Governor Josh Stein and First Lady Anna Stein hosted a Friendsgiving event at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, sharing a meal with members of the 4th Fighter Wing. They served lunch, participated in discussions, and toured the base. Governor Stein said in a press release, "Our servicemembers show up for us every single day, and we owe them a debt of gratitude."
Governor Stein’s visit highlighted North Carolina’s support for its more than 135,000 active servicemembers. The state’s efforts aim to be military- and veteran-friendly, addressing areas such as healthcare, housing, and economic opportunity. North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette said the visit "recognizes not only their mission, but also the people behind it—their dedication, resilience, and the sacrifices made by them and their families," according to a press release.
Earlier this year, Governor Stein announced initiatives to support military families, including North Carolina joining the Do Your Part program in partnership with Blue Star Families and the National Governors Association, highlighted at Fayetteville Tech Community College. Programs like NCWorks are also helping veterans and their families access employment and transition services after military service.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has introduced initiatives to improve services for veterans. NCDHHS announced extended hours for NCServes and the launch of AskMeNC, which expand access to mental health, housing, employment, and peer support services for the state’s more than 600,000 veterans and their families.
In a press release, Colonel Morgan Lohse, 4th Fighter Wing Commander, expressed appreciation for the visit, saying, "It was an honor to host the Governor and First Lady on base today. Their visit and the time they spent to personally serve lunch to our Airmen means a great deal to our team."
