Even the most wonderful time of the year can be stressful and emotionally complicated. That’s because December is a demanding month for many, and veterans and VA employees are no exception. Fortunately, there is an answer for the holiday blues: self-compassion.   The art of self-compassion is all about being considerate, connecting with others, and adopting an attitude of self-kindness rather than judgment. This kind of mindful awareness is often the best gift we can give […]

More than 5,600 locations nationwide will participate in this year’s Wreaths Across America on Saturday, December 13. Thousands of Americans will descend on cemeteries throughout the country to assist in the laying of holiday wreaths at the grave markers of the nation’s veterans.  The purpose of Wreaths of America is three-fold: First, to remember individual veterans among the millions who rest in honored glory. Second, to openly honor them by providing volunteer opportunities for those […]

Immersive Technology is any technology that extends reality or creates a new reality by leveraging the 360-degree space. Because Immersive Technology leverages that sphere, users can look in any direction and see content. VA is embracing Immersive Technology as it transforms how veterans experience care and offers innovative tools that improve access, engagement, and health outcomes.  Some types of Immersive Technology extend reality by overlaying digital images on a user’s environment. Others create a new […]

On the morning of December 7, 1941, a Sunday morning not unlike this upcoming Sunday, the course of American history changed forever. The Japanese military descended on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, destroying battleships, aircraft, and facilities during the shocking attack 84 years ago that eventually led to the post-war creation of the Blinded Veterans Association and similar organizations that still today serve as advocates for veterans. The events are recalled this […]

The House of Representatives, Senate, and President have now all acted on S. 2392, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2025, sponsored originally by Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS). The measure passed both the House and Senate chambers and was signed by President Donald Trump on November 25. This year’s COLA kicks in additional compensation for inflation for wartime disability, dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and […]

Throughout November, BVA Happenings has highlighted “Signing in the Dark: How Blind and Visually Impaired People Can Digitally Sign Documents with Apple Previewer, TeamViewer, and Aira.” In this unique Visions of BVA episode, podcast host Steve Baskis demonstrates how blind and visually impaired individuals can sign otherwise inaccessible digital documents using these three technologies. “This is not a full tutorial but an introduction to the concept of signing,” Steve has said in describing the program. […]

VA is now encouraging all veterans who were discharged from military service for refusing the COVID vaccine, numbering perhaps in the thousands, to seek an upgraded status and apply for restored GI Bill benefits.  A Department press advisory, distributed earlier this week, referenced President Trump’s January Executive Order 14184, Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate. Following issuance of the Executive Order, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed the military departments to […]

The Thanksgiving season means family, friends, and yummy smells coming from the kitchen that can tempt us to “pawtake” in the feasting. Although we are a part of the family, it is important for humans to know that some of the food on the table can be harmful to our bellies and even, in some cases, toxic! Below is a quick list of “paw-approved” foods and foods to avoid during the Thanksgiving holiday and stretching […]

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) celebrates its 84th birthday on Monday, December 1. As the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP was, ironically, established just six days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Its purpose was to provide civilian air support to aid the war effort of World War II through border and coastal patrols, military training assistance, courier services, and other activities. After the close of the war, CAP was transferred […]

The scheduled meeting of the BVA Book Club for Wednesday evening, November 26 (Thanksgiving Eve), has been suspended due to possible conflicts with holiday preparations for the following day. The club will likely resume meeting sometime in December but probably not on the scheduled Wednesday, December 24 date when a potential holiday conflict could also occur.  Group Leader Anthony Woodson advises both current readers and those new to the book club to start and/or continue […]