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Home Loan Basics for the Summer Homebuying Season

Since 1944, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped generations of veterans and service members build stronger financial futures. As part of its mission to serve them, VA Loan Guaranty Service helps veterans buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for their personal occupancy. The VA home purchase loan offers several advantages for veterans: In most cases, no or limited down payment required by VA (lenders require a down payment in […]

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Other Convention Highlights

Joint Opening Ceremony BVA National Sergeant-at Arms Brian O’Connell got the convention off to a perfect start with a trumpet solo rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner after directing the BVA’s own Rob Sanchas and Sheldon McKinney in a presentation of the colors at the opening ceremony Monday morning prior to convention welcome videos by Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs and Executive Director Dr. Vernon Humphrey’s introduction of […]

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Never Feel Alone during Bouts with PTSD, Urges Professional Certified Coach 

The month of June brought Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and today, June 27, is PTSD Awareness Day. PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-altering event. The attention afforded to PTSD in June brings the issue to the forefront and increases public understanding about a mental health condition that affects more than 13 million people in the United States. In June 2024, the staff at the Connections Wellness Group in the Dallas […]

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New Book Describes Challenges of Low Vision, Breakthrough Technology Aids

Some 120,000 U.S. veterans are legally blind and approximately 1.1 million are low vision, estimates from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) reveal. All who meet the criteria for low vision are now eligible for both VA services and BVA membership. The remaining millions of Americans confronting low vision are not able to access VA rehabilitation programs and the technology that comes with these programs, or they may be low vision […]

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Secretary Collins to Address BVA National Convention

The Honorable Douglas A. Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, will address blind and low vision veterans and their families at the Association’s 80th National Convention Opening Ceremony on Monday, July 7, at 8:00am. The Opening Ceremony, scheduled for Cumberland K&L (Exhibition Level) at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, is open to all convention attendees and the general public. On February 5, Senate lawmakers voted to confirm Collins as the first ever post-9/11 veteran to serve as […]

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Coast Guard Auxiliary to Commemorate 86 Years

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary celebrates its 86th birthday this Monday, June 23. Strange and unnecessary as it may seem, the Coast Guard has both a Reserve as well as an Auxiliary component. While BVA and other Veterans Service Organizations have supportive Auxiliary organizations, the functions of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are different. Duties include those similar to or in support of the regular Coast Guard, but these functions also promote and support general maritime […]

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Tips for Summer Eye Safety

Today, June 20, marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in 2025 and the astronomical start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Despite the enjoyment that can come from warm summer weather—vacations, picnics, holiday parades, swimming, etc., our eyes are particularly vulnerable during this time of year, regardless of the extent of our remaining vision. The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, DC, offers a few practical tips to keep our […]

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Major Richard Star Act Remains High Priority on BVA Legislative Radar

Together with more than 50 other Military and Veterans Service Organizations, BVA continues to carefully monitor the progress of the Major Richard Star Act, proposed bipartisan legislation to provide combat-injured veteran retirees with their full benefits. S. 1032, introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), now has 76 bipartisan co-sponsors. The House companion version of the bill, introduced by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), now has 280 co-sponsors. At […]

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Online National Convention Registration Ends Today

Only a few short hours remain to register via the BVA website for the Association’s historic 80th National Convention in Dallas, Texas. After midnight Eastern Time tonight, BVA members, their families, and friends must register in the Pegasus Room at the Hyatt Regency Dallas beginning at 9:00am on Sunday, July 6. A higher onsite registration rate of $250 will apply. The convention is being held jointly with the annual gathering of the American Council of […]

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John O’Connell Garners Prestigious USA Hockey National Award

USA Hockey has recognized BVA Director of District 1 John O’Connell as the National Disabled Athlete of the Year. John was one of 12 individuals honored at USA Hockey’s President’s Awards Dinner on June 6 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center as part of its four-day annual meeting. Hockey has been a lifelong love for John, who began playing at age 7 and never stopped throughout his growing-up years in New York City.  John is […]