Today, Governor Roy Cooper welcomed military personnel to the Executive Mansion to honor Military Appreciation Month. Governor Cooper was joined by Secretary Larry Hall of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and First Lady Kristin Cooper.
“North Carolina’s dedicated servicemembers and their families make great sacrifices to keep us safe at home and abroad,” Gov. Cooper said. “This Military Appreciation Month, we take a moment to honor members of the armed services, veterans, and military families who protect our state and our country, but our appreciation extends year-round."
North Carolina’s military presence is the third-largest in the nation, including about 120,000 active duty military personnel and their families as well as over 720,000 military veterans. North Carolina’s military installations include Fort Bragg Army Base, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Air Station Elizabeth City Coast Guard Base.
“North Carolina has earned the reputation of being the most military-friendly state in the nation, and as Governor, I’m committed to maintaining that reputation,” Gov. Cooper said. “That means ensuring our active-duty servicemembers, military veterans, and their families get the health care, education and benefits they deserve, and helping them transition into good-paying civilian jobs.”
Throughout the month, Governor Cooper and Sec. Hall will participate in additional events honoring members of the armed services, veterans, and military families, including:
- Gov. Cooper will kick off the Valor Games Southeast in Durham
- Sec. Hall will visit veterans at a nursing home in Kinston
- Sec. Hall will convene a meeting of the Governor’s Working Group on Veterans, Service Members and Their Families
Earlier this month, Gov. Cooper visited Craven Community College to learn more about the work being done to help servicemembers transition to civilian careers and the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also hosted the third biennial Women MilVets Summit and Expo in Raleigh.
Click here to view the Military Appreciation Month proclamation.