Governor Kay Ivey released a video message on Tuesday honoring the more than 400,000 veterans and their families living in Alabama.
The address serves as the culmination of Veterans Week, which the governor proclaimed to run from November 5 through November 11.
In the message, Ivey shared personal reflections on her father, Boardan Ivey, a field artillery captain who fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. She noted that his wartime service meant she did not meet him until she was approximately two years old.
“We stand on the shoulders of generations of veterans who served this country so valiantly,” Ivey said in her message. “May the service of our veterans never be taken for granted.”
The governor’s remarks coincided with recent administrative shifts aimed at increasing the accessibility of veteran services throughout the state. Ivey highlighted that Alabama is expanding its support infrastructure, which includes elevating the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs to cabinet-level status.
The state has also established the Alabama Veterans Resource Center. This facility helps veterans find and access available benefits and services.
The governor also used the week to highlight individual stories of transition and education. She introduced Shalice Washington, a U.S. veteran and full-time college student, and her daughter, Kimora. Through the support of the CHOOSE Act, Kimora attends Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, where she is currently a first grader excelling in math and reading.
“Freedom is never free. We stand on the shoulders of generations of veterans who served this country so valiantly. May the service of our veterans and their families never be taken for granted.”
The governor concluded her message by calling on Alabamians to recommit to remembering the service of those in the Armed Forces. She also offered a blessing for the state of Alabama and the United States.
The official video message remains available for download through November 12, 2026.
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