Category: VA

He is one of many youth volunteers who prove the gap is not that vast between generations of youth and America’s Veterans. Born into service, it is not new to summer youth volunteer Kirk Chaplin to give back his most valuable gift—time. Like many Veterans and their loved ones, West Palm Beach VA is this…

Seven Oklahoma Veterans were all smiles recently as they got together to commemorate their trip to the 2023 National Veterans Golden Age Games. The team competed in the annual Olympic-styled event with guidance and support from the Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Center (PRRC) team at Eastern Oklahoma VA. PRRC is a multidisciplinary team that supports…

The Tuskegee Campus, a century-old institution with significant historical and cultural value, began its legacy as the Tuskegee Home, originally part of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers system. The home-hospital, eventually comprising 27 buildings, was developed adjacent to the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) on 464 acres with 300 acres of the property…

Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” At Bay Pines VA, our staff embodies that sentiment, and one of those employees is maternity care coordinator Charmaine Gabino-Crooke, who takes particular pride in caring for expectant mothers. “My grandfather was a Korean War Veteran who served in the Army.…

There are a lot of places you could build a career, but VA offers opportunities, camaraderie and satisfaction unlike any other. In fact, there are numerous rewards available when you work at VA, and our brochures can help you understand the ways a job at VA stands out from the crowd. These downloadable brochures come…

Summertime is the best time to eat your fill, show off your cooking skills and enjoy the thrill of the grill! Your commissary is here to help you and your grill get fired up, with resources to help authorized customers, including eligible Veterans, shop and save on the ingredients they need to make their summer sizzle!…

Louis Davis Kaiser was born in Paducah, Kentucky, on Feb. 5, 1945, to parents Hudey Kizer and Dorothy Johnson. He attended Rock Island High School and was a renowned basketball player, earning him a spot in the school’s basketball hall of fame. He also attended St. Ambrose University, where he again shined as a star…

Let’s face it, the VA claims process can be overwhelming at time. As a Veteran who works for VA, I sometimes get overwhelmed with the claims process myself. Luckily, VA has experts who can help. What is the PACT Act? The PACT Act is the law officially known as the “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring…

Emory Scott West was born on September 12, 1874, in Troy, West Virginia. He attended several schools there and would go on to further his education by graduating from Redfield College in South Dakota. Not much is recorded of his early life, as he emerges primarily onto the historical scene during the Spanish-American War. During…

Nothing can brighten someone’s day better than a good meal, so whether you’re interested in preparing those meals or finding the best ways to offer healthy options to Veterans, VA’s Nutrition and Food Services team is cooking up opportunities for you. Though you might not realize it, food services play a huge role in what…

Robert Smith, who is legally blind, is a former Marine Corps scout sniper trying to relearn his entire way of life. Smith lost his sight following a stroke in February 2023 while sleeping in his Kansas City, Missouri, home. He is now completing a six-week inpatient program at Edward Hines Jr. VA’s Central Blind Rehabilitation Center. …

Having a sense of connection and community can go a long way in supporting our whole health and well-being. Feeing alone can sometimes make us get sick or keep us feeling ill. Positive social relationships are healthy, and they can be a source of strength and positivity in our lives. Relationships can affect our emotional,…