Category: VA

“Hey, got a minute?” Usually when you hear this questions, it means more than one minute and the person asking wants something from you. Let’s turn that around and give ourselves just one moment. One moment of peace. One moment of breathing. One moment of gratitude. One moment to stretch your arms and flex your…

Did you know around 1-in-3 Veterans who receive VA care access part of that care through telehealth? In recognition of the American Telemedicine Association’s third annual Telehealth Awareness Week (Sept. 17-23), VA is celebrating how telehealth has increased access to care for Veterans. Telehealth has played a pivotal role in overcoming barriers that Veterans face…

In the Veterans’ Bedford Green apartments on the Bedford VA campus lives a Navy Veteran whose life story captures the strength of the human spirit and the healing power of music. Ray Fernandes, once the drummer and background vocalist for the Boston rock band “The Atlantics,” will soon be inducted into the New England Music…

In pursuit of VA’s commitment to being a high-reliability organization and provide high-quality and holistic care, VA’s National Oncology Program recognizes the significance of healthy living in cancer care. Faced with the challenges of cancer, maintaining well-being is of utmost importance. VA has transformative resources, guidance and real-world perspectives that empower Veterans, enhance well-being and…

Eastern Oklahoma VA welcomed youth volunteers back to its facilities on June 7 – July 31 as part of the Youth Volunteer Summer Program, facilitated by the Center for Development and Civic Engagement. Students had the opportunity to work in many areas interacting with Veterans and their families at the Jack C. Montgomery VA and…

Eyeglasses are an essential service for eligible Veterans, as vision impairment can lead to mental health concerns, falls and need for social care. VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services is committed to providing all eligible Veterans with eyeglasses and, in 2023, provided nearly two million pairs of eyeglasses to Veterans. Eye care is one of…

With more than 1.3 million Veterans impacted by some loss of hearing, VA is focused intently on changing the way hearing health care services are provided through an effort to bring licensed hearing instrument specialists to every VA facility. Working as a hearing instrument specialist, you’ll partner with Veterans on their journey back to better…

As the nation honors its Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action on Sept. 15, South Texas reflects on one of its own who continued to serve other Veterans once he returned home. Tillman Rutledge enlisted in the Army to go overseas during World War II and fight for his country. He was 17.…

Transitioning from military to civilian life was “a downhill spiral” for Army Veteran Gregory Saunders. Departing from his camouflage uniform, combat boots and the security of a military base to the new reality of calling a car as his home led him to a dark place. In the midst of nightmares and physical pain, he…

LaSalle R. Vaughn was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Nov. 5, 1923, as one of five children to Roger and Lizzette Vaughn. He went to school in Baton Rouge and, after Franklin Roosevelt established a Presidential Directive permitting Black Americans the opportunity to serve in the Marine Corps, enlisted in 1943. Instead of being…

Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1958, Christine Tron grew up loving her father’s stories of his Army service in the Philippines. At 18, Tron joined the Army when it was the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1977, completing one of the last cycles of basic combat training before women began serving in the regular Army…

On Sept. 14, 2023, VA marks the 100th anniversary of providing health care services to women Veterans. While women have served in nearly all of America’s wars, it wasn’t until after World War I that women Veterans were granted access to government health care.   Hospitalization and medical care for women who served as Army or…