VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced the rollout of a website he’s calling a “gold standard hub” for veterans to access numerous resources.
“There are many, many heroes among us,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said at a Veterans’ appreciation luncheon Tuesday in announcing the launch of the Virginia Veterans Network. “Many of you have done so much for our nation.”
One in seven residents in Virginia Beach is a veteran, and honoring them also means taking care of them and their needs. That’s where Virginia Veterans’ Network — a one-stop shop website with access to veterans’ resources — comes in.
“Right now, so many veterans spend time looking for stuff and therefore not finding everything that’s available to them, and now it’s all in one place. This is a big step in our commitment to our veterans,” Youngkin said.
The website also gets veterans answers to any questions they have about disability claims or healthcare so they don’t spend all day on the phone being transferred from one person, or department, to another.
“And any of the organizations that are on there basically have 72 hours to get in touch with the veteran or servicemember and provide either an answer or a service,” said Eric Gardner with the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals.
Gardner is helping with the housing side of the website.
“We’re a HUD-certified counselor, so if they need counseling to get their credit score up and be able to purchase a house, then we’ll be the tab they get to hit on to do that,” Gardner said. “Being able to go to one place and find something is very important, so having this as a one-stop shop is going to be great.”
10 On Your Side also asked Youngkin about his political plans for the future under President-elect Donald Trump and if he would consider a Cabinet seat or a run for Senate.
“One of the things I’ve been so honored by is being hired by Virginians,” Youngkin said. “And I’m going to finish my full term and then we’ll decide what I’m going to do next.”
To visit the Virginia Veterans Network, visit https://vesa.dvs.virginia.gov/.
