Category: VA

Love chocolate? We do, too! We know food is fuel, but it’s also joy, comfort, excitement, tradition and more. Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but it doesn’t have to be a holiday to enjoy a sweet treat. Balance is the key for healthy eating habits. Poly what? Polyphenols are plant compounds that may reduce…

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…

This is the story of a Veteran who had a rough time, but is now ready to help others. As a high school student, John Jeffery did his fair share of partying and experimenting with various drugs. After failing to complete a semester at community college, he felt aimless and enlisted in the Army at…

March’s National Nutrition Month offers us a chance to celebrate our traditions and focus on our Whole Health. This year’s theme is “Food Connects Us,” which reminds us that the foods we enjoy are often connected to our family, culture and social connections. Sharing a meal is a way to connect, and every family and…

Like the Veterans we care for, rural communities are as engaging and exciting as you can imagine. From opportunities to be closer to family and friends, or just enjoying a greater sense of privacy, there’s a lot to be said for rural communities. Regardless of what appeals to you, you can find the pace of…

David Emanuel Hickman was born in January 1988 in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduating from Northeast High School in 2006, where he was a football star and Taekwondo black belt, Hickman joined the Army in 2009. Hickman was a specialist in the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team at the Army’s…

Army Veteran Terrill Giere has been out of the military for more than 20 years, but he still has the fighting spirit of a soldier. After battling heart failure and a stroke, relying on a left ventricular device (LVAD) to keep him alive, and then developing a potentially deadly infection, Giere recently received a life-saving heart…

Nicholas Straber, a Boy Scout and a senior at Triton Central High School, is following in his family’s tradition by undertaking a community service project aimed at aiding homeless Veterans in Indianapolis by partnering with Indianapolis VA. Straber and his fellow Troop 104 members planned and executed a donation drive to acquire needed personal supplies…

In 2024, 53% of men and 47% of women reportedly experienced some form of romance scam in an online dating environment. Romance scams targeting Veterans often begin innocently on dating apps or websites, social media platforms or even through email. Scammers create convincing personas and may pose as fellow Veterans, active duty military personnel, or…

Motivated and dedicated are the two words that best describe Stark Hill, a licensed practical nurse, telehealth clinical technician and preceptor. She tackles all those jobs and more to support Veterans at the Chattanooga VA Clinic in person and online through VA’s telehealth services. Hill’s journey did not start in the halls of Chattanooga, nor…

Editor’s note: 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. For many Veterans, the transition to civilian life comes with challenges. The Veterans Community Support (VCS) Program by Your Next Mission provides a comprehensive…

At Ralph H. Johnson VA, our commitment to Veterans extends beyond medical care to ensuring Veterans’ families feel supported and valued. We’re proud to spotlight our Ambassador of Excellence, Rocheryl Michael, a dedicated information receptionist who works in the family lounge. With over 30 years of service in the medical field, Michael brings a wealth…