Vets Experience

Discover how nonprofit, Leashes of Valor pairs post-9/11 Veterans with service dogs from shelters, aiding recovery from PTSD, TBI, and other military traumas.

Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday in May, was originally set aside as a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

Take the Military Family Support Programming Survey, a national study providing a comprehensive look into the needs of military-connected families.

Veterans Day 2023 is Saturday, November 11. This Veterans Day discounts list will continue to be updated as we learn of more nationally available Veterans Day discounts, meals or other ways businesses and organizations want to give back to Veterans.

World War I—known at the time as “The Great War”—officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles near the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the way to end all wars.”

This year, Veterans Day ceremonies recognized by VA will be held in 66 communities throughout 34 states and the District of Columbia to honor the nation's veterans.  

Employees and VA facilities were recognized for their exceptional customer experience during the Customer Experience Symposium, Sept. 13-14.

So that young Americans can better understand the commitment and sacrifice of these heroes in securing the blessings of liberty, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Day National Committee are pleased to present the 2023 Veterans Day Teachers Guide as a resource to assist educators in planning lessons and activities around Veterans Day.

The Strong Veterans Act of 2022 requires VA to conduct an annual Buddy Check Week. During the week of Oct. 16 to 20, all Veterans are invited to complete peer wellness, resiliency and S.A.V.E. training with a pledge to talk to 10 Veterans, families and caregivers and/or survivors. VA’s goal is to increase access to VA health and benefits, improve mental health, increase awareness on suicide prevention, decrease isolation and support peer networking.

Defense manufacturing jobs offer a thriving new career path. The ATDM program (Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing) offers not just a solution, but a promising path forward in the transition to civilian life.

Veterans have served with unwavering dedication. The ATDM program offers a new way to continue serving the country with valuable skills needed by the nation’s defense and manufacturing sectors. Consider this valuable opportunity for your next move.

For Veterans who have served our nation with dedication and sacrifice, finding opportunities to relax and rejuvenate is essential. The Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC) is a valuable resource that offers a chance for Veterans to enjoy well-deserved vacations without breaking the bank.

In the vast expanse of the Pacific Islands, a unique event unfolded, uniting Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors in a symphony of support and empowerment. The Pacific Islands Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) event, held in-person and virtually, served as a beacon of unity across the ocean's expanse. In this blog, we embark on a journey through this remarkable event, highlighting its dual format, its impact on the Hawaiian and Guamanian communities, and the heartwarming stories that emerged from Veterans and VA employees alike.