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At 83 years old US Army Veteran Al Fenton is the oldest participant in the 31st Annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic(NDVWSC) held in Snowmass, CO. He is proof that "the more active you are the better health you will be in". #wintersportsclinic

United States and Korean Veterans joined together at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the armistice that brought a cease fire to the conflict.

Korean War Veteran Tom W. Stevens reads an excerpt from poet Sam Fielder's "The Forgotten War".

Read more at http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/39938...

This episode of VA’s The American Veteran features stories about: a disabled Navy Veteran who learned to ski at the age of 63; how one Veteran used the GI Bill and other VA’s services to turn his life around; an Army Veteran’s reflection on the Battle of Khe Sanh – a battle for which he received the Medal of Honor; and the Veterans Legacy Program, a project by VA’s National Cemetery Administration to remember and honor those buried in our national cemeteries.

PRODUCTION BY:
VA Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
Digital Media Engagement
Defense Media Activity
Doug Rogers
Phillip Elgie
Tim Hudak
Jessica Schiefer
Bryce Carpenter
Grant Stoltz
Jill Atwood
Kerry Buck
Jen Dikes
Karen Varga
Paul Hernandez
Mike Baker
Anastasia Tompkins
Ramon "Boty" Garcia
Jordan Schupbach
Mike Molina


SPECIAL THANKS:
To you, the American Veteran
Defense Media Activity
Bobby Bleir
Jerry Billings
TJ Fryman
Danielle Whelton
University of Central Florida
VA Office of National Veterans Sports
VHA Media Development Network

This episode features stories on a Marine Veteran's journal to recovery through the martial arts, a scholarship program for the children of those killed in action, a look at the newly expanded Veteran's Crisis Line call center in Atlanta, an interview with a Medal of Honor recipient who fought at Iwo Jima and a look at the power of adaptive sports. The episode also features a sit-down interview with VA's new secretary, Dr. David Shulkin.

Read more at VAntage Point: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/36005...


PRODUCTION BY:
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
Digital Media Engagement
Defense Media Activity
Doug Rogers
Gail McCabe
Chris Bodily
Jordan Schupbach
Jen Dikes
Mike Baker
Will Mosely
Grant Stoltz
Anastasia Tompkins
Donna Austin
Mike Molina
Ben Slane

SPECIAL THANKS:
To you, the American Veteran
Defense Media Activity
Bobby Bleir
Jerry Billings
TJ Fryman
Danielle Whelton
Brent Casey
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Veterans Crisis Line
Atos West Chester
Victor J. Saracini Community Based Outpatient Clinic
VA Office of Media Relations
VA Employee Education System
VA Office of National Veterans Sports
VHA Media Development Network

Nearly 800 Veterans ages 55 and older joined volunteers and rehabilitative professionals from across the country for the 31st National Veterans Golden Age Games, May 7-11 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

This annual competition organized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and supported by national sponsor Veterans Canteen Service, is the only national multi-event sports and recreational senior competition aimed at improving the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.

Since 2004, the National Veterans Golden Age Games have served as a qualifier for competition in the National Senior Games, held every other year.

“At VA, we encourage Veterans to lead active, healthy lives, and recognize that sports, recreation and activity — in particular for our senior Veterans — are an integral part of any successful health and wellness program,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “These games are a great example of Veterans staying fit and enjoying friendly competition at the same time.”

At the games, Veteran athletes competed in 14 events, such as cycling, field events and swimming, and several exhibition events, including basketball. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/gag/ and follow VA Adaptive Sports on Twitter at @VAAdaptiveSport, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vaadaptivesports.

George Edmund Brown, from Liverpool, England, was assigned to First King’s Regiment and was wounded in action in Korea in 1953.
Last week, he met VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin, who presented him with a challenge coin. Brown shared his thanks for American Korean War Veterans.

“They came in and picked me up with a helicopter, the Americans did . . . and took me to the M*A*S*H* hospital. . . . They saved my legs. They basically, I suppose, saved my life, in that respect. But I’ve always had this feeling that I would have liked to have thanked the Americans who treated me. I [saw] Secretary Shulkin this morning, and I thanked him, and he gave me a medal. . . . Not bad. A fair exchange after all them years."

Navy Veteran , Raquel Ardin is living again thanks to VA and Adaptive Sports. She’s graduated from a bucket to an upright ski this year. Her smile and attitude are infectious. #wintersportsclinic

Our Pearl Harbor survivors reflect on the Pearl Harbor attacks, the war, and what it all means.

Most people who work with Veterans have heard them talk about the importance of their attachment to their pets, and many of us have had Veterans identify their connection to their pet as their primary reason for living.
Read more at http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/34737...

Millions of Veterans and their family members are successfully using VA benefits to buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and do so much more in life after the military. Here's how to navigate explore.va.gov to learn how Veterans have gone from service to success.

“The one thing I believe in is Veterans taking care of Veterans. Whether you were in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines – we’re all still Veterans.” –Jimmie Hargrave, cemetery foreman, Baltimore National Cemetery, and U.S. Army Veteran

To learn more about Baltimore National Cemetery, click here: https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/balt...

Learn more about the National Cemetery Administration: https://www.cem.va.gov/

(Videos produced by servicemember students from the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Maryland, in collaboration with the National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. March 2017)

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Donald Butler. Donald served during the Korean War.

Donald was drafted in 1952 and volunteered to serve in Korea. He arrived in Korea on Easter Sunday in 1953 as a member of 95th Chemical Service Company.

Donald served as a truck driver. He hauled cargo containing chemicals, grenades, incendiary grenades and flame throwers. Donald’s job included loading the truck and driving it the port where it was loaded onto ships to be taken to the North.

Donald reminisces on his service as a period of both good and sad times, but it remains, for the most part, a very fond memory for him. He says it was a memorable time and he is very proud that he served.

Thank you for your service, Donald!

A Marine Veteran recalls meeting President after the end of World War II. WWII Veteran Al Wallace shared his story recently while visiting D.C. with Honor Flight KC from Kansas City.

“The mission of the National Cemetery Administration is to provide final resting places for their families that commemorate the service and sacrifice of our Veterans,
said Ron Walters, Acting Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. “No place is the price of freedom more evident than in a VA national cemetery.”

Learn more about the National Cemetery Administration: https://www.cem.va.gov/

(Videos produced by servicemember students from the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Maryland, in collaboration with the National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. March 2017)

Through VA and its range of community partners, homeless Veterans are housed and then given access to the specific resources they need to stay housed so that they can achieve their full potential.

Read more at http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/38991...

Honorees at the HillVets 100 Gala in Washington D.C. comment on being honored, the significance of the event, and how it benefits the Veteran community.

Marine Corps Veteran, Johnny Baylark Jr. explains the importance of keeping yourself motivated, trying new things, and experiencing the excitement of participating in adaptive sports. #wintersportsclinic

Veterans from across the country participated in the 37th National Veterans Wheelchair Games July 16 - July 22 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Veterans competed in a variety of adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball, quad rugby, archery, track and field, swimming, softball, slalom, nine ball and boccia.

Be sure to watch in HD!

Following our video from yesterday, our four Pearl Harbor survivors continue telling their stories. Listen as they share their actions of bravery, pain, confusion, and awe.