Nearly 25% of Veterans who receive VA care have diabetes, more than double the rate found in the general population. Veterans are at higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes due to service-related chronic pain, joint damage and exposure to herbicides, such as Agent Orange. The disease is the leading cause of blindness, end-stage kidney disease…

Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Illinois Army National Guard Veteran and former tank mechanic Zuby Onwuta has dedicated his post-military career to improving access and opportunities for people with disabilities. Onwuta, a native of Nigeria, joined the Army to…

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. Veteran artist Kevin Basl and I met while working together to design art programs to support Veterans and service members recovering at Walter Reed National Military…

VA and the Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) invites cities, towns and non-profit groups across the country to join us in showing appreciation for Veterans by applying to hold VA-recognized regional Veterans Day observances. In 2024, 56 communities across 29 states and the District of Columbia hosted VA-recognized Veterans Day observances to pay tribute to…

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…

Pacific Islands VA has a retirement and rehabilitation in-patient living space called the Community Living Center. This area takes up part of the Center for Aging building in Honolulu. Resident Counsel President Jesse Sotelo has spearheaded a project to turn some of the land into a community garden. “It’s nice because we have some lilikoi…

Army Veteran Candace Decker describes herself as “being in a very dark place” before she connected with Pacific Islands VA. She had experienced military sexual trauma while she was active duty and even after she left the Army she continued to have night terrors and other issues. At first she didn’t think VA had programs that…

Even if it isn’t required, a cover letter is a fantastic way to tell the story of why you’re a good fit for a job. It also offers you a chance to share details that your resume doesn’t have room to explain. But how do you write a competent cover letter? What are recruiters looking…

Heather Ann Wilson was born in December 1960. She came from a military family: her grandfather, George G. “Scotty” Wilson, served in the Royal Air Force during World War I. He then immigrated to the United States and served as a courier pilot during World War II. He was one of the founding members of…

When asked if he’s a hero, 100-year-old WWII Navy Veteran Emerson Pell gave a short, modest response. After pausing for a moment, thinking, then shrugging his shoulders, he said, “I was just a normal guy.” A “normal guy” who dropped depth charges to damage enemy subs, survived a plane crash—11 hours on the water with…

I CARE: Integrity. Commitment. Advocacy. Respect. Excellence. These are the core values staff at Bay Pines VA consistently strive to embody in service to Veterans. During the performance of his routine duties, Jurgen Skroch was presented with the opportunity to live up to that ethos—and he didn’t hesitate to act.   Skroch has 30 years…

Air Force Veteran Anthony Hoskins recently faced a serious health challenge when his blood sugar spiked dangerously high. As someone living with type 2 diabetes, Hoskins relies on medication to help regulate his blood sugar levels. Without proper management, high blood sugar can lead to nerve damage, kidney damage or failure, damage to the blood…