Blinded Veterans Day - March 28

Veterans Health Administration sent this bulletin at 03/22/2022 02:00 PM EDT
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Veterans Health Administration Update:
 
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 BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Serving Blinded Veterans Since World War II

 

National Veterans Organization Commemorates

77 Years of Service

 

Governors and mayors across America have joined together in proclaiming March 28 as Blinded Veterans Day. They have recognized members of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) for effective role modeling, demonstrating to all veterans with vision impairments how to take their rightful place in the community and create a world built upon equality. BVA continues to advocate for veterans with combat-related, accidental, or age-related vision impairments to regain independence, confidence, and self-esteem through rehabilitation, training, and assistance to their fellow veterans.

BVA was established on March 28, 1945 at Avon “Old Farms” Army Convalescent Hospital in Connecticut by approximately 100 blinded or visually impaired veterans. The veterans were as they recovered from combat-related injuries in World War II and learned how to adjust to life without sight. In 1946, General Omar Bradley, at the time the Veterans Affairs (VA) Administrator, appointed BVA as the official representative of blinded veterans for the filing of claims and appeals. In 1958, Congress approved a Congressional Charter recognizing BVA as the only Veteran Service Organization designated exclusively to represent America’s blinded veterans. In 2010, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 28 as National “BLINDED VETERANS DAY” and recognized BVA for its service to blinded veterans and their families.

Many Americans recognize March 28 of each year as Blinded Veterans Day and support the goals and ideals of BVA and its many affiliated regional groups throughout the country in improving blind rehabilitation services, education, and benefits for blinded veterans of the United States Armed Forces. BVA is there for those who have served their country and have lost all or some of their vision due to combat, illness, or other nonservice-connected factors.

For more information about BVA, visit https://bva.org or call 1-800-669-7079.