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

For Veterans who would like guidance for staying safe or managing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, Annie can help. Annie is VA’s automated text messaging program that sends health information and self-care reminders. Any cell phone with texting capabilities can receive Annie messages. [From VAntage Point]

Executive Vice President Dawn Kelly-Wall announces that Sean P. Jensen, President of Polu Kai Services, LLC was named to the Washington Business Journal's Veterans in Business list of honorees for 2020. The list of award winners, which was announced Friday by the Washington Business Journal, showcases Veteran business owners who are making a difference to Veterans in the workplace, and the community with their philanthropic and volunteer spirit to giving back to those who served. [From Inside NOVA]

When’s the last time you read or listened to a poem? Many of us gave up poetry in middle school after we memorized and recited that a poem for English class. But, you don’t have to be a poet or a dreamer to enjoy how the written word transports us to a more peaceful place. [From VAntage Point]

Anticipating a pleasant experience can increase our overall enjoyment of an activity. In the chronic pain classes I taught at VA, we discussed the importance of scheduling activities we enjoy. There are several reasons why scheduling time to do things you enjoy is important, and one of these is what happens to our bodies when we look forward to something. [From VAntage Point]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Michael P. Flores, who served as a pararescueman and was killed in action in Afghanistan June 9, 2010. Michael Flores graduated from John Marshall High School in San Antonio, Texas, in 1997 and immediately enlisted in the Air Force. [From VAntage Point]

We honor his service.

Miracles happen. Just ask Navy Veteran Jamal Thomas, 39, who came to the Emergency Department at the Baltimore VA Medical Center with flu-like symptoms. Thomas never expected to be diagnosed with coronavirus, but within a short time of his arrival to the facility, he quickly became extremely sick. [From VAntage Point]

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper announced an ambitious and sweeping internal review Thursday aimed at improving diversity and "ensuring equal opportunity across all ranks" of the US military. Esper made the announcement in a video message to the Department of Defense, outlining two new boards he will establish to address diversity and inclusiveness across the department and pledging that "this issue will have my personal time and attention every step of the way." [From CNN]

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston, the highest ranking enlisted member of the U.S. Army, discusses his upbringing in Alabama and why he sometimes felt, being biracial, he was "not black enough for black people." [From The Washington Post]

The Air Force is about to start surveying airmen about race and their experiences in the service as part of a broader review of racial equality, opportunities and injustice. In a release Monday, the Air Force said airmen and space professionals — including officers, enlisted and civilians — will receive an email survey in the next few days that will allow them to respond anonymously. [From Air Force Times]