The Women Veterans Group (WVG) will meet via Zoom next Thursday, February 22, at 6:00pm Eastern Time.  The theme of the meeting, centered around Black History Month, will feature guest speaker Barbara Lunon, a member of the Arkansas Army National Guard who will discuss Arkansas National Guard African American Pioneers Untold Stories. One lucky attendee will win a copy of the book.   The Blinded Veterans Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: […]

Attention BVA Members! Join us for next Thursday’s (February 22) first of several Town Halls as we gear up for this summer’s national convention in Jacksonville, Florida. The meeting, shared via the Zoom platform, will begin at 2:00pm Eastern Time.  What to expect from the first Town Hall:  Overview of the 79th National Convention: Get all the important details about dates, events, and registration. Ask Your Questions: Have your questions answered by BVA staff in the process of negotiating and […]

The BVA Auxiliary (BVAA) is comprised of family members, caregivers, friends, and supporters united in the just cause of ensuring our country keeps its promises to those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms — offering a community of lifelong friendships and encouragement when facing adversity.  “We invite you to attend our very first BVAA Town Hall on February 20 at 8:00pm Eastern Time via Zoom.” Said Robert Murphy, newly elected BVAA National President. The […]

Jane Flower, Youth Outreach Specialist for Guide Dogs for the Blind, will address the organization’s Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Immersion Program and independent travel with a guide dog at the monthly BVA Dog Handlers Group meeting next Tuesday, February 20, at 4:00pm Eastern Time.  All past, present, and prospective dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are invited to attend. The session also includes dog trivia and a few door prizes. Please share […]

VA has recently worked to better serve its older patient population by adopting accredited geriatric emergency departments in an increasing number of its medical centers. More than 60 of VA’s 111 emergency departments already earned Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) from the American College of Emergency Physicians. With more than 50 percent of all VA enrollees at 65 years of age or older, VA plans to expand the program to most of its medical centers […]

Guide dog Tavi sitting and looking at the camera. He is wearing his harness. Earlier this week many of you celebrated Valentine’s Day with heart-shaped treats and boxes of chocolate.  February 14 is all about love, but I wanted to send another important message.  More than half of humans in the U.S. receive chocolate for Valentine’s Day. While humans love chocolate, it can be easy to forget how toxic it can be for dogs like me. Even […]

BVA National President Paul Mimms will present the Association’s legislative priorities for the current fiscal year in a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs on Wednesday, March 6. The BVA Government Relations Team is currently putting together a full written document from which Paul will likely draw many of his oral remarks.   The annual hearing, convening at 10:00am Eastern Time in Room SD-G50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building adjacent to […]

David Barrett looking on as Chess Grandmaster Rashad Babaev makes his next move. David Barrett, Mid-Atlantic Regional Group, recently played against Chess International Grandmaster Rashad Babaev of Azerbaijan in a simultaneous chess exhibition on January 27 at an indoor shopping mall in Manassas, Virginia. To prepare for the match, David used a Chess board made for the blind and provided to him by his Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator, Courtney Whatley of the Washington, DC […]

Teresa Galgano (left) standing with her skibike next to her guide, Mark Struss. Both are wearing snow gear and identifying orange vests. BVA Director of Member Relations Teresa Galgano offers her assessment of a modern, nontraditional means of traversing a ski slope.  Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of skiing but felt intimidated by the traditional method? Or are you perhaps looking for a new challenge on the slopes? If so, then skibiking […]