Wednesday’s Event Was the Congresswoman’s 23rd Open, Public Town Hall Since the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic

HENRICO, V.A. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger this week hosted an open, public telephone town hall focused on issues facing veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and military families in Virginia’s Seventh District.

Spanberger was joined by three representatives from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services: Steven Combs, Chief Deputy Commissioner; Ben Shaw, Central Regional Director, Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program; and Dr. John C. Henry, Assistant Regional Manager, Central Region. During the event, the Congresswoman and her guests answered questions directly from Seventh District veterans, caregivers, and their families about toxic exposure, changing disability ratings, military records, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and more.

More than 4,300 Virginians joined the event. Click here to watch a full video of Wednesday evening’s telephone town hall.

“We owe a great debt to those who bravely sacrificed to protect our nation, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they receive the recognition, benefits, and care that they earned through their service,” said Spanberger. “During our event, we heard from many of our region’s veterans and their loved ones about the challenges they face every day — and I am hopeful that our discussion was helpful and informative about the resources that may be available to them. I would like to thank the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for sharing their expertise once again, and I strongly encourage any Virginia veteran with an outstanding question, concern, or issue with the VA or any other federal agency to reach out to my office.”

Wednesday’s event was Spanberger’s 23rd open, public telephone town hall since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These events have focused on the impacts of the virus on Virginia families, veterans, healthcare professionals, small businesses, students, and seniors. Click here to watch full recordings of previous events.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Virginia veterans are encouraged to reach out to Spanberger’s office with federal agency, program, or benefits issues. Constituents can reach out to her office by calling (804) 401-4110 or by filling out this form on Spanberger’s website.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services has additional resources for Central Virginia veterans and their families related to the federal and state benefits, support, quality care, and recognition they have earned. The Department’s website has valuable resources for veteran suicide prevention, legal issues, unhoused veterans, and much more. Veterans and their families can also click here to see a map of office locations, employment resources, and upcoming events near them.

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