The director of the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs, Patrick D. Farrell, was recently unanimously elected to be the district vice-president of the Southeast District within the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA), Gov’t House has announced.

The Southeast District includes Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As district VP, Mr.Farrell is a member of the organization’s executive committee. This is the second position within the executive committee held by Mr. Farrell, according to the release. Elections were held during the most recent Annual Training Conference.  

NASDVA is an organization with a history dating back to 1946. The members of NASDVA represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Nationally, they are the second largest provider of services to Veterans and their roles continue to expand. Director Farrell is the second known Virgin Islander to serve on the Executive Committee of NASDVA. Eryle A. Rohlsen, whom the St. Croix Office of Veterans Affairs is named after, was elected as the President of NASDVA 45 years ago (1977).  

Mr. Farrell has been an active part of the association since first being appointed as the Director of the VI Office of Veterans Affairs in January of 2015.

“As always, I am prepared to continue serving for the benefit of our Veterans. I am especially happy because it will mean more representation for Veterans of the Virgin Islands on a national level,” he said. “In NASDVA, all Directors / Commissioners of the territories have agreed that all Veterans of the United States Armed Forces must be equally visible and that we all deserve equal benefits no matter where we were born or decide to live after leaving the United States Armed Forces. I will ensure that this holds true not just for Virgin Islands Veterans but for all Veterans.”

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