BVA Director of District 1 John O’Connell appeared by invitation at the Winding River Skating Center in his now hometown of Toms River, New Jersey, on September 13. The occasion was a Saturday launch of the Toms River Hockey Club’s 50th anniversary season. Prior to the drop of the puck, players welcomed both John and Alex DePalma, the latter of whom co-founded the Brick Starts Challenger Organization in 2009 to teach skating and hockey to […]

When Navy veteran and current BVA Judge Advocate Stephen Butler lost his vision, his world went dark in more ways than one. Then a diagnosis of advanced diabetes took away the feeling in his hands and feet, leaving him without spatial awareness, and without the tactile feedback needed to navigate the world or play the musical instruments he once loved. “I went from being a warrior, capable of completing any mission, to holding onto someone’s […]

Officials at Meta (formerly Facebook) have sent a written expression of thanks to BVA Executive Director Dr. Vernon Humphrey and Legislative Director Lea Rowe for attending and contributing to a DC Connect Happy Hour Reception on September 18 in the Nation’s Capital. Last week’s BVA Happenings included a brief recap of the worldwide virtual event that originated in Menlo Park, California, and specifically BVA’s involvement. During the DC Happy Hour, Vern took the microphone to […]

In the newest episode of Visions of BVA, the Association’s monthly podcast, program host Steve Baskis and guests Tina Lemus and Celiann Gonzalez reflect on a Team River Runner (TRR) experience near Grand Junction, Colorado, in mid-August. Paddling with Purpose: Blind Veterans and Team River Runner went live on September 1. Steve, Tina, and Celiann (TRR staff and a veteran herself) come together to share personal stories of overcoming fear, building trust, and rediscovering confidence […]

BVA Happenings readers who went first to the Ambassadog Scoop Series today (see below) are already aware that guide dog Hannah’s “Mom” is Jill Hinton Wolfe of Walker, Michigan. In addition to being a super mom to a dog with whom she shares the joys of the great outdoors, Jill is a talented, prolific, published writer with profound perspectives and insights into the adversities and possibilities of post-military life. Mission, Tribe & Grace: How Veterans […]

Another year of the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic is now history, having concluded on September 12 after providing 138 visually impaired participants and dozens more with varying disabilities an unforgettable week. “The Clinic is not just about golf but emphasizes the Whole Health concept,” said Michaun Harrison, whose 2025 participation was the seventh.  “We enjoy not only adaptive golf but bowling, water aerobics, corn hole, tai chi, cycling, rock climbing, yoga, challenge golf putting, […]

BVA acknowledges with solemnity National POW/MIA Recognition Day today, September 19. The special recognition was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent President of the United States has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day, honoring service members who are either in captivity or unaccounted for. In 1990, Congress designated the POW/MIA flag as “the symbol of our Nation’s […]

This week, BVA Executive Director Dr. Vernon Humphrey and Legislative Director Lea Rowe participated in this year’s Meta (formerly Facebook) Connect event by virtue of the Association’s interest in Ray-Ban Meta Glasses that support blind and low vision veterans. BVA is developing a guide to teach veterans how to use AI Glasses to help with daily living and to navigate the world with greater autonomy, confidence, and connection, complementing other skills learned at Department of […]

As tropical storm/hurricane season begins, VA is concerned that veterans prepare themselves to accomplish whatever is necessary to deal with such a storm. Facing the onset of a natural disaster as weather reports are released can bring some of the most stressful moments imaginable. With adequate preparation in the areas of evacuation plans, emergency supply kits that include prescription medications, and plans for pets can alleviate that stress in the short run. Other long-range concerns […]

Patriot Day events took place yesterday at more than 60 VA national cemeteries to honor the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001. The effort was consistent with Public Law 107-89, which encourages all Americans to do the same each year on that same date. Patriot Day is a national day of remembrance honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks of 2001, as well as the countless first responders and service […]