Ask anyone who has tried to establish a presence on Twitter and they will shudder as they explain how difficult it is to build a following, to get retweets and likes. VA began building an audience in September 2009 and our online followers have grown steadily to more than 265,000. This year alone the stories, photos and news we’ve shared via the @DeptVetAffairs Twitter account have made nearly one billion impressions. Yes, billion!

Here are the year’s top 11 posts in terms of audience reach from Twitter.

 

 

A photo posted by CBS News (@cbsnews) on


 

 

CBS News graciously allowed VA to take over their Instagram page for Veterans Day 2015. Another big “Thank You” to CBS!
Reach: 4.3 million

 

Army Veteran and inspiration, Noah Galloway, defied the odds and demonstrated that the right attitude can conquer any problem as he danced his way into the hearts of Americans on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Reach: 3.5 million

Dr. Terrance M. Keane of VA Boston Healthcare System was recognized as a world leader in the field of traumatic stress.
Reach: 3.4 million

This year the Elks pledged $4 million to help end Veteran homelessness and called on their more than 800,000 members to support the efforts of VA and communities around the country.
Reach: 3.3 million

America showed its support for its Veterans by sharing and participating in Veterans Day events across the country.
Reach: 3 million

VA Secretary Bob McDonald toured the historic Rossyln Hotel Apartments during a visit to Los Angeles. In this photo, he discusses with Bobby Shriver how the building is being used to help house homeless Veterans.
Reach: 2.5 million

The nation came together like it has every year for more than 70 years to remember “…the day which will live in infamy.”
Reach: 2.4 million

World War II Veterans gather at their memorial in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the end of the war that would define “America’s Greatest Generation.”
Reach: 2.1 million

In early 2015, VA announced it would begin hiring more than 19,000 doctors, nurses and other personnel to bolster services for Veterans.
Reach: 2 million

On May 30, 2015, U.S. Army Maj. Joseph “Beau” Biden III lost his battle with brain cancer. He was honored as VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay.
Reach: 2 million

It was our nation’s Veterans who took center stage on Nov. 11, 2015. We celebrated the Veterans who are still with us today and honored their courage and bravery.
Reach: 2 million

On behalf of VA, we would like to usher in 2016 with a big thank you to all who have made 2015 a banner year for our digital media team. We still have a lot of work to do, but we appreciate you helping us share so many stories and highlighting the Veterans, employees and community members who are working diligently to serve Veterans.

Happy New Year!

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2 Comments

  1. MSGT LEROY G FOSTER USAF.RET January 8, 2016 at 14:12

    The VA POLICY IS DENY, DENY, DENY TILL YOU DIE. DELAYED CARE, MISDIAGNOSED CARE, DELAYED APPEALS, DENIED CARE AND FINALLY NO JUSTICE FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND. THE VA FIRMLY IN CONTROL TO KILL US WAVING THE FLAG IN VICTORY.

  2. Irwin Cecil French January 2, 2016 at 20:34

    What is new this year for VETS.? How many loop holes will we jump through this year? We all know something is going to get harder for us. We have all been told about this choice card, but how many is using it. I guess its all about who you know and who you blow. I guess VA will be spending billions on toe tags, we all know that va is only looking out for them selfs. When VA denies a claim for a broken neck, and refuses to help you…VA you do not know us……

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