Serving Those Who Have Served Us
January 27, 2015
West Virginia Governor Tomblin
With the nation’s highest per capita percentage of residents in the military, there is no doubt West Virginians have answered the call to serve and defend our country for generations. During my 2015 State of the State address, I highlighted the efforts of our state’s hardworking service men and women who are making a difference in our state, including Retired United States Army Captain James L. McCormick of New Haven.
One of our state’s Silver Star recipients, the nation’s third-highest honor for valor in combat, James’ commitment to serving his country has continued long past his military service. In fact, he’s helped thousands of homeless veterans find jobs and housing through his non-profit organization, Raising Cane Farms, which employs combat-wounded veterans who have returned home and are adjusting to civilian life.
Through a partnership with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, James serves as the director of the Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture project, the first program of its kind that directly assists veterans in becoming agribusiness owners. The West Virginia program has grown and currently serves as the model program for states across the country. To date, the Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture project has helped recruit more than 100 West Virginia veterans to become farmers or agribusiness owners.
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