Governor McAuliffe cuts ribbon on new Veterans Benefits office in Springfield
Governor McAuliffe Cuts Ribbon on New Veterans Benefits Office in Springfield
~ New office part of effort to expand services for veterans in Northern Virginia ~
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe celebrated the opening of the new Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) Benefits office in Springfield during a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The ceremony was attended by a diverse group that included state representatives, Supervisor Pat Herrity of the Springfield District of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, veterans, active duty military service members, and community leaders.
“Virginia has the honor of being the state with the fastest growing population of veterans in the nation, and it is our responsibility to give back to those who served our country,” said Governor McAuliffe. “From benefit and transition assistance to behavioral health care coordination services, this office truly aims to provide resources to our veterans every step of the way. I am proud to cut the ribbon on the 26th veterans benefits office in the Commonwealth and continue our commitment to making Virginia the best place on earth for veterans and their families to live.”
The new Springfield office replaces the VDVS Alexandria office, which relocated earlier this month. The more central location of the Springfield office will enable Northern Virginia veterans to more easily access an array of benefit services earned while serving in the U.S Armed Forces
“The new VDVS Benefits office in Springfield will greatly assist the region’s veterans in accessing the federal and state benefits they’ve earned through their service to our nation. Our highly trained and accredited Veterans Benefits Service Representatives, as well as representatives from the Virginia Transition Assistance Program and the Virginia Veteran and Family Support program, are ready to meet with veterans one-on-one, to help them identify and apply for the benefits to which they may be entitled.” said Thomas J. Herthel, benefits director for VDVS.
The new office is part of the state’s efforts to expand veterans services in Northern Virginia. VDVS will open new offices in Prince William and Loudoun counties this spring, with an additional office planned to open on the campus of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg later in the summer. The state will also break ground on the Puller Veterans Care Center in Fauquier County before the end of the year. The new, 120-bed center will offer in-patient skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s/memory care, and short-term rehabilitative care for veterans.
John L. Newby II, Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services noted, “The Virginia Department of Veterans Services is delighted to be opening a benefits office in Springfield. There’s a real need to provide additional services to the region’s veterans. Today’s grand opening is a testament to our continued commitment to serving the Commonwealth’s veterans and their families and assisting them with their transition from military to civilian life.”
About the Springfield VDVS Office:
Location:
6564 Loisdale Ct., Suite 301
Springfield, VA 22150
Phone Number: 703-417-9090
Hours of Service: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
To learn more about the Springfield Benefits office visit the VDVS website at www.dvs.virginia.gov
Photos of the event may be viewed here.
About the Virginia Department of Veterans Services
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) operates 26 benefit offices that assist veterans and their family members in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; two long-term care facilities offering nursing, assisted living, and domiciliary care for veterans, and three veterans cemeteries that provide an honored final resting place for veterans and their families. VDVS provides veterans and family members with direct linkages to needed services including behavioral healthcare, housing, employment, education, and other programs. The Department also operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s monument to honor the memory of Virginia’s men and women who demonstrated a willingness to serve and fight to defend our way of life from World War II to the present.