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Southern Arizona Veterans Health Update for Thursday, July 3, 2025

Dear Veterans,

I and the staff at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System would like to wish you, your families, and caregivers a safe and festive Independence Day!

The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our cherished freedoms and to honor the sacrifices you have made to secure them. The commitment you made to our country’s freedoms are truly inspiring. I hope you enjoy this time with your loved ones, resting, and reflecting on our nation's strength and resilience.

We are honored and humbled to provide you with quality healthcare services at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. 

Sincerely,

Maria T. Nguyen

Interim Director/Interim Chief Executive Officer

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

 Interested in knowing more about the 4^th of July

1. Independence Day: The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when the 13 American colonies declared their independence from British rule.
2. Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson. It articulated the principles of individual liberty and government's responsibility to serve its people.
3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, in what is now known as Independence Hall.
4. Initial Celebrations: The first public readings of the Declaration of Independence were accompanied by bell ringing and band music. Celebrations included bonfires, parades, and fireworks—a tradition that continues to this day.
5. Federal Holiday: In 1870, the U.S. Congress made the 4th of July a federal holiday. It was designated as an unpaid holiday for federal employees, and in 1938, Congress changed it to a paid federal holiday.
6. Fireworks: Fireworks have been part of Independence Day celebrations since the country's earliest years. John Adams envisioned great celebrations with "a parade, shows, games, sports, bells, bonfires, and illuminations." Fireworks displays now are a hallmark of the 4th of July.
7. 1777 Celebration: The first anniversary of Independence Day was celebrated with festivities that included concerts, bonfires, parades, and the firing of cannons and muskets in Philadelphia and Boston.
8. Jefferson and Adams: Coincidentally, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, two of the Founding Fathers and former presidents, died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

A Capitol Fourth 2025

This July 4th, “A Capitol Fourth” celebrates 45 spectacular years as America’s national Independence Day tradition, airing live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. As the nation celebrates America’s 249th birthday, the evening will feature all-star musical and patriotic performances from pop, country, R&B, classical and gospel artists. Joined by the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of premier pops conductor Jack Everly, America’s biggest birthday party features the greatest display of Independence Day fireworks anywhere in the USA, lighting up the iconic D.C. skyline.

A Capitol Fourth airs live Friday, July 4, 2025 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T. on PBS, as well as to our troops serving around the world on American Forces Network. The program will also be streaming on YouTube, at PBS online or at https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/, and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2025.

Your private, personal information—such as your Social Security Number, health records or financial information—is extremely important. Unfortunately, there are identity thieves who are waiting for the chance to steal that information. The good news: VA is here to protect your information and your privacy.

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Privacy Office can be reached at 520-792-1450 extension 1-4347. 

Learn more about how the VA Protects your Privacy.

2025 SAVAHCS Creative Art Competition  

Each year, VA hosts a National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

To apply to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, Veterans must first compete in a local creative arts competition, which takes place on August 12-15, 2025. This competition is open to any Veteran who receives medical care at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. This event offers opportunities for Veterans to share work created in creative writing, visual art, music, dance and drama. 

To participate, please complete the National Creative Arts Competition form and return it to the Tucson VA Creative Arts Therapist Office or to the Center for Development Civic Engagement Office (CDCE) by July 15, 2025. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Creative Arts Therapist, Miranda Blakeslee at (520) 792-1450 extension 1-3747 or email miranda.blakeslee@va.gov.

You can also reach out to the Tucson VA CDCE Office at 520-629-1822. 

Seasonal Allergies

With the weather warming up you may be noticing some seasonal allergies. Allergies happen when the body reacts strongly to something like pollen. Here is what you may expect and how to minimize your symptoms.

 Common Causes of Allergies

• Dust
• Pollen
• Mold
• Animal dander

Symptoms

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itching
• Rash
• Red/watery eyes
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Prevention

• Avoid contact with your known causes of allergies
• Keep home clean by vacuuming
• Keep windows closed during allergy season
• Make sure home air filters are replaced regularly

Treatment

• Apply cold washcloth to eyes
• Shower and put on clean clothes
• Over the counter medications
  • Oral: fexofenadine, loratadine, or cetirizine
  • Nose spray: fluticasone, triamcinolone, or saline spray
  • Eye drops: olopatadine, ketotifen, naphazoline/pheniramine

• Make sure to read the label for how to best take the medication
• Ask a pharmacist if over the counter medications interact with other medications you take
• If symptoms are not better with prevention and over the counter medications, you may want to seek further care by scheduling an appointment with your doctor

Tucson VA Virtual Health Resource Center Closure- July 11-12

The Tucson VA Virtual Health Resource Center will be closed for walk-in assistance on Thursday-Friday, July 10-11 and will re-open on Monday, July 14.

Veterans can still contact the VHRC at TucsonVHRC@va.gov or phone (520) 629-1713.

 If you need assistance with your Login.gov credential, call (844) 875-6446.

If you need assistance with your ID.me credential, please visit the ID.me Help Center or call the National My HealtheVet Help Desk at (877) 327-0022, select Option 1, and then Option 1 again to be connected to the ID.me help desk line. 

VA Resource Navigator 

Are you a Veteran but you're not sure where to start with the VA?

Check out the new 2025 VA Resource Navigator, a short, sweet combination of all the most valuable resources to get you started on your way to VA benefits and health care.

VA is here for you

1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is always the right number.