Virginia State Parks are honored to have veterans choose careers within our parks. Before getting into their service history and how it relates to their state park service, let’s learn how Veteran’s Day came to be.

Veteran’s Day History

Originally called Armistice Day, President Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first commemoration of what we know today as Veteran’s Day. Armistice, by definition, is an agreement between opposing sides of war to stop fighting. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, to recognize November 11 as a legal holiday. An act approved on May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.”

“Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.” -U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs

Veterans working at Virginia State Parks

A couple veterans opened up about their time serving our country and how it led them to Virginia State Parks. They highlight commonalities between the service of our country and our state.

Chris Fritz, park manager at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Chris Fritz recalls, “I first got my taste of Virginia State Parks in 2017 when I volunteered in the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps Interpretive Trails program at Natural Bridge State Park. The following summer I enlisted in the Virginia National Guard and shipped off to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training and upon completion I returned to Virginia to begin my master's degree at James Madison University. Over the course of that year, I knew that I wanted to get back into Virginia State Parks during that summer, so I applied and was accepted into the Park Ranger Career Development Program."

“I was assigned to Fairy Stone State Park in the summer of 2019. That summer, I realized that I had found my home and a career in Virginia State Parks. I elected to stay on after the completion of my internship and work in a wage position while competing for full-time jobs across the state. It was only fitting that a position would come open at Fairy Stone later that year, and I began my full-time career that November.” said Fritz.

Fritz reflected on the commonalities between his service federally and at the state level, “Many comparisons can be drawn between military service and time as a park ranger, especially as a law enforcement ranger. Many of the organizational and discipline skills that I've gained during my time in service have had a major impact on my success thus far in this career.”

Thomas Stevens, park manager at Seven Bends State Park

Thomas Stevens served for 15 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and three years on active-duty orders for the U.S. Army Reserve before transitioning to Virginia State Parks while continuing his Army Reserve career. “I currently hold the rank of Major with the U.S. Army Reserve as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer. My 15-year career in the U.S. Army Reserve has largely been dedicated to homeland defense operations serving on teams such as HAZMAT Response, Mass Casualty Decontamination, Urban Search and Rescue, and Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordination Teams.”

After active-duty service with the Army Reserve was complete, Stevens scoured the civilian job market for outdoor recreation-based careers when he stumbled upon Virginia State Parks. “It felt like a great fit and transition, so I went all in and have been with Virginia State Parks for 10 years now. The core skills that any branch of military service demands in order to be successful are the same skills I rely on every day as a park manager - servant leadership, organization, attention to detail, and fostering teamwork and relationships,” said Stevens.

When asked about their favorite aspect of working with Virginia State Parks

Fritz replied,“My favorite thing about Virginia State Parks are the people, both visitors and coworkers alike. The environment and comradery between rangers all across the state is incredible and it likens to military service in that you literally live and work with these folks—day in and day out—and they feel more like family than friends. To top that, this career is rewarding in all regards, knowing that the work you put in makes a difference to the thousands of visitors who pour into our parks every year. You know that the mission you are working towards is for an incredible cause and sustains the most beautiful nature spaces that the commonwealth has to offer."

“My favorite thing about working for Virginia State Parks might sound cliché, but I truly feel a sense of pride in our division's mission and what we provide to the commonwealth and public. There have been many days where I go home at the end of the day knowing that what I helped create, maintain and protect served as an outlet for someone to enjoy, connect with the outdoors, share with others, learn or simply escape,” stated Stevens.

Thank you, veterans!

We want to thank all of our veterans who have chosen careers here at Virginia State Parks and all of our veterans throughout the country.