Neil Ellis Bateman, a Cheektowaga native, was the second son born to Wallace and Ruth Bateman on April 9, 1947. Neil followed dad Wally’s footsteps, enlisting in the Army after graduating from Maryvale High School in 1966. Neil’s older brother Newton (“Newt,” as many called him) enlisted in the Navy as a pharmacist. According to…
VA-Guaranteed Home Loans: A trusted option for Veterans at every stage
The weather is getting warmer, the flowers are in bloom and “for sale” signs are blossoming on hundreds of thousands of homes across the United States. Spring is the traditional start of the homeownership journey for many Americans, but especially for service members and Veterans who are used to spring bringing Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders that require military members and their families to move to different military installations. …
VA Police honored nationwide during National Police Week
A mission unlike any other Across hundreds of medical centers, clinics and campuses, Department of Veterans Affairs police officers received recognition their mission deserves when the nation observed National Police Week and marked Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15. From large, urban VA Medical Centers to rural outpatient clinics, more than 4,000 VA police…
Veterans of every generation find their stride in adaptive sports
The Winter Sports Clinic bridges generations through recovery and connection At the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, there’s no single profile of a participant. Veterans arrive from different branches, eras and life experiences. Some are just beginning to navigate a new reality after injury. Others have spent decades adapting. But on the slopes, those differences fade, replaced by a shared pursuit of…
Job search tips for new grads
Graduating is a major milestone and, for many, the beginning of an exciting new chapter. As you step into the job market, it’s natural to feel both energized and uncertain about where to start. The good news? Your education and training have prepared you with valuable knowledge and skills. With the right approach, and these…
Women Veterans, your VA is coming to you
The first Women Veterans Enrollment Summit will be held in the Southwest Region at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, on July 24–25, 2026. Are you a woman Veteran who hasn’t yet connected with VA? Or do you know a sister Veteran who might need support? This year, the Center for…
Live Whole Health #318: Treat your body with kindness
Loving kindness meditation is a specific practice that invites us to cultivate warmth and love for others and ourselves. When I first heard the phrase “loving-kindness,” it felt distant and unfamiliar, and I wanted to keep it that way. It implied that I needed to sit and experience more of my internal world to… what?…
Plan your future with VA’s Military Life Cycle (MLC) modules
We’ve all fallen down the rabbit hole of endless scrolling, from adorable baby videos to mind-blowing dance moves, and lawns that are practically a work of art. But while you’re enjoying the latest viral sensation, have you paused to think about planning your future? VA’s Military Life Cycle (MLC) modules are here to help you…
Practical skills for Veterans to lower suicide risk
You can take steps every day to manage challenges before they build into something bigger Suicide prevention isn’t only about what happens before or during a crisis. It’s also about the practical skills you use every day to handle stress, frustration, isolation or major life changes before they pile up. If you’re adjusting to civilian…
Whole Health services improve outcomes for Veterans
New data shows Whole Health boosts outcomes and engagement for Veterans Veterans are seeing meaningful improvements in their health and well-being through VA’s Whole Health services. Recent findings from several national studies show that Veterans who participate in Whole Health experience stronger support, improved physical and mental health, and better long-term outcomes than those receiving…
How VA nurses are enabling access to care
Across the country, nurses at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are leading innovative efforts to ensure Veterans receive timely, high-quality care, no matter where they live. From rural outreach to coordinated follow-up care, these dedicated professionals are breaking down barriers and redefining what accessible health care looks like. Keep reading to learn more about these health care strides and how…
The power of connection: why access, not awareness, changes outcomes
The sharing of non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans should always verify information with the organization offering the program. If you ask most people what Veterans need, you’ll hear the same answers—more resources, more programs, more funding. But after years of working directly…