News

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A Look Back at BVA’s Historic 1948 Emblem Unveiling

President Harry S. Truman presents the Official Insignia of the Blinded Veterans Association, Inc., to the executives of the organization. Included in the photograph from left to right are: Lloyd M. Greenwood, Executive Director, New York; Harrison King, Washington, D.C.; James W. Hope, Gastonia, N.C.; Raymond T. Frey, Past President, Le Banon, Pennsylvania; Byrum S. Shumway, of Board of Directors, Baltimore, Maryland; President Harry S. Truman; Irvin P. Schloss, Baltimore, Maryland; Robert Pistel, Chairman, Baltimore, […]

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Spring Meetings Prepare Regional Groups for National Convention

Flanked by Lawrence Harrison and Michaun Harrison, Air Force veteran Claudia Baldwin breaks for lunch following her solo rendition of “The U.S. Air Force,” adopted as the military branch’s official song in the late 1940s. Regional groups throughout the country are now on the move to hold spring meetings to determine which members of the group will attend the BVA 79th National Convention and to elect convention delegates and alternate delegates. The urgency is, at […]

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After Adversity, High Marks for Arkansas Fishing Derby

BVA’s own Marlene Davis-Lilly, Deputy National Service Director, member of the Captain Buddy Spivey Razorback Regional Group and Chapter Coordinator of Central Arkansas Team River Runner, schedules regular kayak events for area blinded veterans beginning in April of every year. This year was different, however, due to the theft of 12 kayaks and other essential gear. “We had an event programmed for the month of April to teach our blinded veterans of Memphis how to […]

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Honoring Jewish American War Veterans, Remembering the Holocaust

Please connect with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project this Monday, May 6, from 3:00-4:45pm for a live virtual event commemorating Jewish American Heritage Month and Holocaust Remembrance Day. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the contributions of Jewish veterans to the nation and to recall reverently the 6 million victims of the Holocaust.  Every year in May, hundreds of organizations and Americans of all backgrounds join together to discover, explore, and […]

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Updated Information for BVA National Convention, Accommodations

An UBER ride will get you to the taproom at the popular Veterans United Craft Brewery. The veteran-owned brewery features cold, craft beer brewed on the premises and guided Saturday tours of the production areas that include samples of fresh American and European ales on tap. Photo courtesy of Visit Jacksonville. Are you or a family member or guest still planning on attending the BVA 79th National Convention, but haven’t yet registered? If so, please […]

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Dive into May with BVA’s VetTech Team, OrCam

Keep Wednesday, May 1, at 2:00pm Eastern Time open on your calendars for VetTech’s Weekly Wednesday Webinar. The VetTech Team will welcome Michelle Mendez, National Sales Director for OrCam. Learn more about the power of MyEye Pro and Read to help users recognize the world around them.  Thanks to OrCam’s cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence, the MyEye Pro and Read possess impressive Optical Character Recognition accuracy and responsiveness. This means that user information is processed directly onto […]

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VA Mobile App Continues to Grow in Reach and Capability

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health and Benefits mobile application puts VA information and resources at veterans’ fingertips via their smartphones—anywhere, anytime. The capabilities of the app include, but are not limited to, the viewing and canceling of health care appointments, refilling and tracking VA-dispensed prescriptions, checking on claims and appeals status, uploading documentation to VA, obtaining vaccine records, sending a message to a doctor, locating a VA facility, and accessing the Veterans Crisis […]

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G Shares Convention Information for Guide Dogs and Veterans

“G”, BVA’s April Ambassadog. The BVA 79th National Convention is fast approaching and I wanted to share some useful information for my fellow Ambassadogs. As you may have heard, the convention is being held at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida, and my tail is wagging with excitement. Convention brings opportunities for us guide dogs to help our veterans navigate throughout the various meetings, events, and exhibit hall, but in addition, there is a very […]

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Silver Star Service Banner Day Honors Military Sacrifices, Combat Valor

This Wednesday, May 1, is Silver Star Service Banner Day. It is a day set aside to remember the sacrifices of those who have been wounded, sickened, or killed in combat across all branches of the military and thank them for their courage. It also recognizes those who have been awarded the Silver Star Medal, the third highest military decoration for valor and typically awarded for actions over a short time period. It may also […]

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With Spring Comes Flags, Plaques, and Proclamations for Louisiana/Mississippi RG

At center, Southeast Louisiana Health Care System Director Fernando Rivera with Gary Schoelerman, accompanied by Bogalusa Staff, Joe Burns, and guide dog Kendrick. Photo courtesy of Gary Schoelerman. The changing of the seasons has ignited the already high energy level of members of the Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group when it comes to their visibility and demonstrable generosity in local communities of both of the states they cover. They continue their quest to place Bronze Braille American […]