VA and the Veterans Day National Committee, the latter of which BVA is a longstanding member, are now accepting entries for the 2025 Veterans Day Poster Contest. The competition, conducted annually and open to all, is an opportunity for seasoned or budding artists to use their creative talents to honor veterans. Art should reflect this year’s theme, “Service to our Nation.” All submissions are due by 11:59pm Eastern Time on May 2, 2025. To ensure […]

Rosie the Riveter Day, approved for observance by the United States Senate in 2017, honors the women who became the driving force behind the wartime production lines in factories and shipyards during World War II. Now observed on March 21, the day recognizes their contributions to the war effort and the impact they had on promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Behind the Senate action was a two-fold desire to encourage Americans to recognize and honor […]

For our loyal, early-bird BVA Happenings readers, there may yet be time remaining today to purchase your heavily discounted pie, savory or sweet, for as little as $3.14. Yes, while January 23 was National Pie Day, today is the now beloved Pi Day “a la 3.14” and the Greek symbol π! Unbeknownst to many still, Pi Day without the “e” at the end is indeed a national holiday owing to a U.S. House of Representatives […]

Recent issues of BVA Happenings have announced the rejuvenation of the BVA Auxiliary (BVAA) annual scholarship program benefitting spouses and generational children (child, grandchild, great-grandchild) of current or deceased BVA members. Applications are available via the dropdown menu under “Resources” on the Auxiliary page at BVA.org. The program is named after Renee Feldman, a co-founder of the BVA Auxiliary and a World War II veteran herself. Effective for the 2025-26 school year, two $2,000 Feldman […]

Blind and low vision veterans traveling or living in a foreign country and who have a service-connected condition that requires health care services may be covered for care by VA through the Foreign Medical Program (FMP). Veterans themselves or the provider abroad are reimbursed for their service-connected treatment if they meet at least one of three eligibility requirements. Veterans do not have to be enrolled in VA health care to be eligible for FMP. Coverage […]

National Communications Strategist and Podcast Host Steve Baskis announced this week that BVA’s podcast series Visions of BVA and relevant playlists can now be accessed via the organization’s YouTube Channel, in addition to their continued availability on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Launched one year ago, Visions of BVA releases a new episode on the 1st and 15th days of each month. Dive deep into the Association’s inspiring stories, accounts of resilience, and the achievements of […]

BVA members, perhaps most especially those blessed to have a guide dog in their life, would probably agree that the heroes of today include a group that comes with four legs. National K9 Veterans Day, March 13, is a day set aside to honor and commemorate the sacrifices, dedication, and invaluable service of American K9 units since World War II.  From battlefields to search and rescue operations, assistance to law enforcement, and service as therapy […]

Just a few months after Daylight Saving Time ended in November, the second Sunday in March has arrived and it’s time to spring forward at 2:00am on March 9, less than two days from now. Despite recent debate and proposed legislation over ending Daylight Saving Time permanently or keeping it year-round, residents of every state in the union except Arizona and Hawaii will set their clocks ahead one hour. While not conclusive, health studies have pointed […]

Three smaller Fredericksburg, Virginia area Outpatient Clinics have now been replaced by a new 470,000 square-foot VA Health Care Center. Officials of the grand opening celebration, held earlier today, had invited members of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Group to attend. Many blind and low vision veterans who have previously been served by the clinics or the main medical center in Richmond were expected to attend. The new facility will provide veterans of the Fredericksburg and Northern […]

BVA National Communications Strategist and Podcast Host Steve Baskis will release his semi-monthly podcast tomorrow, March 1, at 12:01am. In the episode, Steve sits with Debra Erickson, Executive Chef and Founder of The Blind Kitchen, an innovative online resource that empowers people with sight loss to cook safely and confidently. Debra shares her inspiring journey as the only blind student in her culinary school, the challenges she faced, and how she adapted to the fast-paced […]