MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs celebrated their 80th anniversary with a luncheon in Montgomery Friday afternoon.
Gov. Kay Ivey (R-Alabama) spoke at the event, thanking the department for the work they do to support Alabama's 400 thousand veterans and their families.
"I challenge each of you to join me in making Alabama the '#1 state' for veterans and their families," said Gov. Ivey.
Earlier this year, Gov. Ivey made the Alabama Dept. of Veterans Affairs a part of her cabinet, and she appointed Brigadier General Jeffrey Newton the commissioner of the ADVA.
"In the past, we've been an independent agency kind of in the background, but now we're in the foreground," said Commissioner Newton. "We're opening doors with this new position, and it's been an outstanding decision to put this position on the governor's cabinet."
Commissioner Newton said they are looking to increase the number of veterans service officers to help veterans navigate the benefits system, along with bringing an increased focus to addressing veteran mental health concerns and homelessness.
However, he said one of the biggest hurdles is veterans not knowing about the resources that are already available.
"We've got to start there," he said. "We've got to make sure our veterans know what resources are already available to them."
Resources through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can be found on their website. Some resources have been impacted by the government shutdown, but the Veterans Crisis Line is still active, and benefits will continue to be processed and delivered.