Governor Ivey Proclaims Veterans Week Across Alabama Ahead of January Departure
On the heels of celebrating America’s 250th birthday, Governor Kay Ivey has officially proclaimed November 5 through 11, 2026, as Veterans Week in Alabama, honoring the more than 400,000 veterans residing in the state and highlighting the ongoing administrative work of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA).
The statewide observance highlights an effort to make Alabama one of the nation’s most military- and veteran-friendly states. Veterans Week will culminate on Wednesday, November 11, with the national observance of Veterans Day.
Alabama has a proud tradition of supporting the men and women who serve our country, and I am committed to making sure that continues,
Governor Ivey stated.
State Repairs Veterans Home After Fire
Behind the Governor’s proclamation lies a series of concrete institutional developments managed by ADVA. Most notably, the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home underwent repairs following an April 2025 fire. State and local partners successfully restored the facility, allowing veteran residents to return home in late September of that same year without any reported injuries.
Construction on the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery – North Alabama kicked off in mid-October 2026, marking a significant milestone for the state by broadening veteran and eligible family member access to respectful final resting places.
To streamline interagency communication, the state utilized SB70 to establish a public-private partnership creating the Alabama Veterans Resource Center. This centralized hub bridges state agencies, Veterans Service Organizations, and community partners to improve access to benefits, services and resources.
“Our employees work every day to turn that commitment into action, whether by helping a veteran access earned benefits, caring for residents in our State Veterans Homes, expanding cemetery services or developing partnerships that improve overall wellbeing,” said ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton.
ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton
Administration Adjusts Policies to Integrate Veterans
Governor Ivey’s focus on the state’s military community extends beyond ceremonial proclamations into statutory shifts enacted throughout her tenure. The administration has systematically adjusted state policies to integrate veterans and military families into Alabama’s civilian workforce and tax structures.
Key policy measures enacted under her leadership include:
- Expanded employment preferences for military spouses.
- Eliminated annual homestead exemption verification for qualifying permanently and totally disabled veterans.
- Created a temporary teaching certification pathway for eligible veterans.
- Expanded Alabama National Guard tuition assistance to include workforce development training.
- Provided tax relief for qualifying National Guard income.
- Recognized military training and experience toward professional licensure.
As her gubernatorial tenure concludes on January 18, 2027, Governor Ivey remains dedicated to spotlighting Alabama’s continued progress. Just last week, she welcomed a new class of Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Troopers and highlighted many of the department’s achievements realized during her time in office.
