Alborn: Anderson Keen on Veterans Issues, Enjoys Front Porch Conversations

Opinion 

A Couple of weeks ago, I noticed this headline in potomaclocal.com, Anderson Tops Military Officer’s Legislators List.  Delegate Rich Anderson (R-Prince William), happens to be my Commonwealth of Virginia Delegate.  He is also a fellow Veteran.

I dug a little deeper, and discovered that for the last two years, Anderson has chaired the General Assembly Military and Veteran Caucus, which is the legislative clearinghouse for bills that are introduced on behalf of veterans and military missions based in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Anderson also serves on the Virginia Commission on Military Installations and Defense Activities, which is working on a mitigation plan to ease the impact of Sequestration and possible base closures in 2015 and 2017. 

I also noticed that Delegate Anderson co-sponsored legislation with Senator Toddy Puller (D-36th) to make the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program a formal part of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

I’m working on another column about Veterans issues, and thought I ought “check him out”.   Rich (nobody in the 51^st District actually calls Delegate Anderson “Delegate Anderson”, he’s Rich to us) is an important part of any story about helping Veterans in the Commonwealth, and invited him to stop by my front porch to chat over a beer.

A beer on my front porch was just too good of an offer to refuse.

Rich opened by sharing Virginia is home to 830,000 veterans.   He shared that, “Nearly one in 10 Virginians has worn the cloth of the country at one time or another.  Prince William County has over 50,000 Veterans.” 

Rich spends quite a bit of his time working on Veterans legislation, and providing hands on advice to men and women in and out of uniform who need a little help.

 The V3 program got on his radar thanks to Virginia’s Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (JLC).  Rich replied, “The JLC brought it to my attention and asked me to Patron a bill that makes the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program a formal part of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.”

He went on to say, “The V3 program is focused on reducing veteran unemployment in Virginia by increasing job opportunities for a skilled group that has served our country in uniform. Because of this legislation, more than 4,000 jobs have been committed to Virginia veterans by more than 100 employers across the state.”

Rich gave a “shout out” to the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s Veterans Council (PW CC VC) for their role in helping local Veterans.  “I often send resumes to the PW CC VC for help.  They are a ‘connector’ for Veterans in our community, and often help vets find jobs.” 

I asked Rich how we are doing compared to other states.  He replied,  “In my capacity as a member of the Executive Committee (national governing body) of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and membership in its Task Force on Military & Veterans Affairs,  I spend a lot of time talking about veterans.” 

Rich went on to say, “I spend less time asking questions about other states are doing, and more time explaining what Virginia is doing.  We are a recognized national leader because of an Administration and a Legislature working together in Veterans issues.”

Rich went on to explain how the Commonwealth’s concern for Veterans is a bi-partisan effort, and that non-veteran members of both parties have been faithful in their support.  He gave a particular shout out to Senator Toddy Puller (D-36th) for her bi-partisan collaboration and support on anything to do to help or active duty, retired, or discharged vets.  Puller and Anderson are going to patron a bill together to try to provide more funding to the V3 program for the 2015 & 2016 budget.

There are possible DoD reductions of as much as 29 percent of soldiers, 18 percent of Marines and three Navy carriers through 2019.  We may also expect a $52 billion cut in fiscal year 2014 that trims 10 percent of the Defense Department’s budget.  Rich Anderson is very aware of the potential impact on Virginia’s Veterans, and wants to minimize (in his words), “Vets returning from the front lines to stand in the unemployment line.” 

V3 is an important part of his strategy.

Rich then gave me a scoop.

“This morning (22 August 2013) I went to a meeting near Dulles at the HQ of Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) for a briefing about a new program that they are fielding as a private sector companion program to V3,” Rich said.  “There is plenty of room for growth in multiple areas.  NVTC is stepping into that.  They are calling it the NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative.  They briefed the governor this past Tuesday.  Today (22 August 2013), they briefed a small contingent of Northern Virginia Delegates in both Parties.  I pledged to them my wholehearted support and that of the General Assembly Military and Veteran Caucus.

I asked Rich where Northern Virginia Veterans go to ask for help?  He replied, “Check the Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs website, the V3 website, or call me at home, 703-730-1380, and I’ll find you the help you need.  If I’m not there, Ruth (Rich’s wife) will find me.”  You will find other ways to contact Delegate Anderson on his website.

Actually, this advice applies to all of the folks lucky enough to be in the 51^st District, or anyone in Northern Virginia for that matter.  He is the most approachable and accessible politician I have ever had the good luck to encounter.  If you don’t believe me, call him the next time you have an issue.

Just don’t be surprised if he drives over to discuss your issue over a beer on your front porch.  I discovered he really likes Shock Top Raspberry Wheat!