• How to Help Vets After Veterans Day

    Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran; Special Assistant in VA's Office of Congressional & Legislative Affairs

    Don’t just thank me for my service, do something. There are myriad things anyone can do to thank me and those like me for our service without uttering the oft used and often empty, “Thank you for your service.”

  • In Defense of VA

    U.S. Army Veteran

    It seems as if every time something goes wrong at VA, I hear all about it. Improperly sterilized equipment that might have exposed Veterans to disease, leads to massive media coverage, uproar among veterans, members of Congress calling for hearings. Would the same problem at a civilian facility have gotten the same media coverage? I strongly doubt it.

  • What Does it Mean to be a Veteran?

    Veterans Health Administration HR Specialist and Veteran

    You see, Veterans are an extremely prideful group of individuals who served our great nation in both times of war and peace. So, what does it mean to be a Veteran?

  • Making Research Inroads on COPD

    Research Biologist

    Five years ago, I began researching a disease that I’d never even heard of before: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Imagine my surprise when I found out that it was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

  • Blue Button for All Americans Contest Winner Announced–So What?

    Special Assistant to the VA Chief Technology Officer

    The Blue Button allows Veterans to access and download their information into a very simple text file (or an enhanced PDF) that can be read, printed, or saved on any computer.

  • The Quiet Warrior from Birdtown: Charles George

    My HealtheVet Coordinator

    Charles George, a full-blooded Cherokee and member of the Bird Clan, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions on November 30, 1952.

  • The Definition of a Veteran

    U.S. Navy Veteran

    There are very few words that catch me quite like “Veteran.” It’s such a short word, but in today’s world, it means so much and identifies a person in just seven letters.

  • That’s a Wrap: The 2011 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

    Public Affairs Officer, Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks

    It has been an incredible week here in Northwest Arkansas as we conclude the 2011 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. As in years past, the Festival was nothing short of amazing.

  • VA Partners with Alaska Native Community

    Tribal Government Relations Specialist for the Western Region

    I recently had the opportunity to witness first-hand the close partnering that is occurring between VA and Alaska Natives—On September 29, VA Alaska Healthcare System and the Ketchikan Indian Community Tribal Health Clinic signed the first Memorandum of Understanding.

  • Active Duty Doesn’t Mean Inactive Student

    Director of Military Initiatives at Southern New Hampshire University

    When you ask a recent Veteran about their education plans, they often respond in the future tense. For a variety of reasons, many defer their education goals to some point in the future, when they can better balance the demands of family, career, and school, and take advantage of more generous benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

  • National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

    U.S. Army Veteran

    The Creative Arts Festival will be taking place October 17-23 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Over 120 Veterans will exhibit their artwork or perform musical, dance, dramatic, or original writing selections. Visit the National Creative Arts Festival website to for daily videos and photographs.

  • A Veteran’s Blueprint for College

    U.S. Army and Iraq Veteran

    Starting school, it’s important to understand that getting an education is a long and grueling process. I spent as much time in school as I did in the Army. This post chronicles that journey and might act as a light blueprint for a veteran looking to go to school.