Retired Guard Soldier first to apply for Va. Vet ID under new law - July 1, 2015

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 John D. Velleca applies for the Virginia Veterans Identification Card July 1, 2015, during a ceremony held by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia National Guard and Virginia Department of Veterans Services at the Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Va. Attendees at the ceremony included Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, DMV Commissioner Rick Holcomb, DVS Commissioner John Newby, Virginia Senator Bryce Reeves, Delegate Riley Ingram and retired Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., former Adjutant General of Virginia. Reeves and Ingram also applied for the Veterans ID Card.

For more information about the card visit go.usa.gov/3wbxV.

A new Virginia law took effect July 1 making Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen eligible for the Virginia Veterans Identification Card, and Velleca, who served in the Guard for more than 43 years, was the first applicant under the expanded eligibility. A DMV 2 Go mobile customer service center was on site to process the applications and remained to perform other transactions. Applicants will receive their Veterans ID Card in the mail from the DMV's secure card issuance facility in about five days.

Virginia Senate Bill 931, sponsored by Senator Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr., changed the definition of "veteran" for purposes of determining eligibility for the Virginia Veterans ID Card to include the Virginia National Guard. The card is available from the Department of Motor Vehicles in partnership with the Department of Veterans Services and is accepted by retailers and other business establishments that provide discounts to military veterans. The card is not used to determine eligibility for federal veterans benefits.

Under the expanded eligibility, Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who served honorably for more than 180 days may now apply for the card. Many Virginia Guard Soldiers and Airmen have responded to snowstorms, hurricanes and other natural disasters but never served on federal active duty and would not have qualified for the card before this expanded eligibility.