Category: VA

John Harold Pease was born in November 1919 to John and Mary Pease in Stillwater, Minnesota. His passion for aviation took flight in Boise, Idaho, where his family relocated when he was 10. An outdoorsman at heart, he spent his youth hunting and fishing along the Boise River. After his early years in Boise, he…

With over 3 million downloads and 1.4 million monthly active users, the VA Health and Benefits app is proving to be an essential tool for Veterans. This milestone is more than just a number—it represents real impact, real convenience and real-time access to critical VA services. Whether it’s managing health care, checking benefits, or staying…

Thomas Gillis was born the year before President Hoover signed Executive Order 5368 creating the then-known Veterans Administration, and this week, Gillis will make history as the oldest registered Veteran athlete participating in the 39th National Veterans Golden Age Games, proving the adage, “Age isn’t nothing but a number.” An Army Veteran from Fouls River,…

For Marine Corps Veteran David Reeves, leaving military service led to battles with addiction and homelessness. Reeves served eight years in the Marines as a data network specialist, deploying to Iraq in 2008 and to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from 2009 to 2010. After returning home, he was stationed in St. Louis before receiving a medical…

For 83-year old Air Force Veteran Alfred Izzarone, having a VA care team diagnose his PTSD was the first of many steps in taking care of his mental health. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he didn’t know if he would be able to get care. Fortunately, VA’s TeleMental Health services allowed Izzarone to continue…

Army Ranger Tommy Gwynn feels even better today than he did six years ago when he turned 100. “Always smile and have a good heart,” the 106-year-old, 12-time Purple Heart recipient said when asked his secret to longevity. Since 2019, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and the Tullahoma community throw a birthday bash for the…

The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering. You answered the call to serve—now it’s time to answer the call of the wild. Built by a Veteran, for Veterans, the National Veterans Outdoors Resource…

Vietnam Veteran Dennis Dubas didn’t expect to survive the year. Instead, he became the first patient to receive a life-saving heart valve procedure at VA Eastern Colorado, one that could improve heart health care for Veterans across the region.  From the rivers of Vietnam to the hills of Colorado  Dubas, 78, served two combat tours…

Do you want to find more balance in your life? Good news! Balance is not somewhere out there, it’s right here where you are. Instead of trying to find balance, we can simply connect with it. There is a beautiful and powerful sense of balance that is always unfolding within each one of us, every…

The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering. We’ve curated an assortment of events that aim to assist, educate, and enrich Veterans and their families. Each week, we’ll continue to post relevant and timely…

We often hear nutrition is important for our physical health, but did you know it also affects mental health? Nutrition has been connected to behavior, mood and the treatment of mental illness. Studies have found that a highly processed diet can put us at a higher risk of developing anxiety or depression. A highly processed…

The Golden Age Games are the world’s largest sports rehabilitation event of its kind for Veterans over age 55. The annual event, which this year takes place May 31 – June 5, gives Veterans the opportunity to shine year-round, proving that athleticism has no age limit and that a focus on sports and fitness is…