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Curious about Winter’s End? Watch Punxsutawney Phil at Sunrise This Sunday

Winter 2025 has, to this point, been a colder and harsher season than the winters of recent years, at least in and around BVA National Headquarters in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country. Could the elements be tempered somewhat and bring an early spring? For an answer, check in with the semi-mythical, legendary groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil. He will be awakened early on Groundhog Day, February 2, to view, or perhaps fail to view, his […]

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Four Chaplains Day, Largely Unheralded, Recalls Highest in Selfless Sacrifice

This Monday, February 3, marks the 82nd anniversary of the sinking of the United States Army Transport (USAT) Dorchester at the height of World War II.  Four Chaplains Day commemorates numerous legendary acts of heroism by four U.S. Army Chaplains who found themselves together onboard, all representing different faiths but united in purpose. In all likelihood but still not entirely certain, the feats of the four Chaplains consumed little more than an hour aboard the […]

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BVA Auxiliary Revives Renee Feldman Scholarship Program

The BVA Auxiliary (BVAA) Scholarship Committee has reinstated the organization’s annual scholarship program to benefit spouses and generational children (child, grandchild, great-grandchild) of current or deceased BVA members. Effective for semesters during 2025-26, two $2,000 Feldman awards and one valued at $1,500 are open to full-time students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours during the academic year at an accredited vocational and/or technical school, community college, college, or university. The applications are available via […]

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Black History Month and Our Nation’s Veterans

February is recognized and observed annually as Black History Month. Throughout the month, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, is sharing the experiences, challenges and triumphs of Black American veterans by telling their stories. The memorial and museum honor these veterans for their courage, sacrifice, and perseverance, and thanks them for preserving American freedoms. African American veterans fought our country’s wars even when they had to battle for the right to do […]

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February 6 Town Hall to Help BVA Members with VA’s Sign-In Changes

BVA National Secretary Tracy Ferro will take the lead in discussing the VA Health and Benefits App, including logging onto the appropriate platform, in next week’s online session of the Association’s Town Hall and Educational Series. The meeting will begin at 3:00pm Eastern Time on Thursday, February 6, via Zoom. All BVA members are invited to attend—with attendance most strongly encouraged for leadership at national and regional group levels. After today, January 31, veterans will […]

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Devoted BVA Ambassadors Featured on February 1 “Visions of BVA” Episode

Listen beginning tomorrow as Visions of BVA host Steve Baskis sits down with guests Bill Graves, President of the New Jersey Regional Group; John O’Connell, Director of District 1; Dr. Jay McLeod, President of the Carolina Regional Group; and Irena Howard, Superstar Award Recipient at the 79th National Convention. Each of the guests is an Association member trained and experienced as a BVA Ambassador. Bill and John share their inspiring journey of teamwork and leadership […]

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Trump Administration Names Acting Secretary, Appoints Nine High-Level Officials

Pending the anticipated confirmation soon by the full Senate of Doug Collins as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Trump Administration this week appointed Todd Hunter as the Acting Secretary and filled several other permanent positions requiring Presidential appointment without Senate confirmation. Prior to being named Acting Secretary, Hunter had been functioning as Deputy Executive Director of the VA Office of Mission Support since April 23, 2023. In that capacity, he was the principal […]

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Updated Federal Benefits Guide Now Available

The popularly referenced 2025 Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers provides comprehensive information on benefits and services currently available through VA by law and regulation. The new version, released on January 14, was validated by VA as of October 10, 2024. Any additional updates on care and benefits throughout 2025 can be accessed at VA.gov. The handy reference guide contains a comprehensive listing of VA programs, including phone numbers and websites for […]

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VA Secretary Nominee Appears before Senate Committee, BVA Offers Support Letter

Former Representative Doug Collins (R-GA-9), also a Navy and Air Force Chaplain who served in the Iraq War after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and more recently a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, presented an oral and written opening statement to members of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs at a confirmation hearing earlier this week. Collins also fielded two rounds of questions from members of the Committee. He was recommended in Committee […]

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Golden Age Games 2025 Fast Approaching, Registration Opening January 28

Blind and low vision veterans 55 years of age: Please make yourselves available promptly at 10:00am Eastern Time on Tuesday, January 28, the moment for both the visually impaired and wheelchair divisions to register for this year’s Golden Age Games in Memphis, Tennessee, May 31-June 5. The ambulatory division will begin registering the following day, January 29. This year’s games will mean a little more to BVA than usual as members of the Tennessee Regional […]