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Elizabeth Holmes: Fun-Loving and Warm, Joyous and Passionate about Things That Truly Matter

A final farewell to Elizabeth Holmes, BVA Past National Secretary, was held on August 19 in Columbus, Georgia.  Although many of us met her through BVA, the relationships she had with BVA members encompassed more than that. Her vibrant personality and passion for life were infectious, confirmed by the many friends and family who spontaneously gave heartfelt and often humorous stories about her. The room was filled with warm memories of Liz. She lived a […]

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True Friend, Confidante, and Example: Tracy Ferro Remembers Paul Mimms

On September 6, 2025, in Gladstone, Missouri, a gathering of family, friends, and brothers in arms came together to celebrate the life and memory of BVA Past President Paul Lawrence Mimms. During the heartfelt ceremony and service, family and several close friends told stories and reflected on all Paul was and always will be to them. The memories were touching and left many in tears and occasional bits of laughter. For me, Paul was a […]

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VA Earns Top Scores in Latest CMS Hospital Ratings Report

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has deemed more than three-fourths of all Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) to be worthy of four or five-star ratings as part of the 2025 hospital quality ratings, VA announced last week. More than 90 percent of the rated VAMCs maintained or improved their 2024-star rating. No VAMC received a one-star rating. The ratings are based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient […]

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A Unique BVA Look Back: Events and Emotions of September 11, 2001

Patriot Day, known officially as National Day of Service and Remembrance, will be observed next Thursday, September 11, 2025, just as it has been every year since 2001 in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks on September 11 of that year. Although not a federal holiday, Patriot Day is observed with ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services nationwide. Because Patriot Day has been added to the Flag Holidays […]

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9/10 VetTech: Case for Vision, Easy Hands-free Magnification for iPhone and iPad

Join next Wednesday’s (September 10) session of the VetTech and Educational Series as regular participants and newcomers welcome Case for Vision. The 3:00pm Eastern Time meeting via Zoom will examine assistive technologies for people with vision loss that can be used with devices they already use. Case For Vision creates compact, intuitive ways to read, watch television, and perform a host of other tasks and activities through devices with potential that may be largely untapped. […]

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Veterans Talk River Running Adventures in September’s “Visions of BVA”

Tina Lemus and Celiann Gonzalez join fellow veteran and host Steve Baskis to reflect on their recent Team River Runner (TRR) experience near Grand Junction, Colorado, in the newest episode of Visions of BVA, the Association’s monthly podcast. Paddling with Purpose: Blind Veterans and Team River Runner went live on September 1. Steve, Tina, and Celiann (TRR staff and a veteran herself) together share personal stories of overcoming fear, building trust, and rediscovering confidence through […]

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Bargaining-Unit VA Employees Drastically Reduced, Funds Redirected to Veterans

Some $45 million in taxpayer funds are being redirected from subsidies long provided to federal unions, an August 22 press advisory reported. The move stems from an August 6 VA announcement that the number of bargaining unit VA employees would be reduced from 375,000 to just 7,000. The funds, VA says, will return to veterans and their families, caregivers, and the other survivors served by the Department. Egregious examples have allegedly existed of taxpayer-funded union […]

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White Cane Day Outreach Materials Available via BVA National Headquarters

In 1964, the U.S. Congress approved a resolution authorizing the President of the United States to issue annually a proclamation designating October 15 as “National White Cane Safety Day.” President Lyndon B. Johnson was the signer of the resolution and the first U.S. President to issue a proclamation. Although President Barack Obama renamed the day “Blind Americans Equality Day” in his 2011 proclamation and subsequent proclamations, some still prefer and use the “White Cane Safety […]

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Labor Day’s Ties to Service Members and Veterans  

To many and perhaps most Americans, Labor Day weekend means picnics, beaches, and the unofficial end of summer. Although the day is not usually a holiday for service members throughout the world, several factors connect Labor Day to those on active duty and to our nation’s veterans who have served in the past. For example, throughout history, few have labored more or under more adverse conditions than those fighting to defend freedom. In that sense, […]

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Regional Library in Louisiana Formally Accepts Braille Flag and Plaque

More than a dozen BVA members, friends, members of the Affiliated Blind of Louisiana, the American Council of the Blind, and the American Legion were on hand as the Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group, Inc. continued its relentless Braille Flag campaign, presenting most recently a Bronze Braille American Flag to the Lafayette, Louisiana South Regional Library this past Monday, August 25. The flag was presented in honor of Catherine Calhoun Edgar, the mother of devoted Blind Rehabilitation […]