As events unfold around the world, people across Washington hold a wide range of views and feelings. And those perspectives matter.
At the same time, it’s important to remember the people who serve in our military – and the families who stand beside them – are real people living in our communities. Here in Washington, they are our neighbors, our coworkers, our classmates, and our friends.
More than 160,000 active-duty service members, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and their families call Washington home. They are part of the fabric of our communities. Our service members volunteer to serve. They raise their right hand and commit to something larger than themselves – knowing it will require sacrifice, separation, and uncertainty as they protect, defend, and support our freedoms and the Constitution.
We also know, from our nation’s past and from the experiences of many Veterans, when service members return home without strong support, the effects can be long-lasting, impacting individuals, families, and where we live. This understanding shapes the way Washington shows up today: with a commitment to connection, care, and community.
Supporting service members, Veterans and military families is not a political act. It does not require agreement with any specific situation happening in the world. It is a recognition that we are all connected and a commitment to ensuring those who serve - and those who support them - are not navigating the challenges of military life alone.
As citizens of Washington State, we can hold different views while still standing together in support of our neighbors who serve. I encourage you to support our service members and their families as they support our nation and local communities.
Your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs offers resources for Veterans, service members, their families, and the community that supports them. For more information, visit www.dva.wa.gov.
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David Puente Jr. | Director