On Veterans Day, North Carolina's Governor Josh Stein, accompanied by the state's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary Jocelyn Mallette, made an appearance in Pitt County to pay tribute to the service of U.S. veterans. According to a press release on the North Carolina Office of the Governor website, Stein emphasized the debt owed to veterans, stating, "Veterans sacrificed so much to protect us. We owe them not just gratitude but care and support when they come home." He reiterated his pledge to support the over 600,000 veterans residing in North Carolina.
At the ceremony, which also included Greenville Mayor PJ Connelly, Mallette underscored the state’s ongoing commitment to veterans and their families. "Our veterans have selflessly put our lives before theirs, and we must ensure their sacrifices are honored by giving them the tools and resources for their next mission in life," she told the gathering, as per the North Carolina Office of the Governor website. Governor Stein and Mallette presented various initiatives seeking to aid veterans with their transitions, including extended support hours and a new information line.
The day prior to Veterans Day, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced in partnership with Stein two new initiatives: extended hours for NCServes and the launch of AskMeNC. These programs aim to improve access to care for veterans and their family members. Additionally, a recent $500,000 investment from the GE Aerospace Foundation into North Carolina’s Heroes MAKE America Program was highlighted by Governor Stein. This program assists veterans in gaining the necessary skills for careers in advanced manufacturing.
North Carolina's efforts extend to a wide range of services, as laid out in the Resource Guide 2024/2025, developed by the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. The state government has taken steps to assist veterans and their families through employment preferences, easing the process of enrolling children in school and drivers' license renewals, as well as offering tuition discounts at the University of North Carolina for military students. Moreover, the Department of Commerce’s 50 NCWorks Veterans Services professionals, all veterans themselves, work diligently to connect fellow veterans with job opportunities and training, many staff members focus on partnering with businesses interested in hiring veterans.
