Governor Ivey Proclaims Veterans Week, Touts Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Success
MONTGOMERY – On the heels of celebrating America’s 250th birthday, Governor Kay Ivey has proclaimed November 5 through 11, 2026, as Veterans Week in Alabama, honoring the more than 400,000 veterans who call the state home and reaffirming her commitment to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
“Alabama has a proud tradition of supporting the men and women who serve our country, and I am committed to making sure that continues,” said Governor Ivey. “Our veterans have given so much to protect the freedoms we enjoy, and they deserve a state that works hard for them. From giving veterans a seat at the table through the creation of a cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs to expanding services and resources across our state, we have made great strides in keeping that promise. This Veterans Week, I encourage every Alabamian to join me in thanking our veterans for their service and sacrifice.”
Throughout her Administration, Governor Ivey has worked to strengthen Alabama’s position as one of the nation’s most military and veteran friendly states through expanded services, strategic investments and stronger coordination among state agencies and community partners. Working alongside the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), the governor has prioritized initiatives that improve access to veterans’ benefits, quality care, workforce opportunities and resources that support veterans and their families.
Over the past year, that commitment has translated into significant progress through ADVA, which carries out the state’s mission of serving veterans every day. Under Governor Ivey’s leadership, the Department has advanced major initiatives while continuing to connect veterans with earned benefits, provide quality long-term care and expand the resources available to Alabama’s veteran community.
Following a fire at the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in April 2025, ADVA worked with state and local partners to restore the facility and welcome its veteran residents back home in late September. The fire resulted in no injuries, and the successful return of residents demonstrated the state’s commitment to ensuring veterans continue receiving safe, quality care.
Alabama also marked a major milestone in mid-October with the groundbreaking of the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery – North Alabama, expanding access to dignified burial services for veterans and their eligible family members.
Under Governor Ivey’s leadership, a public-private partnership was established through SB70 to create the Alabama Veterans Resource Center to strengthen coordination among organizations serving Alabama’s veterans and their families. The center, which includes leadership and involvement with numerous state agencies, provides a centralized point of connection for veterans, bringing together state agencies, Veterans Service Organizations and community partners to improve access to benefits, services and resources. These veterans-focused initiatives build on ADVA’s everyday work through its programs and services, including a statewide network of Veterans Service Offices to help veterans, dependents and survivors navigate the federal and state benefits systems and access the assistance they have earned.
“Governor Ivey has made supporting Alabama’s veterans a priority, and her leadership has helped create opportunities for us to expand our reach and strengthen the services we provide,” said ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton. “Our employees work every day to turn that commitment into action, whether by helping a veteran access earned benefits, caring for residents in our State Veterans Homes, expanding cemetery services or developing partnerships that improve overall wellbeing. We are proud of the progress we’ve made under her leadership and remain focused on doing even more for the men and women who served our country.”
Governor Ivey fundamentally changed the way Alabama serves its veterans. These accomplishments build on a broader effort to strengthen Alabama’s commitment to its military members, veterans and their families. Since taking office, the governor has championed legislation expanding veterans’ benefits, providing tax relief, creating employment opportunities and recognizing the skills and experience military members bring to Alabama’s workforce.
Among those measures, Governor Ivey has:
- Expanded employment preferences for military spouses
- Eliminated annual homestead exemption verification for qualifying permanently and totally disabled veterans
- Created a temporary teaching certification pathway for eligible veterans
- Expanded Alabama National Guard tuition assistance to include workforce development training
- Provided tax relief for qualifying National Guard income
- Recognized military training and experience toward professional licensure
Through these efforts, Governor Ivey has worked to ensure Alabama’s veterans and military families receive the support, resources and opportunities they deserve.
Veterans Week culminates with the national observance of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11. Governor Ivey and ADVA encourage Alabamians to recognize veterans not only during this week, but throughout the year through meaningful expressions of gratitude and continued support.
The 2026 Veterans Week proclamation can be found here.
Before Governor Ivey closes out her term leading the state on January 18, 2027, she will continue highlighting Alabama’s momentum. Just last week, she ushered in the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s latest graduating class of State Troopers and shared much of what has been accomplished by the Agency during her tenure.
A photo from the Veterans Week 2026 proclamation signing is attached.
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