(VA) Memorial Day Ceremonies Online, Leave a Tribute to Your Loved One, 20 VA Facilities to Expand Select Services

Survivor and Dependent Resources

#VetResources - for Veterans, their Families, Caregivers and Survivors SIGN UP | VIEW/SHARE VA coronavirus updates | chatbot | app VA Podcast: Navy Veteran and VA TedTalkX organizer Taylor Prince VNN: Watch VA's Veteran News Network streaming 24/7 Instagram: Poplar Bluff, MO VAMC hosts "Honks for Hugs" to honor Veterans 20 VA Facilities to Expand Select Services Your Safety remains our top priority as we begin to expand certain services. Because the safety of our Veterans and staff is paramount, VA facilities may not expand to a full spectrum of care immediately. In reintroducing services, VA facilities will consider unique circumstances of their state and local markets, environmental safety preparedness, and clinical risk assessments. Based on these considerations, 20 facilities will be the first to reintroduce select services. Veterans should contact their Care Team for information about the expansion of services before going to their facility.  If you have a health emergency – COVID-19 or other concern – call 911 or contact your local VA. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 1-800-273-8255 (press 1). LEARN MORE Memorial Day 2020 Each VA national cemetery will conduct a brief wreath laying ceremony, accompanied by a moment of silence and the playing of Taps. In keeping with CDC guidelines to limit large gatherings, the ceremonies will not be open to the public. VA invites you to participate in these ceremonies virtually. Live stream links and videos of Memorial Day 2020 Ceremonies at VA National Cemeteries from across the country will be posted here as they appear on May 25. LIVE STREAM  Leave a tribute on Veterans Legacy Memorial Website The Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website is the nation's first digital platform dedicated entirely to the memory of the 3.7 million Veterans interred in VA national cemeteries. We invite family, friends, and visitors to leave tributes or comments on Veteran's memorial pages. FIND YOUR LOVED ONE Questions on VA Burial Benefits? The VA Burial and Memorial Products Quick Start Guide (QSG) provides clear and concise information on VA burial benefits for Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. DOWNLOAD Questions on Survivor or Dependent resources? The Department of Veterans Affairs and  community partners TAPS, American Gold Star Mothers, AAFMAA, Wounded Warrior Project, & Travis Manion Foundation, American Red Cross, and Gold Star Wives of America have answered questions on RallyPoint. SURVIVORS TOGETHER Mortgage and housing assistance during the coronavirus national emergency Support a Veteran This Mental Health Month Let the Veterans in your life know you care about their well-being. Whether you're looking for ways to start the conversation about getting support or seeking advice to keep a loved one encouraged during their mental health journey, learn how you can help. GET STARTED All VA national cemeteries to commemorate Memorial Day, ceremonies not open to public. Student Veteran Virtual Graduation Student Veterans of America (SVA) will be streaming a graduation ceremony for the hundred thousand Veterans graduating this year, as well as their families and friends on June 12, 2020 at 6 p.m. ET. Sign up to RSVP. Student Veterans - sign up to be recognized! Share your stories. SIGN UP VA employee empowers her women Veteran peers VA's Center for Women Veterans is advancing a cultural transformation throughout VA and aims to serve as a portal – monitoring and coordinating VA's benefit services, outreach and programs – for women Veterans. One advocate is Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado, a VBA employee and Army National Guard Veteran, who empowers other women Veterans with her mantra, "I can, I will… watch me." LEARN MORE  Join Carry The Load's first virtual National relay with VA to Honor Fallen Heroes New VA coronavirus chatbot available The just released VA coronavirus chatbot is available 24/7 to quickly triage COVID-19 symptoms and answer your questions on testing options, stimulus payments and telehealth, and  even how to reschedule VA appointments. "At VA, our number one priority is delivering excellent customer service to our Veterans," said Charles Worthington, VA's chief technology officer. "It has been incredible to see VA staff from across the agency come together and deliver creative solutions. This product is a great example of VA's commitment to using new technologies to improve our services." LEARN MORE Borne the Battle: Navy Veteran, TEDx Veterans Affairs Organizer Prince Taylor Navy Veteran Prince Taylor believes that military service develops perseverance and discipline—traits that are useful for Veterans even after they the military. But transitioning out of the Navy wasn't easy for Taylor. This week's episode of Borne the Battle is a discussion with Taylor about his journey from multiple entry level jobs into dead-end companies, into VA's human resources system, to organizing TEDx Veterans Affairs. LEARN MORE LISTEN Fighting 2020 Census Rumors. This is your source for facts about the 2020 Census. May Events May 21, 4 p.m. ET - Virginia Veterans: Under Secretary for Benefits hosts tele-town hall RSVP May 25 - Wear Blue Virtual Run to Remember with Team RWB -SIGN UP May 27, 4 p.m. ET - North Carolina Veterans: Under Secretary for Benefits hosts tele-town hall RSVP May 28, 1 p.m. ET - Lunch N Learn: Memorial Affairs Overview and Spiritual Resilience (VA Chaplain Service Resources) JOIN May 28, 2 p.m. ET - Promoting Veteran Mental Health with VA, Boulder Crest Institute, and Cohen Veterans Network JOIN Audio: 1-800-767-1750, access code 52655# This Mental Health Month, explore resources for Veterans. VAntage Point CARES Act Extends VA Home Loan Pre-Foreclosure Options VA's Telestroke Program saving Veterans' lives Honor VA's history of research careers during Mental Health Month Get anytime access to mental health support with mobile apps 2020 National VA Research Week: `Empowering Veterans Through Research' AAPI Veterans honored through Congressional Gold Medals Use these tips to reduce food waste Live Whole Health Self-Care Series #16 – Visualization: Imagining a Vacation Live Whole Health: Self-care episode #17 – Mindful Breathing Live Whole Health: Self-care episode #18 – Taking Time to Pause Alcohol Awareness: Risks and resources for women Veterans Birmingham VA garners "Age-Friendly Health System" recognition Now more than ever: A week to honor VA nurses Celebrating the superpowers of military spouses VA celebrates nurses during National Nurses Week 2020 VA News Releases VA gets boost from CARES Act to provide emergency assistance to Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness during COVID-19 crisis Department of Veterans Affairs Announces Process for Charting the Course - Agency Plan on Returning to Pre-COVID-19 Operations VA and Parkinson's Foundation partner to help Veterans living with Parkinson's disease VA kicks off online campaign emphasizing mental health support VA initiatives grab recognition for leadership, management and contribution to science VA releases new COVID Coach mobile app VA accepts mask donation from South Korea to assist with COVID-19 efforts Find a VA Facility near you.  FACILITY LOCATOR Not sure where to start?  VA WELCOME KIT   No Veteran Should Be Without a Place to Call Home Free Help for Homeless Veterans Dial 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) for 24/7 access VA's services for homeless and at-risk Veterans Homeless Veteran Chat Confidential, 24/7 online support for homeless Veterans and friends https://www.va.gov/homeless for more information Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?  Did you know that VA offers same day services in Primary Care and Mental Health at 172 VA Medical Centers across the country? Make the Connection Resource Locator Contact the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255.)