Juneteenth National Independence Day, to be celebrated in 2024 next Wednesday, June 19, became the newest federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. The holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. A combination of the words June and nineteenth, Juneteeth recalls the events of a day more than two months after the end of the Civil War and more than two years after Abraham […]

Father’s Day is a time to celebrate all dads. Those who have served our country in uniform deserve special appreciation this coming Sunday for the unique challenges they faced while serving and for the Father’s Days they may have missed with their children growing up. Unbeknownst to many of us in 2025, the history of Father’s Day involves a dad who was also a veteran. The Father’s Day holiday was first introduced in 1910 in […]

Perhaps it is but a strange coincidence that the calendar date of the founding of America’s first military forces and the founding of the most powerful symbol of the freedoms the nation’s citizenry enjoy are one and the same. Two years to the day after the birth of the Army, the Continental Congress adopted the following resolution using a report of a special committee that had been assigned to suggest a flag’s design: “That the […]

Hooah! Tomorrow, June 14, is most assuredly a special day for BVA members who have served in the nation’s oldest military branch. They, with millions of other Americans across the nation, will contemplate the once improbable milestone of 250 years since the United States Army’s founding on June 14, 1775, a full year before independence from the British was declared. Unlike other Army birthdays, this celebration will not be limited to those who have worn […]

BVA Administrative Coordinator Michaun Harrison attended last week’s Golden Age Games. Michaun offers some thoughts about the Games and the benefits to veterans with sight loss. Adaptive sports play a critical role in enhancing the lives of blind and visually impaired veterans by providing opportunities for physical activity, competition, and community engagement. These activities help veterans regain confidence, independence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Through structured programs like the National Disabled Veterans Golden Age […]

BVA Director of Outreach Teresa Galgano has compiled a few relevant points about air travel that came to her attention as she spoke to Association members planning to fly in and out of Dallas next month. As blind and low vision veterans prepare to travel to the upcoming National Convention, it is important to know that a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) can serve as a valid form of ID at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) […]

VA understands that the caregiver community is vital to the recovery and care of many veterans. Individual caregivers often need the support that is provided by the VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) in the form of clinical, educational, and wraparound services (a holistic and client-centered approach to providing support that addresses the comprehensive needs of individuals and families) to individuals and who care for veterans enrolled in VA health care.  The Program of General Caregiver […]

Last week’s BVA Happenings recounted the D-Day events of June 6, 1944, announcing a special ceremony via livestream at 11:00am Eastern Time this morning from the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, known as The National D-Day Museum during its first four years of operation from 2000-04, changed its name and broadened its scope to now tell the story of the American experience in “the war that […]

BVA members can now receive En-Vision America’s ScripTalk Talking Prescription Labels on their Guide Dog medications from CHEWY.   “I’m happy to answer any questions you may have … I’m hoping you’ll join us in spreading the word with your wonderful members so that they know this option is available,” said En-Vision Director of Marketing Jenna Reed.  According to Jenna, BVA members interested in receiving this free service can call En-Vision America at 1-800-890-1180. “We will work […]

Last week’s BVA Happenings made mention of the Association’s participation, by invitation to the National Headquarters, in the annual Memorial Day National Observance at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). National President Paul Mimms and National Executive Director Dr. Vernon Humphrey traveled to the Nation’s Capital to participate in the Veterans Service Organization wreath laying following the ceremony, which also featured BVA’s participation in a Parade of Flags.  Not receiving enough attention in last week’s blurb was […]