At center, Southeast Louisiana Health Care System Director Fernando Rivera with Gary Schoelerman, accompanied by Bogalusa Staff, Joe Burns, and guide dog Kendrick. Photo courtesy of Gary Schoelerman. The changing of the seasons has ignited the already high energy level of members of the Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group when it comes to their visibility and demonstrable generosity in local communities of both of the states they cover. They continue their quest to place Bronze Braille American […]

The BVA Women Veterans Group (WVG) will meet via Zoom next Thursday, April 25, at 6:00pm Eastern Time. The meeting will feature BVA National President Paul Mimms and National Executive Director/National Legislative Director Donald Overton. The focus will be legislative advocacy as it relates to issues that affect women veterans in the areas of benefits, services, equality, and recognition.  The Blinded Veterans Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: BVA Women Veterans […]

Since 2020, the Parkinson’s Foundation and VA have partnered to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for veterans with Parkinson’s Diseases and their loved ones. VA’s concern for veterans began much earlier, however. In 2001, Parkinson’s Disease Research Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs) were established to deliver state-of-the-art clinical care, pioneering research, and educational programs to an expansive geographic region staffed by internationally recognized movement disorder specialists. PADRECCs are housed as Centers of […]

VA has announced the launching on May 31 of the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) Program that will help tens of thousands of veterans currently experiencing severe financial hardship avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. The program is a last-resort tool in VA’s comprehensive suite of home retention options for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses with VA-guaranteed home loans who are unable to meet their mortgage obligations.  Under VASP, VA will […]

Next Tuesday, April 23, marks the 116th birthday of the United States Army Reserve, recognizing the dedicated service of the nation’s 200,000 Army Reserve Soldiers and Civilians. The theme this year is “Today’s Army Reserve: Building Critical Skills for the Nation.” Today, the Army Reserve offers more than 120 different career fields. Soldiers can build on their civilian profession in the Reserve or try a new career that fulfills a separate purpose. On April 23, […]

March 21 photo of BVA Executive Committee and Judge Advocate Stephen Butler in Washington office of Senator Jerry Moran. Left to right, National President Paul Mimms with guide dog Shadow, Vice President Wade Davis, Stephen Butler, National Treasurer Joe Bogart, and National Secretary Tracy Ferro. One month ago, the BVA Executive Committee traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with several members and staff of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs. They met personally […]

Join in the enjoyment of BVA’s VetTech team this Wednesday, April 17, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, for a Weekly Wednesday Webinar that offers something new and fresh outside the norm of VetTech. Participants and the team will welcome Patricia Cox, President of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International. Patricia will lead a discussion and demonstrate how to conduct virtual game nights with blind and low vision participants through virtual conferencing platforms. On Thursday, […]

All past, present, and prospective dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are invited to attend this Tuesday’s virtual meeting of the group, scheduled for 4:00pm Eastern Time. Included among the invitees are those who have never attended a dog handler meeting in the past and those who do not currently have a guide dog but who are interested in the issues concerning them. Please encourage your fellow veterans to attend, sharing the […]

Blind and low vision veterans and their families may not be aware of the Center for Minority Veterans (CMV), established by Public Law 103-446, in 1994. Title 38, United States Code (USC), Section 317 reflects the current responsibilities of the CMV, which seeks to champion minority veterans by ensuring awareness of, and equitable access to, the benefits and service they have earned through their service. The ultimate goal of the Center is to enhance the […]

The Travis Manion Foundation is once again partnering with VA’s National Cemetery Administration in mobilizing volunteers of all ages from across the country to pay respect to fallen heroes on and around Memorial Day. Known as The Honor Project, the associated events are being expanded this year to 20 national cemeteries in which volunteers will place hand-crafted commemorative tokens at the gravesites of those who have served while also reflecting on their service and sacrifice. […]