Hank Ebert joined the Navy in 1966 as a helicopter combat rescue airman. Based out of Japan and trained as a rescue combat swimmer, he spent two tours flying up and down the Vietnam coastline during the war. Shortly after returning home to Minnesota in September 1970, his life took a dramatic turn. “I got…

During the holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of festivities and indulgence. But amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s important to remember the value of simplicity and balance when it comes to meals and self-care. Simple is underrated While holiday meals often bring visions of elaborate feasts and decadent treats,…

As 2024 draws to a close, let’s look back on the major strides we have made toward ending Veteran homelessness and look ahead to how we can keep that momentum going into next year. Veteran homelessness reached an all-time low this year and we also exceeded our goal to house 41,000 Veterans by over 16%.…

This is the story of a teenager, his rabbits and a very generous donation for Veterans. Mason Michaelson has always been a compassionate and determined young man. At the age of five, he joined the local 4-H club of Ontario County. Michaelson, now 14, has shown rabbits, poultry, goats and pigs over the years at…

Tomah VA inducted 107-year-old Merchant Marine Veteran Reynolds Tomter into its Hall of Heroes on Dec. 3. Tomter was born in April 1917 where he lived on a farm two miles from Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin. He married Dorothea Hoff in 1939 and they had a daughter, Julie Ann. Though he planned to enlist in the…

From my perspective as an Air Force Veteran with decades of experience working in Veteran suicide prevention, here are a few things all Veterans should know: Suicide is preventable. There is hope. VA offers a range of programs and initiatives for all Veterans, no matter when or how you served. The first thing Veterans experiencing…

Born Johann Banner in Stanislav, Austria, in 1910, John Banner became known for his role as inept German prison guard “Sergeant Schultz” in the “Hogan’s Heroes.” The 1965 comedic television show about U.S. soldiers held captive by Nazis during World War II ran for six years. Banner originally sought to become a lawyer at the…

Gregory Zielsdorf was on the kidney donor list for three years. Zielsdorf, 49, works at Erie VA as a transportation assistant. He served in the Army from 1995 to 2016 and served two tours in Iraq. During his time in the Army, he experienced flare ups of gout and his kidney levels changed for the…

Columbia VA achieved a significant milestone Dec. 4 by performing its first spinal cord stimulation (SCS) implantation. This cutting-edge procedure provides relief to those experiencing chronic pain and who haven’t responded to other treatments. The process began with a trial phase to evaluate pain relief. If the trial provides at least a 50% reduction in…

Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Every day, countless Veterans and service members rely on VA medical facilities for healing and support. While these facilities provide essential services, the emotional and personal support offered by volunteers is unparalleled in its…

For many people, if you were to ask them, “Where do you see yourself at the age of 76?” The response probably wouldn’t be, “Re-learning to downhill ski.” For Army Veteran Gayle Smith, that is exactly what she is doing. Growing up in rural upstate New York, Smith learned to ski at 10 and was…

Samantha Santiago is an Army Veteran and active-duty military spouse. She is dedicated to using her experience to articulate the challenges faced by military families and Veterans. Here are her insights on continuing service. Many Veterans and transitioning service members share a desire for camaraderie, the urge to work for a common purpose, and a…