BVA is pleased to join other Veterans Service Organizations in the celebration of Black History Month throughout February. In doing so, the Association recognizes the service of African Americans who have served in every conflict since the American Revolution. 

More particularly, we acknowledge and pay tribute to our African American members of BVA who have bravely fought in defense of our freedoms and are now challenged by sight loss. Many of them continue to serve the nation by consecrating their time and resources to BVA members in their respective regional groups.

This year’s Black History Month theme is African Americans and the Arts. The founder of this annual celebration, Carter G. Woodson, began his efforts in 1925, but the recognition did not take off until 1976 when President Gerald R. Ford expanded it from a week to a month. Ford urged Americans during the nation’s bicentennial year to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

This year, Denis McDonough, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), detailed a few of these achievements in a video message delivered and uploaded to YouTube earlier this week. To view the video, click here.