Honoring Vets

This February, while the nation celebrates Black History Month, VA’s Homeless Programs Office (HPO) recognizes that our history of accomplishments preventing and ending homelessness among Veterans is built on the work of trailblazing Black men and women serving this country during war and in peace time. Among these notable individuals is Jesse Brown, a decorated disabled Vietnam Veteran who in 1993 became the first African American Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

We've heard a lot of war stories over the years from the Veterans we've interviewed for the "My Life, My Story" project. But here is a love story on how Veteran Stan met Ginny.

AARP celebrates Black Veterans who served to ensure our freedom by sharing their stories. Read more on Hilda Griggs and Frank Macon.

Just 20 years ago, VA served a little more than 150,000 women Veterans. This was before 9/11, an event that prompted so many American men and women to enlist and defend their country. Today, VA is serving more than 740,000 women Veterans.

Lori Piestewa, a single mother of two, hoped to one day realize her goal of attaining a college degree. But in April 2003, she became the first Native American soldier and the first woman to die in the Iraq War. For this #NNAHM, we honor her service.

This episode of My Life, My Story podcast features Veteran Simon, who shares that not all Veterans' stories are war stories, how work is also his hobby.

The Korean War is often called "the forgotten war," but in this episode of the "My Life, My Story" podcast, we bring you the unforgettable story of Daniel, who was a prisoner of war in Korea for an astonishing 38 months.

He has also written a book of poems, one of which he recited during a recent ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of V.J. Day, the Japanese surrender on Sept. 2, 1945, that ended World War II. Speaking by Zoom to “Friends of the National World War II Memorial,” Levy recognized the significance of that day:

VA's National Cemetery Administration (NCA) launched its new “Find A Veteran, Post A Tribute” campaign. The effort intends to increase awareness of the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) – the nation’s first digital platform dedicated entirely to memorializing more than 3.7 million Veterans interred in VA’s national cemeteries.

This episode of My Life, My Story features Zack, an OEF and OIF Veteran recovering in the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI.

Several national level organizations are hosting 2020 Veterans Day virtual events Nov. 11 due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

National Hispanic Heritage Month honors those who have positively influenced and enriched the U.S. and society. For the Fuentes family, that means celebrating the nine brothers who served in the military. Brothers Alfonso, David, Enrique, Ezequiel, Ismael, Marcos, Richard and Rudy all served in the Marine Corps, while Israel served in the Air Force.