On February 3rd, part of our team had the opportunity to attend Phelps County Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri, and in more than one way, it felt like stepping into a real-life episode of Schoolhouse Rock.
Not the cartoon version, of course - but the real, working version of government in action.
We spent the day learning more about the legislative process, seeing how decisions are debated and shaped, and gaining a deeper understanding of how state-level policy impacts local communities. It was one of those experiences that takes concepts most of us learned about in school and brings them into much sharper focus.
But more than the setting, what stood out was the conversation.
We had the chance to hear directly from elected leaders and engage in thoughtful, meaningful discussions about the issues that affect our region and the people who live here. We’re especially grateful for the time and insights shared by Governor Mike Kehoe, Senator Justin Brown, State Representative Tara J. Peters, State Representative Bennie Cook, Representative Bill Hardwick, the Rolla Chamber of Commerce, and the many others who helped make the day both valuable and educational.
Days like this reinforce something we believe strongly at United Veteran Benefits Agency: advocacy begins with staying informed, showing up, and being willing to listen.
It’s easy to think of advocacy as something abstract or distant. But in reality, it often looks like sitting in a room, paying attention, asking better questions, and walking away with a clearer understanding than you had before. It looks like learning how the process actually works—so you can better navigate it, explain it, and advocate within it.
For us, this matters deeply because of who we serve.
When we better understand how decisions are made at the state level, we’re better positioned to support Veterans and their families with clarity, context, and care. The more insight we have into how systems operate, the better we can help translate those systems into something that feels less overwhelming and more navigable for the people who rely on us.
Local involvement isn’t just good for business. It’s essential for serving people well.
We left the Capitol with a deeper appreciation for the work being done there—and with an even stronger commitment to staying engaged, informed, and connected to the communities we serve.
So we’ll leave you with this question: What helps you feel more connected to your community?
Because showing up—wherever that looks like for you—is often where real understanding begins.
