Joint Opening Ceremony
BVA National Sergeant-at Arms Brian O’Connell got the convention off to a perfect start with a trumpet solo rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner after directing the BVA’s own Rob Sanchas and Sheldon McKinney in a presentation of the colors at the opening ceremony Monday morning prior to convention welcome videos by Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs and Executive Director Dr. Vernon Humphrey’s introduction of Secretary Collins.
Tuesday’s Fireside Chat
Focusing on contemporary issues of accessibility, both at VA and through modern technology, Chet J. Frith (Director, VA Office of Section 508 Compliance) and Matt Ater (Senior Vice President, Vispero), offered brief introductory remarks and fielded a host of questions dealing with current challenges facing blind and low vision veterans as they attempt to navigate VA webpages and other information sources.
BVA Gala
The second annual convention gala was highlighted by a Board of Directors receiving line and a series of video tributes to BVA from current partners and convention sponsors. Vernon Humphrey also recognized all of the convention sponsors. A heartfelt keynote presentation by Andrii Smolenskyi followed in which he thanked BVA for presenting him with an honorary life membership in the Association. Several veterans and family members then took to the dance floor for the next hour!
Ambassador Breakfast Sponsored by OrCam
BVA members who have completed the ambassador certification program during the past three years, and who were present at the convention, were invited to and rewarded with an early morning breakfast sponsored by OrCam for the fourth consecutive year. Corinne Nero addressed the group of approximately 15 ambassadors.
Father Carroll Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, Sponsored NuEyes Technologies.
Convention attendees heard the legacy of BVA’s first National Chaplain (1946-1971) and blind rehabilitation pioneer Thomas J. Carroll. They also witnessed first-hand a powerful example of human resilience and the power of possibility in the form of Dan Parker, the event’s keynote speaker who urged attendees to never abandon, notwithstanding any adversity, the possibilities they were meant to achieve in their lives. Annual award winners announced at the luncheon were:
- Irving Diener Award: Bill Graves
- Recruiter of the Year Award: Warner Murray
- Distant Darling/Gent Award: Jennifer Troyer
- Superstar Award: Patrick Fischer
- Gold Gavel Incentive Award (numerical membership increase): Carolina Regional Group
- Silver Gavel Incentive Award (percentage membership increase): Captain Buddy Spivey Razorback Regional Group
- Honorary Memberships: Andrii Smolenskyi, Robert Murphy
BVAA Highlights and New Officers
The BVA Auxiliary conducted its traditional raffle drawings for special items to support the organization’s rejuvenated scholarship program. BVAA this year announced newly elected officers as follows: President – Kenneth Witt, Vice President – Gail Witt, Secretary – Kathy Ferro, Treasurer – Karin Myron, and Reporter – Robert Murphy.
BVA Business
Key Association business items were conducted in the following settings:
- Traditional Opening Business Meeting
- Veterans Service Program Claims Office open Sunday-Friday
- Team BVA Outreach Panel consisting of Committee Chairs Sheldon McKinney (Dog Handlers Group), Anthony Woodson (Adaptive Sports and Recreation, Book Club Group) and Monique Statham (Gardening Group)
- Learn BVA (presentation of Ambassador and Veterans Service Programs)
- Closing Business Meeting, which included the swearing-in of newly elected BVA and BVAA officers. Election results announced the election of Monique Statham as the new National Treasurer and adoption of the proposed revisions to the BVA National Bylaws. National President Wade Davis, Vice President Tracy Ferro, and National Secretary Doug Ingram had run unopposed for their respective offices.
Recreational and Instructional Activities
Three superb offsite activities and one stimulating onsite event, specific BVA, occupied the otherwise free time of dozens of convention attendees. The activities were perhaps the best in recent memory. They included the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza that chronicled the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy, a cooking seminar by Executive Chef and Blind Kitchen Founder Debra Erickson, a VIP tour of AT&T Stadium, and a barbecue and line dancing at the Circle R Ranch.
