In Alabama’s small towns and countryside, veterans continue to serve long after leaving the uniform. They are teachers, first responders, mentors and guardians of the land, farms and families that sustain their communities. Their work supports local schools, businesses and the broader rural economy. Their commitment does not end.
“Here in Alabama, service is part of who we are,” says Dr. David L. Albright, University Distinguished Professor with The University of Alabama Barefield College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Political Science, principal investigator of VitAL Alabama. “From the earliest days of our nation, Lincoln reminded us to ‘care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.’ Supporting veterans and their families isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s an investment in the towns, workplaces, and families that make our state strong.”
This Veterans Day, their stories deserve attention not only for past service but for the vital role they continue to play in rural Alabama — and for the challenges they face when care is far away. In many remote counties, access to high-quality, integrated health care remains a serious challenge.
The Alabama Veteran Behavioral Health Landscape Report, a research study conducted by VitAL Alabama at The University of Alabama, highlights these challenges. VitAL is a statewide initiative that delivers practical ways to support mental health and community well-being. The study paints a clear picture of Alabama veterans’ mental health, substance use trends and the support systems currently in place. Grounded in a commitment to strengthening communities, this work guides policy and local action to improve behavioral health services and access to care.
Rural veterans often face long travel distances to reach medical centers, limited local resources and fewer providers trained in veteran-specific care. These barriers can affect mental health, substance-use recovery and overall well-being. Telehealth offers one way to connect veterans with specialists who might be hours from their home, but local, community-based care remains essential.
Addressing these gaps means integrating services into the fabric of rural life: local clinics, mobile care units, volunteer networks, peer-support programs and partnerships with community organizations. Collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs, local clinics and hospitals, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations ensure veterans do not fall through the cracks when resources are limited.
“Rural veterans are at the heart of their communities,” Albright said. “When we care for their well-being, we’re not just supporting individuals: we’re helping the schools where children learn, the businesses that employ neighbors, the families who gather for Sunday dinners, and the churches that bring communities together. Helping veterans thrive means strengthening the places and people that rely on their dedication every day.”
Albright was recently appointed Chair of the Veterans’ Rural Health Advisory Committee, a federal advisory body that advises the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs on ways to strengthen access and quality of care for veterans living in rural communities. The committee brings together experts from across the country to help the VA better meet the needs of nearly five million rural veterans.
As chair, Albright helps shape national strategies to improve access to primary care, mental health services, and innovative delivery models that reach veterans where they live. His appointment highlights Alabama’s role in advancing solutions for rural veterans, many of whom face challenges related to distance, transportation and provider shortages.
The most powerful stories of service remain local: a veteran coaching little league, volunteering at the fire department, mentoring students. Their work is visible, but their health needs may be hidden. Rural veterans answer the call when needed, and communities owe them a system that delivers accessible, dependable, comprehensive care close to home.
Honoring rural Alabama veterans this Veterans Day means more than ceremonies. It calls for action, strengthening local services, investing in the people who provide care, supporting community programs and building coordinated systems that deliver whole-person health to veterans where they live.
“This Veterans Day, when rural veterans thrive, rural Alabama thrives too,” Albright said.