
 
Please give an overview of your military service.
I served in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1978 as an infantry-mortarman assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at historic Fort Myer, VA, adjoining Arlington National Cemetery. “The Old Guard” is the Army’s official memorial affairs unit and escort to the President. My ceremonial specialty was working with the ceremonial cannons of the Presidential Salute Battery. Its mission is firing salutes at general officers’ funerals, presidential inaugurations, arrival and departure of foreign heads of state/military VIPs, and other high-profile ceremonial functions as required. We balanced this with maintaining tactical proficiency in the field with our infantry MOSs. I got to experience the transition between the Vietnam-era draft and the all-volunteer Army. I completed my enlistment at the rank of sergeant and chose to make Virginia my home.  

What was or were your most rewarding assignment or assignments while serving?
Serving during our nation’s Bicentennial and participating in a great many ceremonies in its support. One such memorable event was performing with the Royal Military Tattoo – a gift to the nation by Britain's Queen Elizabeth. The Tattoo staged musical and ceremonial performances at Wolftrap Farm Park in Northern Virginia. I fired a cannon in concert with a musical number requiring its accompaniment and met many of their service members. I also participated in firing the 21-gun salute for Presidential Inauguration of Jimmy Carter in January 1977 immediately following his oath of office. That was one cold day! I enjoyed our annual performances of the 1812 Overture at the Washington Monument grounds with the U.S. Army Band, and “Flags-In” at Arlington National Cemetery in advance of Memorial Day. 

What are you doing now?
My wife Jessica and I raised a family of four in Manassas, I retired after a 26-year career with the Fairfax County Police Department, and since 2003, have worked as a field service coordinator in Virginia and West Virginia for a federal grant-funded law enforcement assistance program. I became active in the American Legion in McLean, VA soon after leaving the service and served in many capacities over the last 39-years, including state commander and national commander – the latter during the Legion’s centennial in 2018-19. I’m adjusting to being home and getting back to work after a year of full-time service in that capacity. I previously served for two-terms as the Legion’s representative to Virginia’s Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, ending my second term as vice-chairman.  

What piece of advice would you give to a transitioning service member?
Begin your search long before you leave the service – pursuing an advanced education, preparing a resume, attending job fairs and especially networking whenever you can. Also, be sure your medical records are up to date, complete and have in-hand when you leave. You are blessed with many more veteran resources than I had access to, such as the Virginia Department of Veteran Services. Good Luck!
 
DVS Partner – the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC): Working Together to Help Justice-Involved Veterans
 

Scott Richeson, Deputy Director
Division of Programs, Education and Reentry
Virginia Department of Corrections
 

DVS works closely with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) to help veterans, both while they are in the state correctional system and as they prepare to reenter society, to receive the benefits they earned while serving in the military.  We recently spoke with Scott Richeson, VADOC’s Director of Programs, Education and Reentry, and David Wingfield, a Marine veteran, and VADOC Veterans Program Manager, about the VADOC-DVS partnership. 

How many offenders are housed in state correctional institutions and how many of these are veterans? How does VADOC identify those that are veterans?
As of December 2019, there were approximately 29,000 offenders in state correctional institutions, of whom 1,939 are classified as having served in the military. In addition to those incarcerated, an additional 65,000 offenders are under supervised probation or parole. Of these, approximately 4,600 are veterans. This means that around 6.7% in the total population are veterans. Veteran status is ascertained as part of the general personal information obtained from each individual in the system during the intake process and at various other times while offenders are housed. 

On average, how many veterans are released from VADOC facilities annually?
This number can vary but in 2019, 246 veteran offenders were released.

What pre-release and post-released partnerships does VADOC use to assist veterans with re-entry in their communities?
VADOC works most closely with the DVS Justice Involved Veterans Program, especially with Program Manager Donna Harrison. Along with DVS, other partners involved include the Virginia Employment Commission, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Justice Outreach staff, and local Veterans Services Organizations including the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Of primary importance is the VA’s Veterans Re-entry Search Services (VRSS) system.  In addition to working with Veterans Justice Specialists employed in DVS’ Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) program, we work with the DVS Benefits Services program on veterans benefits claims.  An important part of this is the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams, which are done in collaboration with the VA prior to re-entry. The goal is to assist these veterans with benefit claims both while they are incarcerated.
 
The VADOC–DVS partnership has been a tremendous success. DVS staff members are knowledgeable and skilled regarding the VA benefits for which veteran offenders may qualify. This partnership makes our efforts easier and more successful – not only to assure that those veterans reentering society receive the benefits they earned but also that their family members also are aware of and receive these benefits.
 
VADOC works closely with DVS staff in holding veteran resource fairs at correctional facilities and conducts one-on-one interviews and consultation with incarcerated veterans. The Re-entry Roadmap for Veterans Incarcerated in Virginia, a 77-page guide developed collaboratively by VADOC, DVS and the VA, is available at every correctional facility and is an essential resource for incarcerated veterans as they prepare for re-entry.
 
Justice Involved Veterans face additional barriers and obstacles when reentering their communities than the general population, because they may have physical and or behavioral health needs related to their military service. 

What other collaborative projects has VADOC been involved in to assist Justice Involved Veterans?
Two collaborative work groups have been created in Virginia. Their purpose is to address planning for Justice Involved Veterans discharge. One work group consists of line staff from VADOC, DVS and the VA. A more comprehensive planning and management level work group also includes additional representatives from other partners such as the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), the Virginia Health Care Association, and a non-profit housing organization.  

VADOC’s primary mission for the citizens of the Commonwealth is to prepare those incarcerated to reenter society and ensure they have the resources they need to be successful and become a productive member of their community. Justice-involved veterans have demonstrated their willingness to serve their county and they deserve all the assistance available. This is why the partnership between VADOC and DVS is a key component in these efforts. Virginia’s veterans and their families deserve nothing less.
DVS Part of Statewide Pilot to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
 

On February 1, 2020, a new pilot program will start to help prevent suicide and close gaps in access to care for service members, veterans, and their families. The Virginia Identify, Screen, and Refer (VISR) Pilot will enhance the Commonwealth’s efforts to recognize these individuals (identified as SMVF), screen for suicide risk, and connect them to services. The pilot is part of the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide. The VISR Pilot will run through September 2020.

Governor Ralph Northam announced the launch of the VISR Pilot on December 27, 2019.  The DVS Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) Program and the Benefits Services division will join over 40 community agencies and state agencies participating in the pilot to increase identification of service members, veterans, and their family members and screen for suicide ideation. The goal of the pilot program is to save lives and help service providers have a greater understanding of the needs of service members, veterans, and their families.

The pilot program will also address the following:
  • Cultural Competency: Enhancing cultural awareness and communication between military-related and civilian healthcare providers. Only 8 percent of behavioral health providers who are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or TRICARE medical systems report having high military cultural competency, according to a RAND report.
  • Education: Increasing awareness among community providers about the number of SMVF they are serving and the resources available to them.
  • Efficiency: Reducing duplicative efforts and gaps in community programs and services
These pilot partners have committed to identify SMVF more accurately and reliably, train staff in military culture and suicide prevention best practices, and connect individuals to military and veteran-specific community resources such as the VA. 

VVFS has been screening all clients for suicide ideation since July 2019.  Eight Benefit Service’s offices will initially be part of the pilot and will screen for suicide ideation and work closely with VVFS on service connections. VVFS will also support the initiative by providing military cultural competency trainings to pilot agencies as well as being a key resource connection for those SMVF needing additional services.

Since the inception of the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among SMVF in January 2019, Virginia’s interagency team has trained more than 500 community services providers in military cultural competency and suicide prevention, hosting six statewide Military Culture and Suicide Prevention Summits. The team also hosted two regional planning sessions focused on closing access to behavioral healthcare gaps for SMVF.

In January 2019, Governor Northam announced that Virginia was selected as one of seven states to participate in the inaugural Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among SMVF. The Virginia Governor’s Challenge team is co-chaired by Carlos Hopkins, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and by Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel Carey, MD.  The team consists of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense; along with the Virginia Departments of Veterans Services, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Health, Social Services, Medical Assistance Services, and Education; the Virginia National Guard, and the Virginia State Police. Other health partners include the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority and NAMI-Virginia.

Military service members, veterans, and family members who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide—and those who know someone in crisis—can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (Veterans and caregivers, press 1) for confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
Annual “Storming the Hill” Event

Major General Tim Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, briefs members of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations on issues related to the Virginia National Guard.
 

On January 15, members of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (JLC) and the Board of Veterans Services (BVS) convened in Richmond for their annual “storming the hill” event. The members met with members of the House of Delegates, State Senate, and administration to present legislative initiatives and their positions on veterans issues.
 
(Left to right) Board of Veterans Services (BVS) Member Victor Angry; Senator Jeremy McPike, Nancy Jean-Louis, President of the Fairfax Lee Chapter, Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA); and Tammi Lambert, BVS Vice Chair.
V3 Program Manager Meagan LoBuglio Recognized by Roanoker Magazine for Her Leadership in Helping Veterans and Spouses Throughout Southwest Virginia

DVS Southwest Virginia V3 Program Manager Meagan LoBuglio (left) presents Mary Sullivan of Brown Edwards Accounting with their V3 Certification certificate.
 

Congratulations to Meagan LoBuglio, Southwest Virginia Program for the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program on being named to the Class of 2020 “Top 40 Under 40” by The Roanoker Magazine. LoBuglio is profiled along with 39 other young men and women whom the magazine calls “the next generation of leaders” in the Roanoke, Virginia area in its latest issue.
 
Prior to joining DVS in 2019, LoBuglio served four tours of combat duty overseas in the U.S. Air Force providing command and control during air operations and was an Air Force level academic instructor. She moved to Roanoke in 2016 and dedicated her time to improving support of the veteran community.  In addition to her V3 duties of encouraging employers to become V3 Certified and commit to hiring veterans and their spouses throughout Southwest Virginia.
 
LoBuglio currently serves as chair of the Southwest Virginia Military Economic Empowerment Zone committee, as an advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on rural military spouse employment, and is a member of the City of Roanoke’s 2040 Planning Team.
 
Those chosen for consideration to be included in The Roanoker Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” are nominated by readers. The person who nominated her noted that “Meagan LoBuglio pushes change with passion, compassion, humor, a lightheartedness and an unwavering vision for rural Veteran community development.  She pushes the communities in Southwest Virginia to take action beyond Veterans’ Day and seek a genuine understanding of who a veteran really is.”
 
To read LoBuglio’s profile and the complete list of all who were named to The Roanoker Magazine’s “Class of 2020 Top 40 Under 40”, click here. 
Visitors from across the Commonwealth Attend Annual Artifacts Roadshow and Used Book Sale at Virginia War Memorial

A television reporter captures military memorabilia expert Robert House reviewing items with a member of the public.
 

Visitors from around Virginia some carrying an array of military memorabilia arrived at the Virginia War Memorial on Saturday morning, January 25 for the annual Artifacts Roadshow.

They brought in everything from old uniforms, medals, photo albums, swords, flags, guns and letters for a free personal review and preservation tips from Virginia War Memorial curator Jesse Smith, archivist Holly Sheldon, and military history experts Robert House and Warren Swindle.

The mission of the Artifacts Roadshow is “to try and give people an opportunity to bring those artifacts in, bring those letters in, and provide some expert interpretation to show them what it was all about and tell them something interesting about their piece of history that maybe they didn’t know,” Dr. Clay Mountcastle, Virginia War Memorial Director, explained to a reporter from Richmond television stations WTVR CBS 6 reporting from the event.

Dr. Mountcastle also explained that while the experts at the Roadshow can give the public detailed information about their items, no appraisals or cash values are given.

While the Artifacts Roadshow was going on in the Memorial’s Russell Scott Hall, many visitors were in the VMI Alumni Hall of Honor to take advantage of the hundreds of slightly used military and history books on sale at the Annual Book Sale. Proceeds from the sale go to the nonprofit Virginia War Memorial Foundation to help fund patriotic and educational exhibits, films and programs at the Memorial.

For more photos of the 2020 Artifacts Roadshow and Used Book Sale, visit the Virginia War Memorial’s Facebook page. 

Virginia War Memorial Accepting Applications For College Scholarships


 
 
Virginia high school students are encouraged to apply now for the Virginia War Memorial’s Marocchi Memorial College Scholarships for Fall 2020.  Two scholarships of $2,500 are available to any student enrolled in the senior class of an accredited Virginia public or private high school or homeschool program and who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
 
Applicants must plan to pursue a program of study in a Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program at a Virginia public or private college or university that will lead to a career in any branch of U.S. military service.  Applicants are also required to possess an unweighted minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75. 
 
All applications for the 2020 Marocchi Memorial Scholarships must be received by Sunday, April 19, 2020. Complete details, including application forms and a list of required documents, are available online at www.vawarmemorial.org/learn/contests-scholarships/marocchi or by contacting Virginia War Memorial Assistant Director of Education Morgan Guyer at morgan.guyer@dvs.virginia.gov or (804) 786-9700.
 
These annual scholarships were established by the family of the late Rear Admiral John Marocchi of Rappahannock County in his memory. Admiral Marochhi served in the United States Navy for decades in a career that spanned World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. A recipient of the Purple Heart and Legion of Merit, the Admiral was one of the few Navy officers to complete Army Airborne training. He also served as a trustee of the Virginia War Memorial for over fifteen years.

Susan Ulrich to Serve as Cemeteries Assistant Director

 
Assistant Director Ulrich will be responsible for supervising all cemeteries administration employees and overseeing administration work at all cemeteries.

Ms. Ulrich previously served as Administration Manager for the three DVS Virginia Veterans Cemeteries in Amelia, Dublin and Suffolk for the past fifteen years. In this role, she had extensive experience in determining cemetery burial eligibility, records documentation, burial management and strategic planning.

Ms. Ulrich has spent her career in the funeral and memorial industry. Prior to joining DVS, she served as a family counselor and in the planning of funeral services with Woodlawn Memorial Gardens and Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Suffolk and assisting with visitations and funeral services with Altmeyer’s Funeral Homes in the Hampton Roads area.
King George High School Students Hold Fundraiser to Help Virginia Veterans  
 
(Left to right): Mr. T.J. Schaefer, Leadership Club Sponsor, Mr. Paul Haughton, VVSF Board Trustee and Mrs. Dee Strauss, DECA Sponsor attended the check presentation at King George High School.
 

On Veterans Day 2019, the Leadership Club of King George High School sponsored a fundraising event called “One Minute of Giving.”

Simply put, the high school stopped all activities for one minute and attempted to raise as much money as possible. A small cardboard box was placed in each classroom to collect donations and when the minute was up the boxes were collected, money counted and classes resumed. Over $1,800 was raised by the students.
 
This is the second consecutive year that King George High School chose to donate to the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation (VVSF) to benefit the DVS Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) program.
 
Paul Haughton, VVSF Board Member, and Ben Shaw, VVFS Central Region Director, visited King George High School to receive the check. 
 
Haughton and Shaw expressed their appreciation to DECA Advisor Dee Straus and Leadership Club Sponsor T. J. Schaefer for their dedication and hard work and noted both teachers are committed individuals who serve as positive role models for their students by giving time to promote community projects such as “One Minute of Giving” and other events.
 
In accepting the check on behalf of the Foundation, Haughton told the teachers and their students, “Needless to say, your generosity has touched us all. As you can imagine, we have many donors, many of who give donations of four to six figures. But, I don’t recall the “buzz” like this donation from King George High School.  It wasn’t the amount, it was the source, and again, we were all truly moved.”
 
For more on this event, click on this link to a story in the Fredericksburg Free Lance – Star.
 
To learn more about the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation and how it assists Virginia veterans and their families, please visit www.vvsf.org.
 
Kenneth Lyles, Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Northern Virginia Regional Program Manager, Presents V3 Certification to Lend a Box, LLC

(Left to Right) Lee Hall, Warehouse Manager and Box Commander, Stephanie Zimmermann, Co-Founder and Chief Box Engineer, Kenneth Lyles and Lee Hall, Retired US Navy Commander
 
Lend A Box LLC rents packing supplies and eco-friendly plastic boxes for moving. Virginia locations include Arlington, Sterling, and Fairfax. Congrats to Lend a Box for becoming V3 certified! 
Click here to download the DVS Virginia Veterans Resource Guide
Click here to download the Virginia OAG Military & Veteran Legal Resource Guide
Click here to read the Re-entry Roadmap for Veterans Incarcerated in Virginia. 
Click here to download the DVS Agency brochure
Click here to evaluate your military experience for college credits and see how they apply to Virginia Community College System programs that support your career goals
Click here to learn how to obtain a veteran indicator on your Virginia license.
Click here to learn about the Veteran Employment Grant for V3 companies
Click here to learn about DMV 2 Go Mobile Military and Veteran Site Visits.
Click here to download a Virginia Resident Disabled Veteran’s Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Application (DGIF)
Click here for a free service that can help you find the local resources you need. 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

www.dvs.virginia.gov
Governor of Virginia
Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs 
Virginia General Assembly
Copyright © 2020, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
101 North 14th Street | 17th Floor | Richmond, VA 23219

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

The Virginia Veterans Services Foundation is pleased to report that donations over the past seven years have helped over 10,000 veterans and their families through over 30,000 services provided to them. Click here to learn more.