Senator Warner helped launch the Blue Star Museums initiative for the region's military families today at Norfolk's Chrysler Museum of Art. It's a partnership between the non-profit Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts to provide free admission for military families at 800 museums and cultural institutions across the nation through Labor Day.

You'll find a complete list of participating museums in Virginia here.

“This is a great way to demonstrate support for our military personnel and their families, and I congratulate the Chrysler Museum and all of the other Virginia cultural sites that have stepped-up to partner with the Blue Star Museums program,” Senator Warner said.

As Monique Rizer of the Military Officers Association of Virginia spouse program told a reporter for WTKR NewsChannel 3: "Programs like these remind military families that the country still remembers the sacrifices we are making at home and overseas.”

Afterwards, Senator Warner visited Old Dominion University's new veteran outreach center to host a great roundtable discussion with veterans organizations, military officials and leaders of local non-profit organizations about ways those communities might work together in a more structured way.

Reporter Hugh Lessig covered the event for The Daily Press:

"First, the good news: Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan remain committed to public service after taking off the uniform, a recent survey found...

But tapping that reservoir of good intentions isn't always easy, and on Thursday Sen. Mark R. Warner chaired a discussion in the heart of military-rich Hampton Roads to explore possible solutions. The Virginia senator has a stake in the issue: Last year, he successfully pushed for a Veterans' Corps to be included in the Serve America Act. One of its aims: providing more options for veterans who are considering public service."

At lunchtime, Senator Warner discussed this initiative, and many other issues, during an hour-long visit to WHRV public radio's "HearSay with Cathy Lewis" program. You can listen to the program here.

Next up: a meeting with Norfolk-based U.S. Army General James Mattis -- a meeting that was interrupted by word from Washington that General Mattis had been nominated by the White House to lead U.S. Central Command.

"We kind of talked through the announcement," Senator Warner joked later to a local newspaper reporter.

"I felt bad because he missed the chance to turn on CNN or FOX News because he was talking to me." Senator Warner said Mattis "gives me great confidence," calling him an innovative military thinker who has served well in both wars in Iraq and on-the-ground in Afghanistan.

Senator Warner ended the day at the kickoff to the City of Hampton's 400th birthday, stopping by the premiere of a documentary on the city's history and even making an appearance at the pirate-themed costume ball that kicks-off the annual Blackbeard Festival.

Before ye ask, matey -- the answer is no, the Senator did not appear in a pirate costume.