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On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey released a video message in honor of Veterans Day.
“My fellow Alabamians: We live in the greatest nation on Earth, and generations of veterans preserved this very truth,” said the Governor. “Throughout my life, I have held a deep respect and love for our military because of my father’s service in World War II. My father, Boadman Nettles Ivey, was a captain in the field artillery. He landed at Normandy six days after D-Day and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.”
“My father’s service and that of veterans throughout our nation’s history are why we can live in freedom today. To the more than 400,000 veterans who call Alabama home – we thank you for all you have sacrificed for our country. Please know I am more committed than ever to support both you and your families,” Ivey continued.
The governor went on to tout the state’s treatment of its veterans.
“I am proud Alabama is a great state for veterans. From your transition to civilian life, we are there to help further your education, build your business and even enjoy our abundant natural resources,” she said.
“Our work is far from over, though, but I am confident the best is yet to come. In Alabama, we love our country and all she stands for, and we love our veterans. On Veterans Day – and everyday – we honor you and salute you for your service,” Ivey concluded. “May God continue to bless each of you, the great state of Alabama and these United States of America!”
Ivey’s comments come after the governor recently ousted Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Kent Davis, the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs.
Ivey held a special meeting of the Alabama Board of Veterans Affairs last month with the intention of immediately removing Davis from his position. However, only two of the board’s seven members voted in favor of Ivey’s motion, leading the governor to call upon the rarely-used “supreme executive power” to oust Davis in spite of the failed vote.
Some have questioned the legality of Davis’s removal, while others have claimed that the move will only serve to hurt Alabama’s veterans. Although Ivey alleged that her decision to remove Davis came in response to his mishandling of departmental affairs, the governor’s feud with Davis appeared to be connected to an ethics complaint which Davis had filed against Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell, a member of Ivey’s cabinet, earlier this year.
Davis said that he had reported the potential ethics violations after three of his board members raised concerns about the ADMH colluding with state officials to prevent his department from receiving $7 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
