This Wednesday, April 23, marks the 117th birthday of the United States Army Reserve with its official origins dating back to 1908. In an increasingly complex global environment, today’s Army Reserve is a critical component in supporting and sustaining the Army as it responds to acute threats from across the globe. There are Army Reserve communities located in every state in the Union, plus the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the […]

With the arrival of spring and the enjoyment of longer days, warmer weather, and the budding of leaves and flowers, it seems fitting to reflect on the many religious, spiritual, and cultural holidays that are part of this season—and, albeit in different ways, their importance to BVA members and their families. Understanding the traditions and values that others consider sacred is vital to tranquility and harmony in all organizations and societies, and in all settings […]

For the third year running, BVA hosted a meeting of the VIPs (Visually Impaired Participants) at the 39th annual VA National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) in Snowmass Village, Colorado, March 31-April 5. The purpose of the meeting, originally organized in 2023 by Illinois Regional Group President Anthony Woodson and supported by VA Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist Barbara Fultz, was to address mobility issues at the event, promote BVA, and provide a forum in […]

Following several delays and postponements, due largely to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced earlier this week that full implementation of the 2005 REAL ID Act would begin on May 7 at TSA checkpoints nationwide as an additional security and safety measure. BVA members planning to fly to Dallas, Texas, for the Association’s 80th National Convention should be aware that all airline passengers 18 years and older must present REAL ID-compliant identification […]

The VA Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Office of Financial Management (OFM) collaborates and serves as a partner with VBA Lines of Business to identify fraud, waste, and abuse within programs and to develop and implement solutions. Of greatest concern to OFM are scam tactics targeting veterans. The tactics include those that create fake identities impersonating government officials, phishing attacks (fake emails, text messages, post cards), payment requests via nontraditional means, and building trust through social […]

With its now 80-year history, it is only natural to imagine that BVA would have forged ongoing relationships with scores of national organizations throughout those years. Such has certainly been the case. Our National Headquarters receives regular newsletters, magazines, and other informative media from both sister Veterans Service Organizations and from organizations of and for the blind. One such publication, Your Eyes Today, is received monthly from the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. […]

The end of the upcoming weekend will mark another in a long series of birthdays for the Air Force Reserve and all who have contributed to its success throughout the journey. The Reserve, which has vowed throughout its history to be mission ready and fully deployable within 72 hours, celebrates its 77th birthday on Monday (April 14). Reservists in every branch of the military are an important part of the Department of Defense’s strategy for […]

The BVA Auxiliary (BVAA) Scholarship Committee has reinstated the Renee Feldman Scholarship Program. BVAA awards three scholarships per academic year, two for $2,000 and one for $1,500 made in two installments, fall and spring. Applicants must be a spouse or a generational child (child, grandchild, great-grandchild) of a blinded veteran who is or has been a BVA member. Renee Feldman, for whom the program is named, was herself a World War II U.S. Army veteran, […]

Consider participating in “Carrying The Load” by walking a small piece of a 20,000-mile cross-country relay trek honoring the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military and interred in VA National Cemeteries. Along one of five routes, marches will carry signs, banners, and flags honoring a veteran, service member, or first responder. The Carry the Load march, coordinated through a partnership with VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and the Travis […]