Service Through Community: How Veterans and Their Families Continue to Serve America

For Alexa and George Rice, military service was only the beginning.

After years of sacrifice and deployments, they wanted to keep making a difference, not just for veterans, but for all Americans. Through Concerned Veterans for America, they found that opportunity.

In Alexa’s words: “Veterans have a heart of service. We don’t just stop when we take the uniform off.”

A Family Built on Service

George served ten years in the Army as an infantryman, completing three combat deployments. His wife, Alexa, held things together at home through the long separations, missed holidays, and stressors that come with military life.

Between training and deployments, George was away from home more than half the time. The distance was hard, but it revealed their shared strength and commitment. Both learned that they had a heart for service and community.

When George’s time in uniform came to an end, however, life didn’t suddenly get easier. In fact, the transition to civilian life was a challenge.

“There’s no easy transition from military life into civilian life,” Alexa recalls, “I felt like I lost a sense of purpose, and I know George kind of felt the same way.”

Rediscovering Purpose After the Military

Like many veterans, the Rice family had to find a new way to serve. The mission-driven values they shared didn’t disappear, so Alexa and George learned to channel them in a new direction. That search led them to CVA.

It was here that the couple discovered a new purpose that felt as important as their military service ― working to strengthen America while serving as a voice for veterans and military families.

“Veterans don’t just hang it up when they come home. We want to serve our communities and our country in new ways.” – Alexa Rice

Turning a Passion for Service into Action

At CVA, Alexa found a way to put her experience into action. She had already been volunteering with CVA, and today, she serves as the digital engagement director, connecting veterans and supporters nationwide. Her work helps build a network of Americans ready to lead, volunteer, and make an impact.

George now volunteers his time with CVA, helping to bring the veteran perspectives to lawmakers and community leaders through advocacy and canvassing.

According to Alexa, CVA is different because “we bring our community’s voices to lawmakers. We come with solutions, not just complaints.”

CVA empowers veterans and their families to continue leading by advocating policies such as:

The Veteran ACCESS Act, which would improve VA services for the heroes who earned it
The Prevent Government Shutdown Act, a law that would make government shutdowns much less common
Stopping endless wars by bringing our troops home

Veterans understand the real-world impact of these decisions, and they’re using that experience to help shape a better future.

Continuing the Mission

George is confident that their best days aren’t behind them. “We’re not done serving. We’re just getting started.”

As part of CVA, the Rices have joined a grassroots army of veteran volunteers across the country who continue to serve the U.S. through their voices and advocacy. Together, they’re proving that America is strongest when veterans lead the way.

Every day, veterans like Alexa and George are turning their experience into leadership that strengthens communities and our nation. They’ve shown that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

Watch Alexa and George’s story to see how they’re continuing their service below.