Bridgeport, W.Va. – WV Secretary of State Kris Warner recently assembled a group of state and local leaders to welcome a visitation team from the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) to Bridgeport as the organization considers Harrison County as one of two finalist locations for its new national headquarters. The VVA is evaluating Bridgeport, West Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as potential sites for the organization's future home after conducting a nationwide search and reviewing opportunities in multiple states.
From Left to Right: VVA Director of National Legislative Affairs Captain James McCormick, VVA President Tom Burke, WV Secretary of State Kris Warner, and VVA General Counsel Dominick Yezzo.
The VVA delegation included National President Tom Burke, General Counsel Dominick Yezzo, and Director of National Legislative Affairs Captain James McCormick. During their visit, the delegation met with state, regional, and local officials and received presentations highlighting West Virginia's strong support for veterans, economic advantages, quality healthcare, transportation infrastructure, and outstanding quality of life.
Secretary Warner coordinated efforts with local leaders to showcase the assets that make Harrison County and the Charles Pointe development an attractive location for the organization's headquarters. The proposed site would be located in the 600 Building at Charles Pointe in Bridgeport.
“West Virginia has a long and proud history of military service, sacrifice, and patriotism,” Secretary Warner said. “We were honored to welcome the Vietnam Veterans of America leadership team and demonstrate why Bridgeport and Harrison County would be an exceptional home for their national headquarters. More importantly, we wanted them to experience firsthand the hospitality, character, and deep respect for veterans that define our state.”
During the visit, officials highlighted the region's extensive healthcare resources, including the Louis A. Johnson Veterans' Administration Medical Center, WVU Medicine, Vandalia Health, and Community Care of West Virginia facilities, as well as transportation assets such as North Central West Virginia Airport. Community leaders also emphasized cultural amenities, educational opportunities, economic development initiatives, and the area's proximity to Washington, D.C.
According to VVA officials, the organization is seeking a location that will allow it to reduce operating costs while continuing to serve veterans and their families nationwide. The organization currently has more than 92,000 members and over 600 chapters worldwide, including 16 chapters in West Virginia.
If selected, the headquarters' relocation could bring approximately 30 jobs to North Central West Virginia, with many of those positions expected to be filled locally. VVA leadership has also discussed the possibility of establishing an additional satellite office in the eastern panhandle to support its legislative and advocacy work in Washington.
“Veterans have always been an important part of West Virginia's identity,” Warner said. “Our state has one of the nation's highest concentrations of veterans, and our communities understand the value of service and sacrifice. We believe the Vietnam Veterans of America would find not only a strategic location here, but also a community that truly appreciates its mission.”
The VVA visitation team toured the area, met with community stakeholders, and received presentations from officials representing government, healthcare, economic development, tourism, and the business community. A final site selection decision is expected in August.
Click Here for photos of the VVA Visitation Team visit to Bridgeport.
