#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veterans James and Valarie Hoover

Today’s co-#VeteranOfTheDay are Navy Veterans James and Valarie Hoover. James served from 1977-1981. Valarie served from 1977-1979.

James enlisted in the Navy in 1977 and subsequently attended boot camp at Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Orlando, Florida. At his boot camp graduation, James earned the title of Honor Graduate. In 1978, he was stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico. During his time in the Navy, James served on the USS King (DDG-41) and earned the rank of EM2.

Valarie enlisted in the Navy in 1977, and attended boot camp at RTC in Orlando, Florida. After graduating boot camp, Valarie would receive training to become a hospital corpsman at the corps school in Great Lakes, Illinois. Valarie would subsequently be stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico.

While stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, the two sailors met and married in December of 1978. Coincidentally, Valarie and James graduated recruit training a week apart. Unbeknownst to them, Valarie actually sang in the chorus at James’s boot camp graduation.

After being honorably discharged, James began working as a regional actor in commercials, television, and film.

Valarie has a total of 27 years of federal service. Since 1994, she has worked at the Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center. She started as a phlebotomist in the laboratory, but now she is currently the Region 3 Team Lead Information Security Officer.

Valarie and James continue to live in Roanoke, Virginia, and together have raised four daughters.

James and Valarie will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary today, December 22, 2018.

Thank you for your service, James and Valarie!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Graphic By Whitney Moore: Whitney is an undergraduate senior at Southern New Hampshire University studying Social Media Marketing.