Veterans who put down roots in a community bring more than a resume. They bring lived experience, a service mindset, and the potential to strengthen the very systems that often fail them.
As of 2023, there were nearly 16 million veterans across the U.S.—about 6% of all adults. These aren’t just numbers. They’re our neighbors, coworkers, and future community leaders.
When we include families, the impact is even greater: more than 2.6 million Americans are part of military families, including over a million spouses and 1.6 million children. Designing systems with veterans in mind means strengthening entire households, classrooms, workforces, and neighborhoods.
When communities are truly ready—not just to welcome veterans, but to include and empower them—they gain residents. They gain mentors, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates who make neighborhoods stronger and futures more stable.
That’s what our upcoming webinar is all about.
Register for “Where Veterans Land, Communities Grow” June 25, 3 p.m. EDT
This isn’t just a panel—it’s a reflection of what’s possible when lived experience guides real change.
You’ll hear from veterans who’ve walked the transition path:
Roy Martin is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with over 20 years of global leadership experience. He now serves as Director of Outreach and Partnerships at INvets, helping transitioning service members and veterans connect to careers across Indiana.
Roy’s commitment to service continues beyond his professional role. He launched a 501(c)(3) to support his children’s music department, promotes financial literacy through a community banking initiative, and volunteers at the courthouse. He also gives his time to veterans’ treatment courts and Toys for Tots across nine counties.
You’ll also meet Dana Lescoe, a retired Senior Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army and now Director of Veteran Ambassadors at INvets. Dana brings a powerful mix of tactical expertise and community insight to everything he does. Whether he’s helping a family resettle in Indiana, partnering with the South Bend Cubs to honor veterans, or creating TikToks that speak directly to younger transitioning service members, Dana’s goal is clear: build systems that work for veterans and their families.
And then there’s Ernesto Rivas, a Marine veteran and current Manager for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, overseeing veteran services across Northern Indiana. With over a decade in workforce and veteran services, Ernesto has built programs that connect the most vulnerable veterans—including those experiencing homelessness—with housing, employment, and long-term support. He’s the founder of Stand Down with a Heart, a grassroots initiative that brings dignity and services to veterans in crisis and has led community beautification and outreach. Ernesto doesn’t just advocate, he acts.
We believe veterans are more than a “population” to serve. They’re a signal that our systems must work better for everyone. If a community isn’t ready to fully receive veterans and their families, it likely isn’t working for others either. This conversation isn’t just about support, it’s about redesigning housing, workforce, and education systems to create a more responsive, resilient future.
Let’s make sure that when veterans land in your town, they thrive—and help it thrive too.
Register for the June 25 webinar here.
Missed the Part 1 of TPMA’s Veteran Ready Community series? Learn more and watch the recording here.