The BVA National Board of Directors, National Headquarters, and Association members throughout the country were saddened to learn of the passing of Elizabeth “Liz” Holmes of Midland, Georgia, this past Tuesday, August 12. A dedicated BVA member and leader in both the Georgia Regional Group and nationally, Liz was foremost a friend to all—with perhaps the highest priority reserved for her fellow blinded veterans! She was a shining light wherever she saw fit to offer […]

Agent Orange Awareness Day, recognized annually on August 10, honors the bravery and sacrifices of those who have been affected by the chemical. The day falls on Sunday this year. It is also an opportunity to educate the public about the ongoing, diverse health challenges faced by these individuals and to advocate for better support and recognition. VA provides compensation for veterans exposed to Agent Orange. These benefits are crucial for supporting the health and […]

Through September 30, 2025, VA and dozens of partnering organizations are hosting dedicated outreach surge events in real time within every VA health care system in the United States. The objective is to move more than 20,000 veterans into permanent housing. During these events, veterans are approached wherever they are—in encampments, on the streets, in the woods, under bridges—to offer them immediate enrollment in using programs, health care, behavioral health services, and VA benefits. Dedicated […]

During the past three years, BVA Happenings has recognized the birthdays of all the branches of the military and, where appropriate, even some of their auxiliary organizations. On Sunday, the recognition goes to the cabinet-level department that oversees each of these branches. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) was established on August 10, 1949. Although the federal government has overseen the U.S. Armed Forces since our nation’s inception, the Department of Defense name and centralized […]

Attention all BVA members and dog lovers alike! We have some exciting news that’s sure to bring a smile to your face and a wag to your tail. Donald, one of our very own Ambassadogs featured in a previous month, has made it to the top five finalists in the Service Dog category for the American Humane Society Hero Dog Award! Now, we all know that every one of our Ambassadogs is a hero in […]

Please make 3:00pm Eastern Time next Wednesday, August 13, a priority on your calendar for the next session of BVA’s VetTech and Educational Series via Zoom. The session will feature eSight by Gentex Corporation, a pioneer and leader in wearable assistive technology for vision enhancement. The “eSight Go,” an advanced device for low vision, will be the focus of the presentation and discussion. Join the meeting here or via the link provided in the BVA […]

Practical instruction on navigating alone to, from, and during a national convention as a totally blind person, coupled with inspirational observations and useful guidance unique to host Steve Baskis, highlights the recently released August episode of “Visions of BVA,” the Association’s monthly podcast. Unlike most of his previous episodes, Steve runs solo in this one, offering a practical, experience-based walkthrough of how he travels independently to the Blinded Veterans Association’s national conventions. Drawing on nearly […]

For the second year in a row, the U.S. Army has designated August as Antiterrorism Awareness Month. The designation serves as a vital reminder of the ongoing threats faced by the U.S. Military and the nation in general. According to Jeffrey Varner, Army Materiel Command (AMC) Protection Branch Chief, Antiterroism Month emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to protect military personnel, assets, and missions. It serves, he says, as a dedicated time to raise awareness […]

While blind and low vision veterans from the United States Coast Guard may be fewer in number within the BVA membership than Army, Navy, and Marine veterans, their sacrifice and dedication to defending the nation since 1790 can never be overlooked, especially on National Coast Guard Day, celebrated this Monday. The August 4 observance is more an internal one within the maritime service but still deserves equal reverence and recognition from the veteran community and […]

Next Thursday, August 7, is National Purple Heart Day, also known as Purple Heart Recognition Day and Purple Heart Appreciation Day. Although the observance is a recent one stemming from efforts of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in 2014, the Purple Heart is one of the oldest military decorations. George Washington established the precursor to the Purple Heart, known as the Badge of Military Merit, dating back to 1782. This award was designed […]