North Carolina Governor Josh Stein took a notable step for military families yesterday, announcing at Fayetteville Technical Community College that the state will join the "Do Your Part" initiative, a collaborative effort initiated by Blue Star Families and the National Governors Association, as reported by the Governor's Office. This program aims to strengthen state efforts in supporting military families, addressing their unique needs and challenges to enhance their overall well-being.
"Just as servicemembers and their families have served us, we must serve them," Governor Stein asserted, acknowledging the crucial role of community support for military families in sustaining military recruiting and readiness efforts, his words reflecting a deep commitment to augment the security not only of North Carolina but the nation at large, as per the Governor's Office announcement. Blue Star Families, a national nonprofit, plays a central part in this initiative; it assists Blue Star families to bridge the gap between military life and the communities where they reside while on active duty. Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who chairs the initiative, welcomed North Carolina's involvement, emphasizing the collective strength derived from states supporting military families.
The commitment to military families in North Carolina goes beyond joining the "Do Your Part" initiative, as evidenced by the enactment of four bills this year that streamline processes for military spouses transferring professional licenses, ease driver's license renewals, simplify public school enrollment for their children, and offer military students reduced tuition at University of North Carolina System schools. These actions signify not just momentary efforts, but an enduring pledge to make the state accommodating for those connected to the Armed Forces.
Statewide efforts in North Carolina comprise an extensive range of programs, including the 2024/2025 Resource Guide, the MIC3 education initiative for military children, MCCYN-PLUS for child care support, the Purple Star Award for military-friendly schools and employment preferences for veterans and National Guard members; moreover, medical insurance benefits for the National Guard, tuition assistance, voting services for overseas military personnel and the intentional hiring of veterans by the Department of Commerce are all part of the state's comprehensive approach to bolster military family support. These initiatives manifest North Carolina's dedication to creating a welcoming atmosphere for military personnel and their loved ones, addressing the broad spectrum of their daily lives.
This broad approach to family support underscores the close ties between North Carolina and its military community, as the state houses over 600,000 veterans and boasts the fourth-largest active-duty population in the nation. Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs Jocelyn Mallette highlighted the state's obligation to address the challenges faced by service members and their families, aiming to offer them brighter futures within the state's bounds, according to the Governor's Office announcement.
