U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CMV - News Update

Rhythm challenged? Don’t worry, not all movement to music is dancing. Music moves people – in more ways than one. It makes people forget the actual work in a workout and leads to increased exercise enjoyment. [From VAntage Point]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Nikki Taylor, who served as a dental technician and now works as a healthcare advocate for Veterans. Nikki Taylor, whose parents both served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy, grew up in the Veteran community. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Nikki!

Food pantries are cropping up at various VA medical centers across the country. VA providers screen patients during clinical assessments for signs of food insecurity. If Veterans are in need, food pantries supply them with a week’s worth of groceries before they leave the medical center. [From VAntage Point]

Practicing yoga in a class is an excellent self-care practice, but sometimes it just isn’t possible to grab a mat and head to a studio. Yoga teacher and Whole Health Coach, Katherine Hillgren, from the St. Louis VA Medical Center, suggests that a home practice, like chair yoga, is a suitable replacement in a pinch. [From VAntage Point]

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted our nation’s small businesses, including the 2.5 million Veteran-owned small businesses across the country. To assist these Veteran entrepreneurs, VA’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) teamed up with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) for a three-part webinar series to discuss COVID-19 disaster relief options. [From VAntage Point]

I want to acknowledge the very difficult time we find ourselves in as a nation. And today I want to express my profound love for America and the Veterans who fought in uniform to fulfill the promises of our founders for every American. [From VAntage Point]

During periods of stress, the human body goes through a lot of changes. The body will release stress hormones, increase its heart rate and pump harder with a stronger contraction, rise its blood pressure, and slow digestion. [From VAntage Point]

All across the country, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have been performing flyovers to honor the workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the team's newest members is a Howard University graduate and the first black, female officer. [From NBC Washington]

Gen. Charles Q. Brown will become the first black service member to lead an American military branch after lawmakers on Tuesday voted to make him the Air Force’s 22nd chief of staff. Brown, who is currently the commander of Pacific Air Forces, was confirmed for the post in an unanimous 98-0 vote. [From Defense News]