Independence Day is a holiday that I look forward to more than any other. I love the outdoor summer reunions with family and friends, the parades, the barbecues, and many of the other traditions associated with the Fourth of July that have been part of my life from a very young age. To me, Independence Day and all that it means is a gift perhaps even more significant than the gifts of other holidays and birthdays.  

I first realized how much this holiday meant to me when I was either outside the country or still recovering from injuries that I sustained in the first Gulf War, including the loss of much of my eyesight. 

Like many Americans, I typically refer to this great holiday as the Fourth of July rather than Independence Day. As I’ve recently thought about these two references, however, I much prefer the latter term, especially as it relates to my fellow veterans who have, on the battlefield, fought to defend that gift of independence for the now more than 300 million Americans and their families. 

Ironically, some of my fellow veterans, many of them now among my best friends, lost one degree or another of their personal independence as they defended our nation’s independence—or perhaps sometime afterward. Driving a car was certainly no longer an option for them, nor was participation in a host of other productive activities and pursuits that are commonplace to the average person. Having experienced these losses myself, I can attest to their impact. 

Despite the adversity inherent in a loss of independence, the indomitable human spirit, coupled with the gifts of technology, training, and many other resources, brings renewed independence to our veterans who at one time believed they could no longer do much of anything. 

Among the members of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) who have effectively used these gifts, turning their lives around and regaining much of that lost independence, are blinded veterans Lonnie Bedwell, Shawntina Gibson, and Tracy Ferro. On May 22, for example, Lonnie became the fourth blind person to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest. I have recently learned also of Shawntina’s participation in an Ironman triathlon competition just weeks after another adaptive sports adventure that included sleeping outdoors in temperatures below freezing. In a somewhat different manner, Tracy uses his newly acquired independence to teach and encourage his fellow veterans to take advantage of the programs, services, and resources available through the Department of Veterans Affairs that will also bring them greater independence. 

To Lonnie, Shawntina, Tracy, and thousands of other blinded veterans, these opportunities are truly gifts, made possible in large part through BVA’s ability to advocate for them throughout its 78-year history. Such advocacy, in turn, has been possible only through the gifts of generous Americans who care about our veterans and upon which BVA desperately relies. 

Would you consider continuing your support of our veterans who have lost their sight with a small gift of your own of $10, $20, or more? Throughout the month of July your gift will be matched and thereby doubled by another generous donor. Your help allows BVA to continue to help our veterans access the benefits, services, and confidence-building activities that they have earned from their previous gifts of service and sacrifice. 

Click here to donate now. Also, if you know a blinded veteran or a family member of one, please tell them about BVA. You can also call our headquarters office at 1-800-669-7079 and we will contact them to offer help. 

With great appreciation, 

Donald D. Overton, Jr. 

Executive Director