For many years, Still Serving Veterans (SSV) has helped thousands of veterans navigate the transition from military service to civilian life. Founded in 2006, SSV provides no-cost career counseling, Veterans Affairs benefits assistance, and supportive services to service members and their loved ones.

On Tuesday, June 23rd, the organization and its supporters gathered for a double celebration to mark SSV’s 20th anniversary and to officially open its new headquarters at Wynn Drive.

At the ribbon cutting, Rear Adm. (Ret.) Rich Landolt, chief executive officer of Still Serving Veterans, said the anniversary represents more than just a celebration of the organization’s first 20 years, it is a moment to honor its accomplishments and reaffirm its commitment to helping veterans in the future.

“For 20 years, our community has stood alongside us in supporting veterans and their families as they navigate life’s next mission. The opening of our new facility reflects our commitment to meeting the growing needs of those we serve, and we look forward to building on this legacy of impact for decades to come,” Landolt said.

According to the nonprofit, over the last five years, the organization has helped its clients secure more than 7,000 jobs. During that time, SSV provided over $380,000 in emergency financial assistance to 639 families, and assisted more than 11,000 clients in recovering nearly $50 million in VA benefits.

Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce 2026 Board Chair Jami Peyton said organizations like SSV play an important role in strengthening both the local workforce and the community.

“Their work not only strengthens the individual lives, but our entire community. Huntsville’s success has always been tied to the service and leadership of our military and community, and organizations like Still Serving Veterans help ensure that legacy continues,” Peyton said.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle echoed Peyton’s remarks and reflected on the community’s unwavering commitment to supporting those who have faithfully served our country. Battle noted that SSV’s success is rooted in a shared belief that veterans deserve continued care after leaving the military.

“Twenty years ago, this community said, ‘We need to do better. We need to provide for our veterans,” Battle said.

Battle acknowledged SSV’s 20-year milestone and reflected on Huntsville’s consistent care for those who have served in America’s military.

“This community will always support our veterans. When we have Veterans Day, it turns into Veterans Week, which turns into Veterans Month, and it turns into Veterans Year, and it should be that way,” Battle said.

After the ribbon-cutting, SSV hosted a tour of their new facility and commemorated the occasion with refreshments and live music.

The nonprofit also presented its inaugural SSV Founder’s Award to Scott Smiley, a retired U.S. Army officer whose story of courage and resilience has inspired countless others.

While leading a platoon in Mosul, Iraq, in 2005, Smiley was blinded and temporarily paralyzed after a suicide car bomb exploded close to him.

Despite his injuries, he became the first blind active-duty officer in U.S. military history, later serving as an instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Smiley retired from the Army in 2015. Today, he shares his message of perseverance, faith, and hope through speaking engagements and his book, Hope Unseen.

At SSV’s event, Smiley gratefully accepted the honor and reflected on the organization’s founding and the community that has supported its mission over the past two decades.

Local veterans seeking assistance from SSV can call the nonprofit at 256-883-7035 or visit its new facility in Huntsville at 430 Wynn Drive NW.