Glenville: Hoping for more veteran support from state lawmakers

GLENVILLE — With Glenville State University on break for the summer, Charlie Yakubow had a little time Tuesday morning to walk his black Labrador around campus.

Yakubow is the director of the college’s military family support program. He spends most of the year making sure the student service members — a small but growing population — have the support they need.

“It’s very challenging,” Yakubow said. “Their military lifestyle is so rigid. And once they are discharged…they’re just let go.”

There are plenty of things Yakubow believes lawmakers could do to help his veteran students. He thinks the state could incentivize employers to create jobs that match the skills people develop in the military.

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Additionally, Yakubow said expanding the G.I. Bill to cover higher education for both veterans and their family members could encourage more people to pursue college degrees. Right now, many veterans transfer their benefits to their children or spouse.

“But later on, if they find a position, then they have to pay for it themselves,” he said.

These issues will be on Yakubow’s mind when he and his wife go to the polls later on Tuesday. He noted that, like his students, some of the people running for office are veterans.

But he doesn’t expect candidates’ military status to sway his vote. Through his job, Yakubow is reminded that politicians often are comfortable supporting veterans until it comes time to directly address their issues, like inadequate access to mental health care.

“You can talk the talk,” he said. “But are you really going to walk the walk?”

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