Albemarle County Supervisors recognize Veterans Day

Local government offices are closed across the area today but there is at least one event happening in Albemarle County.

“We invite community members to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, at 11 am in Lane Auditorium at the Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia,” reads the meeting calendar.

“Hosted by the American Legion, Post 74, the ceremony will celebrate Veterans Day, recognize those who served, and provide resources to support veterans,” the calendar continues.

This will be the second time this month that military service has been honored in Lane Auditorium. On November 4, the Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation.

“Throughout our nation’s history, the United States of America has called on its citizens in uniform to serve and protect our national security,” read Scottsville District Supervisor Mike Pruitt. “Generations of American patriots have defended the freedoms and American values of equality, democracy, and justice for all.”

The resolution specifically notes that many veterans are currently employed by Albemarle County local government and the school system.

Deputy County Executive Trevor Henry, a veteran himself, accepted the proclamation and he noted that both he and Pruitt were in the U.S. Navy. Other veterans stood behind him.

“We have the Navy well represented, we have the Army and the Marine Corps here with staff that are behind me,” Henry said before describing some of them.

“From police, Captain Jason Martin, who served 3 years in the Army. From our career fire rescue department, we have Battalion Chief Sean Maddox, Army, 8 years. Lieutenant James Wilson, Marine Corps, 8 years. Firefighter Jacob Jordan, Marine Corps, 4 years. Firefighter Max Weedman, Army, 3 and a half years, and Eric Estelo from Information Technology that has served 4 and a half years.”

Henry said the county surveyed employees as well as partner agencies and found there well over 200 veterans in public service. Some of them spoke but not all gave their names.

“You know, military service is something that was somewhat expected in my family, and so I answered that call,” said the first speaker. “But I will say I love living here in Albemarle. It’s a great place to raise a family, great community, and it’s an everyday reminder of what those of us that serve uh, the reason that we do it for.”

The second speaker has worked for the Albemarle County Police Department for over 2 years. He described exactly why he answered the call at a key moment of the history of the United States of America.

“On September 12th, 2001, I left a community college campus and went straight to the Army recruiting office. I had no way of knowing what the future was going to bring, but I was committed to embarking on that journey. Spent the next three years serving as a combat engineer in the 82nd Airborne in the U.S. Army.

“When I completed the enlistment, I found that there was not much of a market for job experience as it relates to jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. So I did have to search out a new career that would give me an opportunity to continue what was most important to me in my military service, and that being working to preserve the freedom and safety of family, friends, and the community.

Supervisor Ann Mallek of the White Hall District thanked those who have served in uniform and said more needs to be done to protect both veterans and active duty personnel. An investigation by NPR last month found that changes to a loan program offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have increased costs.

“Just this week, I learned about the consequences of the federal administration changes to the VA mortgage program, where in the middle of a mortgage term, they are ripping people out of 2.5 percent and three percent mortgages and saying, you can refinance or you can take the seven percent mortgage instead,” Mallek said.

Supervisor Fred Missel of the Samuel Miller District said veterans have enabled the freedoms he said he takes for granted.

“My father was a naval aviator and actually couldn’t land a plane to save his life, literally. So he actually was made a navigator,” Missel said. “And then my son-in-law is in the Marines, and my father— my son-in-law’s father is also in the Marines, active duty.”

Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley of the Rivanna District said she grew up in a military family and said she would be at today’s ceremony.

“That’s a very solemn, important event to attend, and I just celebrate all the veterans that are out there,” LaPisto-Kirtley. “Of course, I’m Go Army. However, I do have a brother that was in the Navy, and all of my three older brothers all served in the military as well as my dad.”

Pruitt served for eight years in the Navy and said he learned unique skills and learned about the power of responsibility.

“I learned how to navigate conflict and manage personalities. I learned how to lead men and women across a really wide variety of circumstances. I learned how to execute a plan, which is a basic thing, but it’s also the entirety of every job. And I think most importantly is I learned a culture and an expectation of really radical ownership and responsibility. If something goes wrong in the chain of command, it does not matter how far down the chain of command it is. It’s your problem and it’s your fault because there’s probably something you could have done about that before it got to that point.”

Pruitt also said many veterans have unmet mental health needs and could use more support throughout the year and not just on one day.

Supervisor Ned Gallaway of the Rio District said his respect for veterans also extends from family.

“My grandfather served in the Air Force and was in World War II. My father served in the Army, and my brother-in-law served in the Army,” Gallaway said.

Gallaway added that events like the November 4 reminded him of his elders and he thanked everyone who stood up to be recognizedfor standing up to be recognized.

This morning, Governor Abigail Spanberger issued a statement honoring those who have served and are still in active duty.

“On Veterans Day, we renew our commitment to making sure that those who have served have our strongest possible support and can access the healthcare, resources, and job opportunities they’ve earned,” Spanberger said. “We are also reminded of the families who stand beside our veterans, making sacrifices of their own, and providing the support and encouragement that help those in uniform transition back to civilian life.”

UVA Today honors Veterans Day

• Local charity builds community with – and for – veterans, Mike Mather, November 10, 2026
• UVA football prepared him for the Navy SEALs – and beyond, Andrew Ramspacher, November 10, 2026
• Their service matters: UVA ROTC honors veterans, Bryan McKenzie, November 10, 2026

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