Virginia Veteran Affairs/Homeland Security

Governor McDonnell Kicks-Off 2013 "Governor's Bowl" Food and Fund Drive

May 30 — Governor Bob McDonnell today launched the second annual "Governor's Bowl" food and fund drive. The "Governor's Bowl" campaign began on Memorial Day and continues to Independence Day, in an effort to keep Virginia's food banks stocked during the critical summer months.
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Governor McDonnell Announces CTB Approval of VDOT Property for Visitor Education Center at National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

April 17 — Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that the Commonwealth Transportation Board took the necessary action to grant access onto VDOT right-of-way for a Visitor Education Center for the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. This memorial honors those who lost their lives during the tragic events that occurred on 9/11.
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Governor Bob McDonnell Sends Letter to President Urging Immediate Action to Stop Sequester

February 18 — Governor Bob McDonnell sent the following letter this morning to the President, and Virginia's congressional delegation, calling for immediate action to prevent the implementation of the sequester.

In the letter the governor writes:

"I write today to respectfully request your immediate attention to address the potential devastation that looming cuts to defense due to sequestration will have on national security and on the economic well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth.
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Nearly Three Dozen Organizations Come Together to Connect Veterans with High-Demand Jobs and Careers

February 13 — Nearly three dozen organizations are working together in eight regional partnerships to connect veterans who have recently finished their military service, and their eligible spouses, with jobs and careers in high-growth, high-demand fields.

Virginia's Community Colleges are funding the partnerships with $1.8 million in grants. Individual grant awards range from $142,500 - $250,000. Taken together, the innovative partnerships are expected to serve more than 700 people annually.
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Be Mobile Ready

January 17 — Governor Bob McDonnell announced today a way for Virginians to become "mobile ready" for disasters. The Ready Virginia mobile app, developed by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, gives Virginians a new way to prepare for disasters and also to stay informed during emergencies with the latest information.
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Governor Announces Membership of School Safety Task Force

January 9 — Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the membership of his newly-created Task Force of School and Campus Safety. The membership includes educators, public safety experts, local leaders, mental health practitioners, legislators, parents, and students. The group will review school safety, including established policies and procedures, crisis and emergency management plans, threat assessment protocols, as well as share best practices and identify resource challenges. This task force will also provide legislative and budget proposals to the governor to address any critical gaps or needs associated with safety and security in our schools and on our campuses.
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Governor McDonnell's Budget Includes $7.5 Million to Continue Funding of Oceana Partnership

December 2012 — Governor Bob McDonnell announced Monday, in a presentation to the General Assembly joint money committees, $7.5 million in FY2014 to address the encroachment and safety issues around Naval Air Station Oceana. The governor's budget amendment continues Virginia's commitment to the military and recognition of the important role naval aviation plays in Hampton Roads and across the Commonwealth. The amendments will aide in the voluntary purchase, and repurposing of homes, businesses and properties within the operational area of the navy's east coast master jet base.
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Governor McDonnell Issues Executive Order Establishing School and Campus Safety Task Force

December 2012 — In accordance with his verbal directive on Monday, Governor Bob McDonnell issued Executive Order 56 today establishing a multidisciplinary task force to review school and campus safety in light of the horrific and senseless murders that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14. He has also established a separate mental health workgroup chaired by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel.
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Governor McDonnell Asks for Statewide Moment of Silence to Mark One Week Since Connecticut Shooting

December 2012 — Governor Bob McDonnell today issued a call for Virginians to join in a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting exactly one week after the shootings occurred. Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy has issued a proclamation declaring this Friday as a Day of Mourning in Connecticut and called upon all citizens of that state to observe a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. Governor Malloy has also asked Connecticut places of worship and government buildings, which have the ability, to ring bells 26 times during that moment of silence. Governor McDonnell has also issued a day of mourning proclamation for Dec. 21.
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View the Proclamation

Governor McDonnell's Budget Includes More Than $2 Million to Support Veterans

December 2012 — In keeping with Governor McDonnell's stated objective of making Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in the nation, his proposed budget for the 2013 General Assembly Session includes significant additional support for veteran's issues, including more than $2 million in funding.

The V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) Program, begun as a pilot program in Fiscal Year 2013, will receive $150,000 per year to assist Virginia employers increase employment opportunities for veterans. The governor's budget provides state support for the Granting Freedom program to enable veterans to overcome access barriers caused by their service-connected injuries and provides an additional $600,000 for education benefits provided to survivors and dependents under the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).
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