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The goal is to make things easier, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said on Nov. 11. Speaking before a Veterans Day Luncheon, he announced the creation of a Virginia Veterans Network (VVN). 

So we reached out to the governor’s office and asked how this will work. How can a Buckingham veteran use the network? What about someone from Cumberland? The idea, the governor’s staff say, is to help veterans transition into retirement by connecting them with the resources they need in their respective part of the state. If they live around here, they’ll be given links to Central Virginia groups. If they’re out in Southside, they’ll be directed to groups nearby. This all goes back to Youngkin’s speech at that Nov. 11 luncheon. 

“Virginia is the proud home of nearly 700,000 military veterans. We go to work everyday to ensure that Virginia is the best state in America for veterans, military service members, and their families to live, work and raise a family,” Youngkin said. “Today, I am pleased and excited to introduce this new information resource for military service members and their families transitioning out of service – the Virginia Veterans Network or VVN, built by veterans for veterans. VVN is truly the gold standard of service for Virginia veterans and delivers on our promise to give Virginia veterans the best available resources.” 

How does the Virginia Veterans Network operate? 

The network links hundreds of organizations in one platform to ensure that veterans, transitioning service members, and their families can find what they need at any stage in life. VVN is an online tool, located at vesa.dvs.virginia.gov. Veterans, transitioning service members, and their family members can make online appointments with the Department of Veteran Services and find information about the free federal, state, and local benefits and programs they have earned from their service in one location. 

“The goal for VVN is to make life easier for our veterans, military service members, and their families. It was a top priority of the Governor and Secretary Crenshaw, and it is gratifying to see it come to fruition,” said Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) Chuck Zingler. “Veterans asked for a simple solution for finding a variety of resources in the Commonwealth and beyond, and we made it happen. VVN offers real solutions in real time, connecting the right people to the right resources at the right time.” 

According to Zingler and officials from the governor’s office, the site also lets veterans access or apply for disability benefits, search for job opportunities, schedule medical appointments and get legal advice. 

“The launch of the Virginia Veterans Network represents our steadfast commitment to those who have served, providing veterans and their families with seamless access to essential services and support. This platform stands as a tribute to Virginia’s promise—honoring veterans’ sacrifice with the care, respect, and resources they deserve, ensuring they are never alone in their journey,” said Virginia Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Marine veteran Winsome Earle-Sears.