News and Resources – Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

A collage showing Los Angeles County buildings and landmarks illuminated in green for Operation Green Light, honoring veterans and military families. The left side reads “Shining Green in Support of Veterans, November 4–11,” with the hashtags #OperationGreenLight and #LAC4Veterans and logos for Los Angeles County, Military and Veterans Affairs, VPAN, and NACo at the bottom.

Los Angeles County Shines Green in Support of Veterans

LOS ANGELES (November 2025) — In honor of Operation Green Light for Veterans, the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) is joining county departments, cities, and community partners across the nation in illuminating buildings and landmarks green from Nov. 4–11 to honor veterans and their families. This symbolic gesture demonstrates Los Angeles County’s ongoing commitment to veterans and encourages residents, businesses, and organizations to shine a light of gratitude and hope while raising awareness of the resources available to support those who served. “Veterans continue to serve long after they take off the uniform,” said U.S. Army Veteran Jim Zenner, director, MVA. “They strengthen our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities. Lighting Los Angeles County green honors that ongoing service and reflects our commitment to helping veterans thrive.” Launched by the National Association of Counties (NACo), Operation Green Light raises awareness of the challenges many veterans face and

Black-and-white photo of the U.S. Capitol dome with bold text overlay reading “LA County Veteran Services Available Amid Shutdown.” A red banner at the bottom features the Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and VPAN logos.

Los Angeles County Reaffirms Support During Shutdown

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 31, 2025) — As the federal government shutdown continues to impact federal programs and services that many rely on, local and County services remain fully available and prepared to support those affected — offering connection to food, emergency financial assistance, benefits, and more. “During these challenging times of a federal shutdown, LA County stands firm in our commitment to support our veterans and their families. We understand the critical need for uninterrupted services and are dedicated to ensuring that no veteran is left behind,” said James Zenner, Director, MVA. “Our efforts to bridge the gaps and provide essential services will continue with unwavering dedication. We are here for our veterans, now more than ever.” Impacts of the Federal Shutdown While many critical federal programs continue operating, the shutdown has caused temporary pauses or delays in several areas that affect veterans, service members, and families, including: VA career counseling, transition, and outreach programs VA regional benefits offices, currently closed GI Bill Hotline (1-888-GIBILL-1) and Memorial Products Hotline (1-800-697-6947), temporarily unavailable VA cemetery maintenance and pre-need burial applications, delayed Federal outreach and communications, including social media and VetResources updates CalFresh (SNAP): Households will receive October benefits as scheduled,

October 31, 2025

Four people gather inside a decorated office space with military flags and an American flag made of red, white, and blue materials displayed on the wall. An older woman in a wheelchair sits at the front, smiling, wearing a light pink blouse and black-and-white patterned pants. Behind her stand two men and a woman—one man in a green military veteran shirt and cap, another in a patterned button-up shirt, and a woman in glasses and a light pink top. The group appears friendly and proud, surrounded by veteran-related displays.

Stronger Together: How Local Veteran Partnerships Helped a Surviving Spouse

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 31, 2025) —The Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) and local veteran partners recently worked together to bridge a gap in benefits and dignity—turning one act of kindness into a model for collaborative veteran support. When Mary Heiss, the surviving spouse of Vietnam War Army Veteran James Heiss, came to the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA), she needed help applying for survivors’ benefits. After losing her son in 2021 and her husband in April 2025, she was struggling financially and unable to obtain her husband’s death certificate or remains because of a balance owed to the mortuary. Without those documents, she couldn’t move forward with her claim. The MVA team quickly mobilized to connect Mary with community partners who could help. Within the same day, Commander Maria McKinney of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12034 in La Verne and President Alan Stelzer of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 446 in Pasadena stepped in to help. The VVA paid the full balance owed to the mortuary, allowing Mary to bring her husband home. The VFW provided relief funds, purchased a special urn, and offered to host

October 31, 2025

MVA Monthly Thread – August 2025

MVA Today – February 2025

MVA Today – March 2024

MVA Quarterly Report – Spring Edition

MVA Today – January 2024

MVA Quarterly Report – Winter Edition

Announcement on Federal Decision to Expand Housing Ac…

Patriotic Hall To Be Named County Historic Landmark July 8

Cultural Competency Training to Expand and Improve Coordina…

MVA Unveils Cultural Competency Training To Improve

Veteran Homelessness Drops 22.9% From Year Before July 3

News Archive

MVA Launches Media Campaign to Reach Underserved Veterans October 6, 2022

A group of children wearing backpacks stand in line with adults at an information table during a community event. Volunteers behind the table share resources on financial planning and services.

MVA News

Backpacks and Unity Fill Patriotic Hall for Veterans’ Families

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 2, 2025) – Nearly 200 veterans and their families gathered at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles for the Veterans Advocacy Group of America (VAGA

News Archive

MVA Launches Media Campaign to Reach Underserved Veterans October 6, 2022

May 22, 2024 – Patriotic Hall Honors Asian American Veterans

News Archive

March 14, 2024 – MVA Joins Partnership For Veterans Transitioning Into Civilian Status

News Archive

February 6, 2024 – MVA Launches Homeless Services Division To Reduce Veteran Homelessness

News Archive

Culinary Training for U.S. Veterans

CALVET College Fee Waiver for Dependents – Apply Now
To apply for a College Fee Waiver, please email an accredited MVA Veteran Service Officer at info@mva.lacounty.gov, FAX the following documents to (213) 744-4444 or call (877) 4LA-VETS.

News Archive

New Faces of Freedom

New Faces of Freedom
To commemorate the twenty-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9.11.01, the LA County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has produced a series of videos with service men, women and families from the post 9-11 military era, entitled “New Faces of Freedom.”

MVA Today – February 2025

MVA Quarterly Report – Spring Edition

MVA Today – January 2024

MVA Today – March 2024

MVA Quarterly Report – Winter Edition

Announcement on Federal Decision to Expand Housing Ac…

Patriotic Hall To Be Named County Historic Landmark July 8

Cultural Competency Training to Expand and Improve Coordina…

MVA Unveils Cultural Competency Training To Improve

Veteran Homelessness Drops 22.9% From Year Before July 3

News

Veteran Women’s Summit

Join us for a day filled with engaging speakers and breakout sessions tailored to address the most common barriers veteran women face when seeking services

News

CALVET College Fee Waivers

To apply for a College Fee Waiver, please email an accredited MVA Veteran Service Officer at info@mva.lacounty.gov, FAX the following documents to (213) 744-4444 or call (877) 4LA-VETS.