U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CMV – News Update

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on June 4, 2024, it will host the second annual PACT Act Summer VetFest — featuring more than 100 Summer VetFest events in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico — to encourage Veterans and survivors to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned under the PACT Act. These events will take place from June through August of this year. These events will be casual, family-friendly gatherings featuring Veterans and their families, Veteran advocates, and the VA health care and benefits professionals who serve them. At the events, VA staff will be ready to help Veterans apply for PACT Act-related benefits (or complete a previous intent to file), enroll in VA health care, get screened for toxic exposures, and more. [From VA News]

Beginning on June 3, 2024, and lasting all month, VA’s Office of Resolution Management, Diversity, and Inclusion invites all employees, military-connected community partners and Veterans to join us in the celebration of PRIDE month by attending the 4th annual VA National Virtual PRIDE 2024. The event is a great way for the community to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community, as well as medical advances, services and benefits offered by VA, legal issues, and other relevant topics. VA has adopted the slogan, “Pride Counts at VA,” and this year’s VA National Virtual Pride theme of “Limitless. Overcome. Visible. Empowered.” takes that slogan a step further by providing trainings and presentations on LGBTQ+ diversity, adversity and the relentless spirit of the LGBTQ+ community to fight for equality. [From VA News]

It’s never too late for a new beginning. Just ask Navy Veteran Walter Johnson Jr., who successfully emerged from decades of substance addiction and homelessness to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in his 70s. He now works for VA, transporting patients, picking up labs and serving as a unit peer leader who provides important hope and inspiration. “I see angry Veterans every day and I want to be the person that puts a smile on their face or gives them some peace. I’m doing something I love to do. All I want to do is help Veterans, lead them and guide them where they need to go,” Johnson said. [From VA News]

It has been over 12 years since the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), allowing LGBTQ+ men and women to serve the country they love openly: living out, living proud and paving the way for the inclusion of all LGBTQ+ service members in the United States military. Under the former DADT policy (1994-2001), service members should not have faced questioning about their sexual orientation, and revealing it would lead to discharge. Navy Veteran Asher Honish, assistant chief for the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service at the Palo Alto Health Care System and newly elected President of PrideVA, shares his perspective of the life-altering effects of DADT. [From VA News]