VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Navy is celebrating its ombudsmen.
They're civilian volunteers who serve as the liaison between deployed service members and their families. They dispel rumors, resolve family problems, pass along homecoming information, and more.
On Friday night, the Navy League held a dinner in their honor at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. In Hampton Roads, there are 270 ombudsmen who serve more than 200,000 sailors! That means each one is assigned 700 to 800 families.
The Navy said these volunteers are vital to the success of the branch, especially in recent months.
"Since we've been operating in combat homes and extended deployments, that connective tissue between the commanding officer and the families has never been more important," said Admiral Daryl Caudle, Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "They serve a vital role. They help families understand the resources available to them and they just give some peace and comfort to them."
Among those who honored the ombudsmen at Friday's dinner was Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin.