North Carolina is one of the most military friendly states in the country, and we must continue to work to ensure that our service members, their families, and veterans are treated with the highest standard.

That means first and foremost access to high-quality, timely healthcare. Veterans in rural communities across North Carolina often face long wait times and long drives for basic and mental health care. We must expand access to VA providers in underserved areas and streamline care through community partnerships.

Veterans also deserve a fast and fair process for receiving the benefits they’ve earned. Claims processing can take far too long, leaving veterans waiting for disability compensation and pensions. We need to invest in VA staffing and outreach to ensure benefits are processed quickly and accurately.

Housing and homelessness remain major concerns, with thousands of veterans in North Carolina at risk. Programs like HUD-VASH and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) work—but only if there’s affordable housing available. We must increase investment in low-income housing and ensure veterans are prioritized for stable, permanent homes.

Transitioning out of service is another critical moment. Through NC4ME and expanded state-level career support, we can better connect veterans to good jobs, apprenticeships, and small business opportunities. With over 80,000 veteran-owned businesses in North Carolina, we must also support veteran entrepreneurs with access to capital, contracts, and mentorship.

Lastly, we must prepare for future challenges. From improving disaster response for vulnerable veterans to protecting military families from housing abuse and predatory lending, Jacob knows we must ensure that North Carolina not only thanks our service members but honors them with action.