Attention artists: The 2026 National Veterans Day Poster Contest is now open!
Here’s your chance to showcase your creativity and honor America’s Veterans through art. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Day National Committee are now accepting submissions for the 2026 Veterans Day Poster Contest.
Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on April 1, 2026.
This contest is open to everyone—professional and amateur artists alike. Your design should reflect this year’s theme: “Veterans Helping Veterans and Their Families.”
For more information visit VA News Article The 2026 National Veterans Day Poster Contest is now open!
March kicks off with National Nutrition Month
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Did you know March is National Nutrition Month? This annual campaign aims to educate and encourage individuals to:
- Make informed food choices
- Develop balanced eating and exercise habits
- Discover how food impacts overall health.
This year’s theme is...Discover the Power of Nutrition. Here are the top nutrition priorities and tips for Veterans to help feel your best in 2026 through the power of nutrition!
Protect your heart:
Choose lean proteins. Why? Lean proteins are lower in saturated fats and saturated fats can contribute to high cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease.
Examples: lean meats (ie boneless, skinless chicken breast, ground meat at least 90% lean, seafood, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, etc)
Aim for high fiber foods! Did you know a high fiber diet can help reduce cholesterol levels? The standard recommended daily fiber intake is ~28g/day but varies based on gender and age.
Examples of high fiber foods: beans/legumes (ie peas, lentils, navy beans), oats, fruits, vegetables, and chia seeds.
Tip: A good source of fiber is 3 grams or more per serving. A food is considered high in fiber if it has 5 grams or more per serving.
Limit highly processed foods and excess sodium. The majority of sodium consumed in an American diet comes from processed and packaged foods rather than adding salt during cooking or at the table.
Excess sodium intake has a negative impact on heart health by increasing blood pressure and putting excess stress on the heart.
Build and Preserve Muscle:
Consume adequate protein throughout the day. As a general rule of thumb, aim for 20-30 grams of protein at each meal, when having 3 meals/day. Again, strive for leaner protein sources as listed above.
Include strength training at least 2-3x/week, if cleared by your provider
Avoid skipping meals
Stabilize Blood Sugar:
Pair carbohydrates with protein, healthy fats, and fiber as this slows the absorption of carbohydrates, leading to more balanced blood sugars.
Choose complex carbohydrates over simple. Complex carbohydrates contain fiber and take longer to digest, preventing spikes in blood sugar levels. Easy swaps include:
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Instead of:
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Choose:
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Corn flakes
Rice cereals
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Bran Flakes
Shredded Wheat
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White bread
Split top wheat
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100% Whole-Grain Bread
(whole-grain is listed as first ingredient)
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White pasta
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Whole-wheat Pasta
Bean/legume-based Pasta (ie garbanzo, lentil, edamame based)
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Fruit juice
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Whole fruit
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Mashed potato
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Baked or boiled potato/sweet potato with skin
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Chips
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Popcorn
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Women Veteran Virtual Health Focus Group
Women Veterans, join us for a Whole Health Focus Group discussion open to all women Veterans receiving care at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. Participants must be comfortable being on camera, and no compensation is provided. The group is limited to 10 participants who have not previously participated in our focus groups. This in not a support group.
To participate, please contact Gloria Torres Santiago at Gloria.TorresSantiago@va.gov by Wednesday, February 25 to be added to the participant roster.
Fisher House 10 Year Anniversary Car Show and Veteran Resource Fair
We’re thrilled to celebrate a decade of service at the SAVAHCS Fisher House with a Car Show & Resource Fair!
Date: Friday, March 6
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: SAVAHCS Fisher House at 3601 South 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85723
This milestone is a great opportunity to come together, show support, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon.
2026 Tucson Veterans Stand Down
The 2026 Tucson Veterans Stand Down will take place on Tuesday, March 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the GEM Center located at 222 South Freeway, 3234, Tucson AZ 85745 (Located by the Red Lion Inn and Suites Tucson Downtown)
There will be several community and VA resources on hand providing resources and information to Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
The information, resources, or references provided in this section are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Any mention of specific organizations, products, or services should not be interpreted as a VA recommendation or approval. Recipients are encouraged to evaluate all information independently and consult appropriate resources before making decisions.
Adaptive Recreation Clinic
 Veteran with amputation, spinal cord injury, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or other disabilities are invited to join us at the SAVAHCS Sports Park basketball/tennis courts at the Tucson VA Medical Center for a FREE adaptive sports clinic on Wednesday, March 25, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
For more information and to RSVP, please call 520-629-4807.
Tucson Veteran Engagement and Resource Fair
Join us on Friday, March 27 at the El Pueblo Activity Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a Veteran Engagement and Resource Fair located at 101 West Irvington Road, Tucson, AZ 85714. There will be several VA and community resources on hand providing information on resources and services.
VA Resource Navigator
Are you a Veteran but you're not sure where to start with the VA?
Check out the VA Resource Navigator, a short, sweet combination of 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.
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