red, white, and blue star with initials B V A

In the early morning of March 28, 1945, a hundred recently returning World War II service members and veterans gathered for a much-publicized meeting at Avon Old Farms Army Convalescent Hospital. The group, all young men at the time, were recovering from combat injuries, the most notable of which was their loss of sight.

Time spent at the Connecticut facility also consisted of a program of instruction and practical training through which they learned how to adjust and cope with the loss utilizing the resources available in 1945.

The purpose of the scheduled meeting was to formalize means by which those present could help and serve one another in the future. Although the focus of the discussion that day was largely on themselves, they recognized that there would be others returning from battle later with similar wounds. Their hope was to include those courageous men and women as well.

The result was the founding and organization of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). Resolutions in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate 12 years ago recognized BVA’s humble beginnings and called upon all Americans to remember blinded veterans in future years on March 28, from that time forward to be known as Blinded Veterans Day. President Barack Obama signed the resolution on April 7, 2010.

Now, 77 years to the very day since the Old Farms gathering, BVA looks back at a long history of accomplishments that include legislative advocacy on behalf of both combat and noncombat blinded veterans, successful claims assistance and volunteer programs, a true fraternity that spans generations, and a model for a prosperous partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs in serving veterans and their families.

In keeping with the Association’s purpose as a service organization, BVA is honoring Blinded Veterans Day through a partnership established this month with the American Red Cross. The SleevesUp (CLICK HERE) initiative promotes the donating of blood throughout 2022, a year in which the nation’s supply has become dangerously low due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization invites its members and their families, its social media followers, and other supporters and stakeholders to visit (CLICK HERE) to learn more about this partnership. Additional information will be forthcoming about opportunities to donate blood at drives that BVA promotes and sponsors at local levels throughout the country from now until December 31.

On this historic March 28, 2022, BVA recognizes the wonderful generosity of Americans who have so freely given over a span of 77 years, helping our veterans to create fulfilling and productive lives for themselves. Since BVA receives no funding from the government or any other public entity, such help has been critical to the organization’s long survival and success. Even the most modest of contributions make a difference and mean so much to blinded veterans and their families. To continue supporting BVA and its programs for veterans who have sacrificed so much, (CLICK HERE).