Even the most wonderful time of the year can be stressful and emotionally complicated. That’s because December is a demanding month for many, and veterans and VA employees are no exception. Fortunately, there is an answer for the holiday blues: self-compassion.   The art of self-compassion is all about being considerate, connecting with others, and adopting an attitude of self-kindness rather than judgment. This kind of mindful awareness is often the best gift we can give

More than 5,600 locations nationwide will participate in this year’s Wreaths Across America on Saturday, December 13. Thousands of Americans will descend on cemeteries throughout the country to assist in the laying of holiday wreaths at the grave markers of the nation’s veterans.  The purpose of Wreaths of America is three-fold: First, to remember individual veterans among the millions who rest in honored glory. Second, to openly honor them by providing volunteer opportunities for those

Immersive Technology is any technology that extends reality or creates a new reality by leveraging the 360-degree space. Because Immersive Technology leverages that sphere, users can look in any direction and see content. VA is embracing Immersive Technology as it transforms how veterans experience care and offers innovative tools that improve access, engagement, and health outcomes.  Some types of Immersive Technology extend reality by overlaying digital images on a user’s environment. Others create a new

On the morning of December 7, 1941, a Sunday morning not unlike this upcoming Sunday, the course of American history changed forever. The Japanese military descended on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, destroying battleships, aircraft, and facilities during the shocking attack 84 years ago that eventually led to the post-war creation of the Blinded Veterans Association and similar organizations that still today serve as advocates for veterans. The events are recalled this