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 […]

Longtime Southern California Regional Group (SCRG) officer Ken Asam has been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation at the annual Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) barbecue of Greater Los Angeles. The July 24 event honored Ken following his service as the SCRG president and paid tribute to his penchant for turning adversity into new opportunities. The Certificate, signed by VIST Coordinators Dunia Lara (Sepulveda) and Lisa Mitchell (Los Angeles and West Los Angeles), reads as follows: […]

VA has announced that a rule will soon be proposed within the Department that would extend eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) through September 30, 2028, to certain veterans and their family caregivers. PCAFC is part of VA’s broader Caregiver Support Program. It offers enhanced clinical support for family caregivers of eligible veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty and who meet other eligibility […]

The final week of July offers opportunities to recognize the value of American veterans on the job and several other milestone dates of significance for them. July 25 and July 27-29 are all recognized for different but important reasons. National Hire A Veteran Day, July 25 – The observance aims to inspire employers to recruit and hire veterans by recognizing the unique skills and values that former Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen bring […]

BVA members from the Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group and supporters from both Illinois and North Carolina are once again anticipating the August New Orleans Hash House Harriers’ (NOH3) Red Dress Run as a means of raising funds for the presentation of Braille Flags at the Louisiana State Library in Baton Rouge, the South Regional Library in Lafayette, and the libraries in St. Charles Parish and Vermillion Parish. Every year on the second Saturday in August, NOH3 […]

The sights and sounds of the Blinded Veterans Association’s 80th National Convention will doubtless remain in the hearts and minds of those associated with the historic gathering, hopefully for months and years to come. For BVA members and their families unable to make it to Dallas this year, BVA Happenings offers a sequel to last week’s convention recap with some additional images. Tracy Ferro offers point of emphasis at convention Opening Business Meeting. BVA Executive […]

Since 1944, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped generations of veterans and service members build stronger financial futures. As part of its mission to serve them, VA Loan Guaranty Service helps veterans buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for their personal occupancy. The VA home purchase loan offers several advantages for veterans: In most cases, no or limited down payment required by VA (lenders require a down payment in […]

The month of June brought Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and today, June 27, is PTSD Awareness Day. PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-altering event. The attention afforded to PTSD in June brings the issue to the forefront and increases public understanding about a mental health condition that affects more than 13 million people in the United States. In June 2024, the staff at the Connections Wellness Group in the Dallas […]

The Honorable Douglas A. Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, will address blind and low vision veterans and their families at the Association’s 80th National Convention Opening Ceremony on Monday, July 7, at 8:00am. The Opening Ceremony, scheduled for Cumberland K&L (Exhibition Level) at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, is open to all convention attendees and the general public. On February 5, Senate lawmakers voted to confirm Collins as the first ever post-9/11 veteran to serve as […]

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary celebrates its 86th birthday this Monday, June 23. Strange and unnecessary as it may seem, the Coast Guard has both a Reserve as well as an Auxiliary component. While BVA and other Veterans Service Organizations have supportive Auxiliary organizations, the functions of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are different. Duties include those similar to or in support of the regular Coast Guard, but these functions also promote and support general maritime […]