Want to give your time and talents to support the care of America’s Veterans? Volunteers are an invaluable resource for VA and it is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) volunteers provide to Veteran patients.

There are many ways you can get involved and help fellow Veterans through VA’s Voluntary Service Program. VAVS volunteers have the opportunity to work at hospitals, outpatient clinics, readjustment counseling centers, VA regional offices, and cemeteries.

Some volunteers also provide in-home companionship to homebound Veterans. For example, the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System recruits volunteers to provide a much needed break for primary caregivers. Check out how Caregiver Support Volunteers Karissa Trimpe, Barbara Carling and Richard Hambacher make a difference in the lives of the Veterans and caregivers they help.

Students can also volunteer through the Student Volunteer Program and gain valuable experience and training. Student volunteers can explore their health care career options and gain experience in a health care environment while learning new skills and making new friends. There are also scholarship opportunities for student volunteers through VAVS and veterans service organizations, such as the James H. Parke Memorial Youth Scholarship Award.

Becoming a VAVS volunteer is simple. Click here to fill out a volunteer form and a local VAVS representative will contact you to provide further information and set up an appointment for an interview. Or you can contact your local VA facility and let them know your interest in the volunteer program. Learn more about the program here, and join the VAVS family to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans.

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4 Comments

  1. Pete DePalma May 28, 2013 at 17:56

    This initiative will only work is the VA provides the proper training and the Service Organizations only use Service Officers who know what they are doing.

    The DAV represents me and when I reopened my claim in an attempt to get an increase as I have been stuck at 20% since 1991 and the VA conveniently and regularly, not to mention intentionally, “loses” my evidence, lies about obtaining my medical records (I have a signed affidavit from my VA Hospital ROI Officer), and pretends my Military Medical File is missing when it is in the back of my C File…right where it should be, I decided to do it thru the Service Officer thinking there would be a more adequate paper trail since a 3rd party would be involved. BOY WAS I WRONG!

    Imagine my shock when the DAV Officer handed me a blank form and asked me to sign it and told me the VA would look at my record and open any necessary claims on my behalf and pay me accordingly and that I didnt have to claim anything specific.

    If THATS the kind of help they are going to offer us then we are all screwed! Or should I say MORE Screwed!

  2. Charles M Day III May 27, 2013 at 02:32

    I wrote these poems several years ago. At that time Gen. George Pace said he would hang them in the Pentagon for all the Service men and women could see them. I am sending them to you so you can Reproduce it as many times as needed as a honor to our service men and women.
    Thank you

    HONOR TO THE SERVICES

    NAVY

    Ocean wave, foam and steel!
    Brave men and women manning gun and wheel;
    Flesh and blood in diligence, to search and see,
    They stand ready in raging swell or becalmed sea.
    To those who would threaten you and me,
    They sail near and far to bring the battle by air and sea.
    To plant the flag of freedom, justice and truth,
    This with pain and death is given to our budding youth.
    Look out to their pure and honored dress white ranks.
    For us all and for their sakes pray to God and give them thanks.

    COAST GUARD

    Born to patrol and guard our coast from smugglers and foreign
    Hosts!
    They ride through a boiling waters, rough swells, shot and shell.
    Night and day they save lives at the risk of their own.
    Fighting smugglers and crime with a vigorous and steady tone!
    They watch over traffic in the shipping lanes and on the high sea.
    Fighting fires, giving aid, and watching over you and me!
    SEMPER PARATUS, ALWAYS READY, this is their cry.
    For this country, they guard, they save, they fight and they die.
    Give thanks to God for these men and women of coastal blue.
    For without them, there is no freedom for me and you.

    MARINE

    For battle at sea they were born.
    From there they took the battle to shores of sand.
    There, to fight and die in many a foreign land.
    To show their strength of purpose with honor in mind,
    For duty and honor they did their task and left many behind.
    To battle, they sail and march in hot days and cold nights.
    They serve us by defending our freedom and rights.
    No complaint is heard from their young lips.
    As they fight and die for this country as its future it grips.
    Let us fall on our knees and pray to God Almighty,
    That these men and women in blue and red, are in God’s safety

    ARMY

    Marching in forest and swamp, over hill and dale.
    They fight the bitter fight and die in a bullet hail.
    To defend us in battle and guard us in foreign lands,
    We place our safety in their capable hands.
    To look toward the future when there is no war,
    They march forward into the enemy’s bore.
    For this country they are called and they are sent.
    For truth Justice and Honor their blood is spent.
    To God w give thanks and praise over what we have seen.
    May God protect these brave men and women in green!

    UNITED…

  3. patrick d. murphy May 24, 2013 at 18:56

    for the way in which the north texas health care system abuses and deprives qualified veterans from needed medical assistance – all the while spending their taxpayer provided wages – a very sincere f**k off and die to all involved. there is a special place in hell for you. fitting, with the hell you are putting us through now.

  4. patrick d. murphy May 24, 2013 at 18:23

    for the way in which the north texas health care system abuses and deprives qualified veterans from needed medical assistance – all the while spending their taxpayer provided wages – a very sincere fuck off and die to all involved. there is a special place in hell reserved for you. fitting, with the hell you are putting us through now.

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