Blind and low vision veterans and their families may not be aware of the Center for Minority Veterans (CMV), established by Public Law 103-446, in 1994. Title 38, United States Code (USC), Section 317 reflects the current responsibilities of the CMV, which seeks to champion minority veterans by ensuring awareness of, and equitable access to, the benefits and service they have earned through their service. The ultimate goal of the Center is to enhance the […]
The Travis Manion Foundation is once again partnering with VA’s National Cemetery Administration in mobilizing volunteers of all ages from across the country to pay respect to fallen heroes on and around Memorial Day. Known as The Honor Project, the associated events are being expanded this year to 20 national cemeteries in which volunteers will place hand-crafted commemorative tokens at the gravesites of those who have served while also reflecting on their service and sacrifice. […]
Arsenio is sitting in a tree, near the base, while “G” looks on from Arsenio’s feet. Last week I was able to bark about my dad, BVA member Arsenio, and our unbreakable bond. This week I wish to share a little about what that bond en“tails”. Humans often say that dogs are man’s best friend, but I am more like a son to my human. We have gone everywhere together since the day we met […]
This Sunday, April 14, marks another historic milestone for the Air Force Reserve and all who have contributed to its success along the way. Reservists in every branch of the military are an important part of the Department of Defense’s strategy for manpower, global reach, and flexibility. With approximately 450 aircraft, a typical response time for the Air Force Reserve to mobilize for mission readiness and become deployable is an amazingly short 72 hours. This […]
As evening approaches, panoramic view of Downtown Jacksonville from across the St. John’s River. Photo courtesy of Visit Jacksonville. BVA members and their families are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the 79th National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. The registration includes all BVA-specific activities and meetings that will occur July 7-10, 2024, including a Florida Regional Group 50th anniversary celebration hosted by the group to which all BVA members and their families are […]
More than 70 blind and low vision veterans participated last week (April 1-7) in the annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) at Snowmass Village in Aspen, Colorado. That number fortuitously included BVA National Membership Coordinator Teresa Galgano, who was there to sign up as a new member Jeffrey A. Hockett of Missouri City, Texas, the Association’s first ever Space Force veteran. The new memberships became official following a special April 6 meeting organized […]
Join BVA’s VetTech team this Wednesday, April 10, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, for our Weekly Wednesday Webinar. We will welcome James Bailey, Vispero’s Sales Director for the Southeast area and Liz Whitaker, the company’s Product Manager for User Education and Outreach. The webinar will present and discuss Vispero’s wide range of desktop magnifiers, beginning with the company’s Onyx and Ruby and extending to Freedom Scientific’s ZoomText and Open Book. […]
“G”, BVA’s April Ambassadog. Thank you to my fellow Ambassadog Kent for the introduction and for onboarding me with the ceremonial frisbee toss last week. My name is G and I currently guide BVA member Arsenio. My dad, as I refer to him, served in the US Army earning the rank of staff sergeant serving tours in Germany and Korea. When his military career ended, he went on to become an X-ray Technician and had […]
Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) will participate as a bugler in a special Daily Taps performance at the National World War I Memorial in the Nation’s Capital this Monday, April 8, at 5:00pm Eastern Time. The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Doughboy Foundation invited Senator Tester to accompany descendants of the nicknamed “U.S. Army Hello Girls” at the performance. Senator Tester is an original co-sponsor of the legislation […]
This Sunday, April 7, is World Health Day, celebrated annually as a global health awareness opportunity under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO). Like VA’s monthly Whole Health themes promoted regularly in BVA Happenings, World Health Day draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people throughout the world each year. This year’s theme is “My Health, My Right.” The origin of the choice of dates stems from the founding of […]
