BVA’s Emerald Coast Regional Group was recognized by WEAR-TV in Pensacola, Florida, for the group’s donation of a tactile Bronze Braille American Flag at the city’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.

The donation was unveiled on March 28 as a recognition and celebration of National Blinded Veterans Day, designated as such 13 years ago through a congressional resolution and proclamation by President Barack Obama. The flag was installed onto a structural pillar just outside the clinic’s entrance.

Following the ceremony, veterans and their families participated in demonstrations of prosthetic items such as talking watches and magnification devices, a distribution of materials about the variety of blind rehabilitation services within the VA system, and role plays that teach proper etiquette for sighted guides.     

Regional group secretary Paul Kaufman described the significance of the Braille flag and the donation to WEAR-TV, which covers northwestern Florida and southern Alabama. For a brief report on the event that includes Paul’s explanation of the tactile flag, click here.