January 21, 2025, will forever be known as an official Snow Day in Southern Mississippi after a record-breaking winter storm dumped seven inches of snow along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida. The icy road conditions and snow accumulation resulted in a three-day shutdown of the VA Gulf Coast Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Several BVA members rode out the “once-in-blue-moon storm” with nurses and staff who were identified as part of […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]