The holiday season has officially begun. The spirit of this wonderful time of the year can trigger feelings of joy, love, and generosity. It is a time of celebration, coming together with loved ones, and expressing gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Amid darkness, there can also be light. We invite BVA members to share a portion of their light through video messages of gratitude. The videos will be featured on the Association’s social media channels and at BVA.org.  Our hope is to make the holiday season a little brighter for all. 

Here’s how you can participate:

Record a brief video message on your Smartphone (Android or iPhone), expressing what you are grateful for this holiday season (15-20 seconds maximum).

Once you’ve recorded the video, please send it via email to bva@bva.org. Include your name and type “Holiday Message” in the subject field.

Please follow these steps when creating your video:

• Hold your Smartphone in Portrait mode (taller than wide).
• Ensure that the camera is clean using an appropriate cloth to remove smudges.
• Unlock your Smartphone and launch the camera app.
• Switch to Video Mode by swiping left or right to find the “Video’ option at the bottom of the screen.
• Position the camera by holding it about an arm’s length away from your body. If using VoiceOver on iOS devices, it will guide yo8u on tilting and angling the camera for optimal framing.
• Temporarily mute VoiceOver or TalkBack to prevent capturing feedback.
• Utilize the volume controls to start and stop the recording.

Additional Tips for a Successful Recording:

• Begin the recording by stating your name, BVA affiliation, and military service information.
• Practice your message a few times before recording.
• Speak clearly and at a steady pace.
• Consider wearing BVA attire such as a polo shirt, hat, or other accessories.