At 8:45am on March 28, 1945, approximately 100 recently returning World War II service members and veterans gathered for a much-publicized meeting at Avon Old Farms Army Convalescent Hospital. The minutes of the meeting recorded that the group assembled, all young men at the time, were recovering from combat injuries, the most notable of which was their loss of sight. 

Time spent at the Connecticut facility also consisted of a program of instruction and practical training through which they learned how to adjust and cope with the loss utilizing the resources and technology available in 1945.

The purpose of the scheduled meeting, which reportedly spread quickly and with urgency to all veteran inpatients, was to formalize the institutional means by which they could help and serve one another in ways beyond that of a simple fraternity. Although the focus of the discussion that day was largely on themselves, they also spoke of others who would return from battle thereafter with similar wounds.

Although few present at the meeting could have envisioned an organization with the same name and largely the same purpose 78 years later, the wisdom and commitment with which they acted that day and throughout BVA’s early years marked a successful path forward.   

The result that morning was the founding of the Blinded Veterans Association, or BVA. Resolutions in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate 13 years ago recognized BVA’s humble beginnings and called upon all Americans to remember blinded veterans in future years on March 28, the date from that time forward to be known as National Blinded Veterans Day. President Barack Obama signed the resolution on April 7, 2010.

As BVA celebrates its 78-year anniversary of that Avon Old Farms gathering this coming Tuesday, the big picture consists of a long history of accomplishments that include legislative advocacy on behalf of both combat and noncombat blinded veterans, successful claims assistance and volunteer programs, a model for a prosperous partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs in serving veterans and their families, and new outreach now to veterans who are struggling with their vision but who are not yet legally blind.

On this historic March 28, 2023, BVA also recognizes the wonderful generosity of Americans who have so freely given over a span of 78 years, helping blinded veterans create fulfilling and productive lives for themselves. Since BVA receives no funding from the government or any other public entity, such help has been critical to the organization’s long survival and success. Even the most modest of contributions make a difference and mean so much to veterans with sight loss and their families. To continue supporting BVA and its programs for veterans who have sacrificed so much, click here.