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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 […]

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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 […]