CONCORD — Gov. Chris Sununu on Thursday signed an executive order to initiate creation of one coordinated state operation for the provision of veterans services.
The governor was joined at the signing by guests David Meaney of the American Legion; Ray Goulet of the state chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America; Paul Lloyd of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Ernest Sulloway of Disabled American Veterans.
“We must recognize a fundamental truth, that once a person signs those enlistment papers, they are a soldier for life,” Sununu said. “This executive order will bring coordinated veterans services under one roof in New Hampshire, which will bring resources together to streamline services for one simple goal: better outcomes for our veterans.”
The changes contemplated by the executive order will be a team effort involving Adj. Gen. Dave Mikolaities, the Veterans Council, the Office of Veterans Services, Department of Health Human Services’ Bureau of Community Based Military Programs, and other Executive Branch personnel.
The order directs Mikolaities to develop and execute memorandums of understanding with both the Office of Veterans Services and the Bureau of Community Based Military Programs to streamline and coordinate all veterans services provided by the state.
The memorandums of understanding will be executed within 60 days and fully implemented within 120 days.
Dave Mikolaities and veterans services Director Bill Gaudreau also weighed in on the new executive order.
“New Hampshire’s veterans and their families will benefit immensely from having a single operation and point of contact for the services and benefits they have earned,” Mikolaities said
“The Adjutant General’s Department looks forward to working with the Office of Veterans Services and the Bureau of Community Based Military Programs to turn the governor’s vision into a reality,” he said.
“The Office of Veterans Services is excited to join the Adjutant General’s Department and the Bureau of Community Based Military Programs in this exciting and important initiative,” Gaudreau said.
“The services provided by OVS will be greatly enhanced by this new coordinated effort.”
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