SPVAQ42020 - 23

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t is a brave and selfless thing for an
individual to dedicate a portion, or
all, of one's life for military service.
This service comes in many shapes
and forms, depending on which branch
of the service one serves-from flying
jets and cargo planes, manning naval
carriers and submarines, and providing
reconnaissance for ground patrols
to leading combat operations and
dismantling explosive ordinance. Not to
mention other military careers that may
not be the first to come to mind such as
doctors and lawyers.
The military and Virginia have
ties that go back to the founding of
our country. From young colonists
fighting in the Battle of Yorktown
which effectively ended the American
Revolutionary War to the Bedford Boys
storming the beaches of Normandy in
1944 to modern conflicts around the
world, Virginians have answered the call
of service time and time again.

These long ties to the service are
reflected in many spirits brands
throughout the commonwealth. It
doesn't take long to look at those who
create these signature whiskeys, rums
and more to find roots linking back to
military service.
Join Virginia ABC in raising a glass to
those who defend our country at home
and abroad and learn more about the
history of Virginia spirits and the military.

VIRGINIA'S MILITARY TIES
The Commonwealth of Virginia is rich
with military ties.
With approximately 130,000 active
duty personnel, Virginia has the secondlargest active duty population of all 50
states. The Army, Marine Corps, Navy,
Air Force and Coast Guard all have
installations and personnel in the state.
The U.S. Army has bases at Fort Belvoir,
Fort Lee, Fort Eustis and A.P. Hill. Joint

Base Langley-Eustis supports Air Force
and Army personnel. Virginia's coastal
areas are home to several U.S. Navy sites
including Naval Amphibious Base Little
Creek, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Naval
Air Station Oceana, Yorktown Naval
Weapons Station, Dam Neck and several
support service facilities. Marine Corps
Community Services reside at Camp
Allen and Quantico. Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall is commanded by the
Army but also hosts resident commands
of the Navy and Marines.
The Commonwealth is also home to
the Virginia Army National Guard at Fort
Pickett, Coast Guard stations and the
Virginia Air National Guard.
These installations and their personnel
not only have a positive impact on the
Virginia economy, they are also a source
of great pride for the Commonwealth.
Our state is also proud to be home to
a vast number of military veterans-
with currently 780,000 veterans in

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020 23
SPVAQ42020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SPVAQ42020
