Memorial Day Ceremonies Online, Leave a Tribute to Your Loved One, 20 VA Facilities to Expand Select Services

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VA Podcast: Navy Veteran and VA TedTalkX organizer Taylor Prince
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Instagram: Poplar Bluff, MO VAMC hosts "Honks for Hugs" to honor Veterans

Moving Forward

20 VA Facilities to Expand Select Services

Your Safety remains our top priority as we begin to expand certain services. Because the safety of our Veterans and staff is paramount, VA facilities may not expand to a full spectrum of care immediately. In reintroducing services, VA facilities will consider unique circumstances of their state and local markets, environmental safety preparedness, and clinical risk assessments. Based on these considerations, 20 facilities will be the first to reintroduce select services. Veterans should contact their Care Team for information about the expansion of services before going to their facility. 

If you have a health emergency – COVID-19 or other concern – call 911 or contact your local VA. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 1-800-273-8255 (press 1).

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Memorial Day 2020

Memorial Day 2020

Each VA national cemetery will conduct a brief wreath laying ceremony, accompanied by a moment of silence and the playing of Taps. In keeping with CDC guidelines to limit large gatherings, the ceremonies will not be open to the public.

VA invites you to participate in these ceremonies virtually. Live stream links and videos of Memorial Day 2020 Ceremonies at VA National Cemeteries from across the country will be posted here as they appear on May 25.

LIVE STREAM 

Leave a tribute on Veterans Legacy Memorial Website

The Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website is the nation’s first digital platform dedicated entirely to the memory of the 3.7 million Veterans interred in VA national cemeteries. We invite family, friends, and visitors to leave tributes or comments on Veteran’s memorial pages.

FIND YOUR LOVED ONE

Questions on VA Burial Benefits?

The VA Burial and Memorial Products Quick Start Guide (QSG) provides clear and concise information on VA burial benefits for Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.

DOWNLOAD

Questions on Survivor or Dependent resources?

The Department of Veterans Affairs and  community partners TAPS, American Gold Star Mothers, AAFMAA, Wounded Warrior Project, & Travis Manion Foundation, American Red Cross, and Gold Star Wives of America have answered questions on RallyPoint.

SURVIVORS TOGETHER


Mortgage and housing assistance during the coronavirus national emergency


Support a Veteran This Mental Health Month

Mental Health

Let the Veterans in your life know you care about their well-being. Whether you’re looking for ways to start the conversation about getting support or seeking advice to keep a loved one encouraged during their mental health journey, learn how you can help.

GET STARTED


All VA national cemeteries to commemorate Memorial Day, ceremonies not open to public.


Student Veteran Virtual Graduation

SVA

Student Veterans of America (SVA) will be streaming a graduation ceremony for the hundred thousand Veterans graduating this year, as well as their families and friends on June 12, 2020 at 6 p.m. ET. Sign up to RSVP.

Student Veterans - sign up to be recognized! Share your stories.

SIGN UP


VA employee empowers her women Veteran peers

Women Veterans

VA’s Center for Women Veterans is advancing a cultural transformation throughout VA and aims to serve as a portal – monitoring and coordinating VA’s benefit services, outreach and programs – for women Veterans. One advocate is Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado, a VBA employee and Army National Guard Veteran, who empowers other women Veterans with her mantra, “I can, I will… watch me.”

LEARN MORE 


Join Carry The Load's first virtual National relay with VA to Honor Fallen Heroes


New VA coronavirus chatbot available

COVID Chatbot

The just released VA coronavirus chatbot is available 24/7 to quickly triage COVID-19 symptoms and answer your questions on testing options, stimulus payments and telehealth, and  even how to reschedule VA appointments.

“At VA, our number one priority is delivering excellent customer service to our Veterans,” said Charles Worthington, VA's chief technology officer. “It has been incredible to see VA staff from across the agency come together and deliver creative solutions. This product is a great example of VA’s commitment to using new technologies to improve our services.”

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Borne the Battle: Navy Veteran, TEDx Veterans Affairs Organizer Prince Taylor

Prince Taylor

Navy Veteran Prince Taylor believes that military service develops perseverance and discipline—traits that are useful for Veterans even after they the military.

But transitioning out of the Navy wasn’t easy for Taylor. This week’s episode of Borne the Battle is a discussion with Taylor about his journey from multiple entry level jobs into dead-end companies, into VA’s human resources system, to organizing TEDx Veterans Affairs.

LEARN MORE

LISTEN



May Events

  • May 21, 4 p.m. ET - Virginia Veterans: Under Secretary for Benefits hosts tele-town hall RSVP
  • May 25 - Wear Blue Virtual Run to Remember with Team RWB -SIGN UP
  • May 27, 4 p.m. ET - North Carolina Veterans: Under Secretary for Benefits hosts tele-town hall RSVP
  • May 28, 1 p.m. ET - Lunch N Learn: Memorial Affairs Overview and Spiritual Resilience (VA Chaplain Service Resources) JOIN
  • May 28, 2 p.m. ET - Promoting Veteran Mental Health with VA, Boulder Crest Institute, and Cohen Veterans Network JOIN Audio: 1-800-767-1750, access code 52655#

This Mental Health Month, explore resources for Veterans.


National Resource Directory

VAntage Point

VA News Releases

VA Welcome Kit

Find a VA Facility near you.

 FACILITY LOCATOR

Not sure where to start?

 VA WELCOME KIT

 


No Veteran Should Be Without a Place to Call Home

Free Help for Homeless Veterans Dial 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) for 24/7 access VA’s services for homeless and at-risk Veterans

Homeless Veteran Chat Confidential, 24/7 online support for homeless Veterans and friends

https://www.va.gov/homeless for more information


Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? 

Did you know that VA offers same day services in Primary Care and Mental Health at 172 VA Medical Centers across the country? Make the Connection Resource Locator

Contact the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255.)


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