VA awarded more than $77 million in grants during Fiscal Year 2025 for the expansion and improvement of 20 state veterans cemeteries throughout the nation and one establishment grant for Alaska’s first state veterans cemetery. VA’s National Cemetery Administration reimburses states for the cost of building, improving, or expanding state-run veteran cemeteries. Later, state grants typically fund the construction of pre-placed crypts, columbaria, and improvements required to continue interments and operations. Using the button below, […]

More than 5,600 locations nationwide participated in this year’s Wreaths Across America on December 13. Thousands of Americans descended on cemeteries throughout the country to assist in the laying of holiday wreaths at the grave markers of the nation’s veterans. The cleanup of the wreaths is a work-in-progress that continues in many of the nation’s cemeteries. Among the willing and able participants in the laying of the wreaths at the Alexandria National Cemetery was the […]

David Jones, BVA member and Ambassador from Ooltewah, Tennessee, has offered to share his passion and ability to play the harmonica with any interested BVA member. The lessons can be conducted via Facetime calls or by telephone. According to David, possessing sight is not a requirement for playing the harmonica, which consists of four basic holes that can produce eight different sounds. David plays in memory of his father and for his brothers, the latter […]

The most recent audio episode of Visions of BVA, released on January 1, is now live and accessible on all major platforms, most notably the Association’s YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Featured this month is the audio version of the Autumn 2025 BVA Bulletin, the most recent issue of the quarterly publication produced by and for blind and low vision veterans and their families. Host and producer Steve Baskis has converted a written script […]

BVA’s Gary Schoerlerman, Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group, asserts that celebrating the holiday season in southern Louisiana requires partaking in a good, spicy Gumbo. Nothing else will do, he said. On December 13, for the third year in a row, the regional group did just that, courtesy of Noah’s Café in the City of Lafayette, Louisiana. The holiday season only got better from there with a couple of additional Braille flag presentations and a special ceremony honoring […]

BVA’s District 1 will host a “District One Weekend” in Hampton Roads, Virginia, from 12:00pm (noon) on Friday, April 17, until 12:00pm on Sunday, April 19, Director of District 1 John O’Connell has announced. Family members and caregivers are encouraged to attend with their veterans. Although this announcement will be the only one visible to at-large members who reside within District 1, all at-large members who do not belong to a regional group are encouraged […]

Happy New Year Greetings from Lea Rowe, Interim Executive Director We appreciate your patience during December as we navigated several logistical hurdles. A combination of the government shutdown, holiday schedules, and external web server outages prevented us from sending our regular updates. Despite these challenges, our team adapted quickly, using alternative formats such as the December 19 BVA Happenings to keep information flowing. While the shutdown temporarily restricted some Veteran Service Officers’ access to VA […]

It came all too quickly for some, but the transition into the New Year by BVA members, their families, and caregivers is now complete! As such, the Association’s National Board of Directors and National Headquarters are honored to send best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year as the nation simultaneously kicks off its 250th birthday celebrations. We express sincere gratitude to all in the BVA community for your service to both the organization […]

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 […]