The Million Veteran Program (MVP) of VA is now one million veterans strong, marking a historic milestone in a journey that took several years. The achievement will have a profound impact on veteran health care in the future as VA conducts lifesaving, groundbreaking research based on data already collected from enrollees.  BVA National Headquarters thanks members of the BVA community who were open to learning more about MVP and eventually joining the program using one […]

All past, present, and future dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are encouraged to join this Tuesday’s (November 21) session via Zoom at 4:00pm Eastern Time. The session’s proposed agenda includes a unique twist—a Thanksgiving discussion on homemade dog treats! The meeting is open to all veterans with sight loss who are interested in topics and issues associated with guide dogs.  Attendance at previous meetings is not required to join and participate. […]

Members of the Atlanta Chapter of the BVA Georgia Regional Group proactively serve others rather than wait for others to help them, continually extending themselves the past few months to remain active in their urban community.  Back on June 24, the Chapter completed its spring sock drive for the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency (ACSS), which serves homeless veterans and those at risk for homelessness as one of its most important functions. Bravid Harris, the […]

BVA National Headquarters represented blind and low vision veterans throughout the country with the presentation of an organizational wreath at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. The effort complemented similar Veterans Day activities of blinded veterans and their families in their communities and regional groups.  With representatives of approximately 40 other VSOs looking on and all eventually presenting a similar wreath, the symbolic gesture paying tribute to all veterans capped […]

By Chaplain Kennith Harvey Happy Thanksgiving to Blinded Veterans Association leaders, members, families, and the patriots who have supported and befriended this unique body of our nation’s veterans.  Ask and you shall receive the blessings of God. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday and the accompanying festivities, we are reminded that this is a time of giving and that the “thanks” is accompanied and surrounded by giving. Our Father simply wants active military, veterans, and […]

A Veterans Day Message from BVA Executive Director Donald D. Overton, Jr.  Veterans Day is a special day for all of us who have served our country on the battlefield. It is special to us also because of our affiliation with the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA).   No matter where I am each year on this day, I always contemplate the service and the sobering sacrifices of the veterans I have known personally. Last year, I […]

BVA National Headquarters joins the Illinois Regional Group in sending congratulations and best wishes to Navy veteran Eugene J. Baltes of River Forest, Illinois, on still another milestone birthday last Sunday. The regional group expresses gratitude for his service, longevity, and desire to affiliate with BVA. Gene was born on October 29, 1914, making this recent birthday his 109th. Although not surprising, it is still noteworthy that Gene is the oldest BVA member not only […]

BVA’s regional group chaplains, either elected or appointed, are invited to attend an hour-long meeting via Zoom next Thursday, November 9, at 11:00am Eastern Time under the direction of National Chaplain Kennith Harvey and National President Paul Mimms. Attendees of the meeting will consider means for supporting and maintaining the development of religion as a visible component of the work of BVA in support of all religious beliefs and denominations. Read more. Please use the […]

All the Light We Cannot See, an American drama limited series developed for Netflix, was released yesterday. The four part-series, based on Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize winning, best-seller novel that carries the same name, follows the stories of two teenagers—a blind French girl named Marie-Laure and a German soldier named Werner—whose paths cross in enemy-occupied France during World War II.  The story behind All the Light We Cannot See has the blind Marie-Laure Leblanc (actress […]