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VA Cemeteries Honor 9/11 Victims through Day of Service and Remembrance

Patriot Day events took place yesterday at more than 60 VA national cemeteries to honor the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001. The effort was consistent with Public Law 107-89, which encourages all Americans to do the same each year on that same date. Patriot Day is a national day of remembrance honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks of 2001, as well as the countless first responders and service […]

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Caregiving Basics and Benefits

Findings released in October 2024 from a valuation study conducted by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and sponsored by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Otsuka), revealed that if family caregiving was a business entity, it would be the largest revenue-generating company in the world, exceeding the revenue of Apple, Amazon, and Walmart. Estimates suggest that there are 44.58 million caregivers in the United States performing the equivalent of an estimated $873.5 billion worth of labor […]

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Carve Out a Few Minutes for September’s “Visions of BVA”

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

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Happy Birthday, United States Air Force

World War II demonstrated how valuable air power was and the need to change the organization of the nation’s military forces. This resulted in the creation of a single Department of Defense with strong Joint Chiefs of Staff with Army, Navy, and Air Force chiefs. The National Security Act, signed by President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1947, established this new defense organization and the United States Air Force as an independent service, equal […]

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Stay Socially Connected to Boost Mood and Strengthen Body

BVA members and their families and friends who browse BVA Happenings are likely aware of the scores of entries that have been included regarding VA’s Whole Health initiative 2-3 weeks per month. A vital component of Whole Health is remaining socially connected, even when unique challenges related to sight loss can make sharing a hobby, catching up with a friend, or trying something new a little less comfortable at first. Perhaps even more since the […]

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AER Requests Support for Continuation of Braille Literacy Programs

The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), an organization with which BVA has partnered and worked for decades in common advocacy efforts, is currently seeking support from the blind and visually impaired community in its effort to reverse the non-continuation of Braille Training Grants from the Department of Education. BVA Legislative Director Lea Rowe has requested that BVA Happenings publish the following “Urgent AER Advocacy Alert” from Lee Sonnenberg, […]

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Class for New Ambassadors Re-Launches Next Week

Building on its foundation as a beacon of hope and advocacy for more than 80 years, BVA will resume its efforts to empower the Association’s membership to make a difference in their communities by launching a new virtual Ambassador training class next Tuesday, September 16. Program participants will meet via Zoom on the first three Tuesdays of each month until February 24, 2026, with classes scheduled from 2:00-3:30pm Eastern Time. BVA Ambassadors and Requisite Training […]

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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 […]