Community support for veterans and active-duty personnel stationed at Hill Air Force Base makes Davis County a model of action-oriented patriotism, a commitment to service members that extends well beyond symbolic gestures to encompass pragmatic resources aimed at helping veterans and their families make their way through civilian life. From health care assistance and mental health initiatives, to housing support and business opportunities, the county has quickly positioned itself as a hub of support and advocacy for those who have served.

Navigating the transition: Federal benefit information for veterans

For many veterans, years of military service give way to a complex system of federal benefits and healthcare options – which can sometimes be overwhelming. 

“There’s a lot of veterans that, when they transition out of service, they get back into normal life, civilian life,” Taylor Ricks, Director of Communications for the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, said. “They start a new job and the last thing on their mind is healthcare.”

By encouraging veterans to contact the VA regarding health benefits, the department ensures that veterans in Davis County and at Hill Air Force Base receive health care specific to their needs, even when they may have other insurance coverage.

Mental health support: Meeting an urgent need

Mental health continues to be a major concern both in Utah and among its veteran population. While only 5% of Utahns are veterans, that group accounted for 12% of the state’s suicides in 2023, according to Ricks. As part of a new push to try and shrink that disparity, the department partnered with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services on the “Live On Military Playbook.”

“We’re going to continue to work in that area because it’s clearly a big need and continues to be nationwide,” said Ricks. 

The playbook provides critical tools for the families and friends of military members, teaching them how to identify warning signs and to intervene when necessary.

Entrepreneurship: Supporting businesses owned by veterans

Some of the initiatives include the Salt Lake Community College’s Veteran Business Resource Center, a service that will help veterans set up sustainable businesses in Davis County. The center serves more than 1,500 veteran-owned businesses across the state by providing skills training, conferences, and one-on-one consulting geared toward the needs of the veterans.

Events like the “Minnow Tank” pitch competition enable veteran entrepreneurs to compete for small grants to fuel their business ventures. By supporting veterans in entrepreneurship, Davis County opens doors for community members to engage in local businesses owned by veterans, stimulating economic diversity and binding communities together.

Housing support for military and veteran families

With the rise in housing costs, this has been a discouragement for many military families and veterans who wish to settle down near Hill Air Force Base in Davis County. The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs encourages and provides a $2,500 grant to first-time homebuyers for closing costs, paving an easier path toward home ownership. 

“Typically, it’s about $500,000 a year of funding, which ends up being about 180 or so grants that go out,” Ricks said. “People are just very grateful, because it is a very simple process.” 

He says it’s a matter of showing a couple records that you’re a veteran, that you’re just out of service, and that you’re a resident and purchasing a home. 

The housing support is in tandem with the initiatives of the federal government in trying to attend to the aspect of affordability close to military installations. The department continues working with the local communities to ensure that within the area, affordable housing options are available to both veterans and active duty serving members.

One form of patriotism that extends way beyond words to real tangible support is Davis County’s path of supporting veterans and Hill Air Force Base families. Through building a community with partnerships, strategic resources, and accessible services, Davis County strives to lead in honoring service and sacrifice by military personnel. It shows respect from the county level for appreciation to those serving by their being supported in civilian life with comprehensive resources to help them meet their needs. λ