Military and Veteran News

Military & Veterans News VA expands access to Veterans Legacy Memorial, allowing Veterans to chronicle their life story Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs expanded the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) — the nation’s largest digital platform dedicated to the memory of Veterans and service members — to allow Veterans to tell their own story before they pass away. The new “Your Story, Your Legacy” feature will allow Veterans who have been approved for VA’s pre-need eligibility determination for burial in a VA national cemetery to log in to a secure website where they can privately submit images, autobiographies, military and life milestones, and historical documents.

Military & Veterans Life Cover Story: Military Olympians bound for Tokyo The Tokyo Summer Olympics are finally happening this month, after being delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite barring spectators for safety reasons, the Games will continue as planned. And, in keeping with tradition, our U.S. military will be represented: three coaches and 17 of the 614 American athletes competing this time are military members. 

WeSalute Awards HeroVet: Mike Krzyzewski From captain of West Point’s basketball team to a captain in the Army and on to coach Duke’s extraordinary Blue Devils for over three decades, Mike Krzyzewski’s lifetime of leadership is admirable. Coach K, as he is known, recently announced his retirement after 47 years of coaching. He will complete the upcoming 2021-2022 season of college basketball and retire at age 75 to spend time with family.

Military & Veterans News VA offers debt relief to Veterans impacted by natural disasters WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today its commitment to extend debt relief to Veterans adversely impacted by natural disasters. 

Military & Veterans News The country makes a milestone commitment to prioritize suicide prevention for Veterans and all Americans WASHINGTON — The President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) Office and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today 42 states and one U.S. territory signed the PREVENTS state proclamation pledging their prioritization of suicide prevention for Veterans and all citizens in their jurisdictions. 

Military & Veterans Life Cover Story: U.S. Army’s "Green to Gold” Program Offers Incentives and Motivations to Climb the Ranks For those looking for a great reason to enter the military, here's an inspirational story that will have you, or someone you know, enlisting today!

Military & Veterans News Secretary Wilkie meets with leaders at Washington DC VA Medical Center Today, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie visited the Washington DC VA Medical Center (VAMC), where he met with facility and regional leaders and received updates on recent progress in Veterans’ care and plans for further improvements at the facility. 

Military & Veterans News Forever GI Bill Expands VA Educational Benefits Effective Aug. 1, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented 15 more provisions of the Harry W. Colmery Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also referred to as the Forever GI Bill.

Military & Veterans News VA resumes in-person benefits services halted by the COVID-19 response  WASHINGTON — The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the reestablishment of in-person benefits services in select locations throughout the country. 

Military & Veterans News VA’s Transition Assistance Program Participant Guide honored by marketing association WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today its Transition Assistance Program (TAP) was recently recognized by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals during the 2020 Hermes Creative Awards, for the VA Benefits and Services Participant Guide — a publication that makes it easy for transitioning service members and Veterans to understand their benefits.

Military & Veterans News VA, Blue Star Families to support Veterans impacted by COVID-19 WASHINGTON — To better support Veterans impacted by COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it is partnering with Blue Star Families (BSF) for the COVID-19 Military Support Initiative (CMSI). 

Military & Veterans News VA Directs $84 Million to National Effort Preventing Veteran Homelessness The Department of Veterans Affairs is injecting $84 million into the nationwide fight against veteran homelessness, announcing a new round of grants aimed at providing critical support services. The funds will be distributed among 176 organizations across the country dedicated to helping veterans who are currently homeless or in danger of losing their housing.

Military & Veterans News Simplified travel claims submissions now available on VA mobile app The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that eligible Veterans can now submit and track “mileage-only” travel claims directly from a smartphone or mobile device via the VA Health and Benefits mobile app.

Military & Veterans News VA terminates union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the termination of collective bargaining agreements for most VA bargaining-unit employees, a move that will make it easier for VA leaders to promote high-performing employees, hold poor performers accountable, and improve benefits and services to America’s Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA health and benefits app reaches 3M downloads The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that its Health and Benefits mobile app has achieved more than 3 million downloads since its launch in 2021.

Military & Veterans News Record breaking VA claims production brings backlog under 200K The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that its disability benefits compensation claims backlog is under 200,000 for the first time since March 5, 2023.

Military & Veterans News VA announces $52M in available suicide prevention grant funds The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the availability of approximately $52.5 million in grants for community-based organizations that provide suicide prevention or emergency clinical services to Veterans at risk of suicide.

Military & Veterans News VA to host Memorial Day ceremonies at 130+ national cemeteries The Department of Veterans Affairs will host Memorial Day ceremonies this weekend at more than 130 VA national cemeteries across the country, with 100,000 total expected attendees.

Military & Veterans News VA makes it easier for Veterans to use community care The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced changes that will make it easier for VA-enrolled Veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.

Military & Veterans News VA broadens online memorials for Veterans buried overseas The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it has expanded its Veterans Legacy Memorial website to add 210,000 additional pages for American Veterans interred and honored in cemeteries and memorials managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission overseas. The collaboration between VA’s National Cemetery Administration and ABMC brings the total number of VLM pages to more than 10 million.

Military & Veterans News VA announces major survivor benefits reforms The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced a three-pronged approach to eliminate barriers and streamline the process for how eligible survivors and dependents of deceased Veterans and servicemembers apply for and receive VA benefits and services.

Military & Veterans News VA, non-profits partner to honor fallen Veterans during Memorial May Throughout May, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration is joining forces with non-profit organizations Carry The Load, Travis Manion Foundation and Victory for Veterans to pay homage to Veterans interred in VA National Cemeteries through a series of events, volunteer opportunities and shared stories.

Military & Veterans News VA marks 100 days of putting Veterans first Today marks 100 days of the second Trump Administration.  During this time, VA has launched a host of major reforms to refocus the department on its core mission: providing the best possible care and services to Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors.

Military & Veterans News VA starts search for new health and benefits leaders The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced it has established commissions to find candidates to lead the Veterans Health and Veterans Benefits Administrations. VA Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., will chair both commissions.