During this Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Month (June), Dr. Debra Atkisson, Senior Vice President of Clinical Services at Connections Wellness Group, discusses how trauma has no boundaries. She also names several treatment offerings available to those affected by trauma. Trauma knows no boundaries, but you’re not alone in your fight for healing By Dr. Debra Atkisson June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase public understanding about a mental health condition […]

BVA is one of a handful (roughly a hundred) of organizations that have been granted a “federal” or “Congressional” charter. This concept is somewhat puzzling to the public and sometimes even mystifies government officials. BVA Executive Director Don Overton has compiled a few clarifications to common misconceptions about Congressional charters. Who came up with the idea of a “federal charter?” The federal charter as it exists in the United States appears to be a direct […]

BVA National Headquarters extends best wishes to all for an enjoyable Independence Day. Military.com reports that if there is a group of people who know how to do patriotic holidays with flair and style, it is military and veteran families. The site has a top ten list of what is most fitting for service members and veterans to do on Independence Day. To access the list and read more about the importance of Independence Day, […]

For veterans seeking a final resting place that reflects their deep connection to the ocean, the U.S. Navy offers the distinguished service of Burial at Sea. This ceremonial tradition allows eligible veterans, active-duty members, and certain family members to be committed to the sea with full military honors.  The process begins with a request from the veteran’s family, who must provide essential documents, including a copy of the death certificate, discharge papers, and a completed […]

The pre-convention Virtual Rules and Credentials Town Hall via Zoom will be held next Thursday, June 27, at 2:00pm Eastern Time. The meeting will constitute the final business Town Hall session before the in-person convention meetings in Jacksonville.  Although all BVA members are invited to attend next week’s Town Hall, moderators will be present to help ensure that only the designated participants who represent seated regional groups will be able to unmute their microphones. For […]

Next Wednesday, June 12, has been designated Women Veterans Recognition Day in several areas of the United States. The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, signed into law by President Truman on June 12, 1948. The legislation enabled women to serve in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and the recently formed Air Force. Except for nurses, women had previously served only in times of war.  Although the […]

Perhaps it is but a coincidence that the date of the founding of our first military forces and the founding of the most powerful symbol of the freedoms of the United States of America are one and the same.  The U.S. Army was established on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year. Many believed at the time that the creation of the force would result in efforts […]

Join the Blinded Veterans Association’s VetTech Team this Wednesday, June 5, at 2:00pm Eastern Time as we welcome back Joe Alfonso and Kürşat Ceylan of WeWALK to the Weekly Wednesday Webinar.  WeWALK is a smart cane developed to improve the mobility of visually impaired people, allowing them full and equal participation in everyday life. The smart cane works in tandem with the app to help them navigate the world around them with fully accessible turn-by-turn […]

VA announced this past week two significant trends in the Department’s services to our nation’s veterans, first in the area of trust and second with respect to changes in wait times for new patients. Trust among veterans has reached an all-time high of 80.4 percent, up from 55 percent when the survey began in 2016. The figures are based on a survey of 38,293 veterans who used a wide range of VA services between January […]