Welcome to the Veterans’ Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• House lawmakers advance a $453 billion VA budget for FY2026, sparking debate over community care expansion, abortion service restrictions, and potential privatization concerns.

• The VA is offering $42 million in grants to support legal services for homeless and at-risk Veterans. Applications are due by July 7.

• Bridge My Return helps Veterans, spouses, and caregivers turn military experience into civilian job matches using AI-powered tools and auto-generated résumés.

• The VA Health and Benefits app will soon include mobile check-in, lab results, travel pay requests, and expanded appointment options as part of ongoing tech modernization.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

House Advances $453 Billion VA Budget Amid Partisan Debate Over Privatization and Program Cuts

House Republicans have advanced a record-setting $453 billion fiscal 2026 budget plan for the VA, despite heated opposition from Democrats concerned about the bill’s implications for VA staffing, abortion access, and privatization of care. 

While the budget includes an $83 billion increase over the previous year, primarily in mandatory health care and benefits spending, it also boosts discretionary funding by just 4%, falling about $1 billion short of the White House’s request. The measure now heads to the full House for consideration.

The bill also includes $34 billion for community care, a 55% increase, which Democrats argue shifts too much emphasis away from VA medical centers and into private-sector care. Republican lawmakers defended the proposal as fulfilling their duty to support Veterans, citing investments in homelessness prevention, women’s health, and mental health care. 

Amendments to protect VA abortion services, minority programs, and staffing levels were blocked, except one provision preserving the Veterans Crisis Line workforce. The full budget will require House and Senate negotiations before the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

VA Offers $42 Million in Grants to Support Legal Services for Homeless and At-Risk Veterans

The VA has announced $42 million in available grant funding through its Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program. The program supports organizations that help homeless Veterans or those at risk of homelessness. Eligible groups can apply for up to $500,000 to fund services over two years beginning October 1, 2025. Applications are due by 4 p.m. ET on July 7.

These grants are designed to provide Veterans with legal representation in critical areas like landlord-tenant disputes, child support and custody cases, estate planning, access to VA benefits, and defense in criminal matters that may contribute to housing instability. According to VA Secretary Doug Collins, these services are vital in helping Veterans maintain housing and stability. Organizations interested in applying can learn more online or reach out to [email protected].

📜 VBA Updates

Bridge My Return (BMR): AI-Powered Platform Helping Veterans Turn Military Skills into Civilian Careers

BMR is reshaping the job search process for Veterans, military spouses, and caregivers by using AI and a proprietary matching algorithm to connect job seekers with employers committed to hiring military talent. With just a 20-minute profile setup, Veterans are matched to live, relevant job openings that align with their skills, translated from their military background into civilian terms using a built-in MOS translator. The platform also auto-generates a professional resume and allows users to apply with a single click, all at no cost.

For employers, BMR streamlines hiring by delivering vetted, military-aligned candidates with instant, high-quality matches. The platform supports automated job uploads, ATS integration, and a sleek dashboard for managing the recruitment process. As BMR puts it, it’s time to move beyond thanking Veterans for their service and start recognizing them as high-value assets in the workforce. Both job seekers and employers can get started today with this tech-forward, user-centric solution.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

What’s New with the VA Health and Benefits App: Major Updates Coming Soon for Veterans

The VA Health and Benefits app is already a trusted tool for over 3 million Veterans, offering secure, on-the-go access to essential services like appointment scheduling, prescription refills, claims tracking, and direct communication with care teams. But the app is about to get even more powerful. In the coming months, Veterans can expect new features including mobile check-in for appointments, access to lab and test results, the ability to request travel pay reimbursements, and expanded scheduling options—all designed to make managing VA care and benefits even more seamless.

These enhancements are part of the VA’s ongoing effort to modernize and improve the Veteran experience through technology. With tighter integration into the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) system, the app will offer a smoother, more connected experience. As Veterans across the country call the app a “game changer,” these updates promise to make it an even more indispensable resource. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, now is the perfect time to take control of your VA care—all from the palm of your hand.

Veteran App of the Week

Hevy

Hevy is a free strength training app built to help Veterans stay consistent, focused, and goal-driven in their fitness journey. Whether rebuilding routine after service, maintaining physical readiness, or just looking to stay strong and accountable, Hevy makes it easy to log workouts, track progress, and build momentum. Users can create custom workout plans, record sets and reps, and see their gains over time through simple charts and strength metrics—ideal for Veterans who value structure, discipline, and measurable progress.

For those adjusting to civilian life or navigating challenges like low motivation or loss of routine, Hevy can provide a steady anchor. It also includes optional social features that let you share your workouts or follow friends, helping build camaraderie and accountability similar to what many Veterans valued in service. 

Whether training alone or connecting with a community, Hevy is a no-frills, high-impact tool to support your physical wellness. It's available on iOS, Android, and desktop. While not a substitute for medical or mental health support, it pairs well with VA health goals and personal fitness plans.

Veteran Community Highlight

Growing Veterans – Lynden, Washington

Founded in 2012, Growing Veterans is a unique grassroots organization based in Bellingham, Washington, that helps Veterans reintegrate into civilian life through farming, peer support, and community building. Situated on a working farm just north of the city, the nonprofit blends agriculture with mental wellness, creating a space where Veterans can heal, grow, and reconnect with the land and each other.

At the heart of Growing Veterans is its peer-support model, which empowers Veterans to lead and support one another in an environment focused on teamwork, purpose, and post-service identity. Participants grow organic produce sold at local markets or donated to hunger-relief programs, giving their work a direct impact on the broader community. The farm hosts regular volunteer days, workshops, and wellness events that welcome Veterans and civilians, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support. By combining hands-on work with structured peer engagement, Growing Veterans offers a therapeutic, mission-driven space where Veterans can rebuild connection and purpose beyond the uniform.

Military Deals of the Week

*We do not explicitly endorse any of these companies as we have not personally purchased from many of them. We are simply sharing online deals that we have found for your convenience.

• 20% Off: Backcountry

• 20% Off: Stichfix

• 15% Off: MLB Shop at Fanatics

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Ty Carter

Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter was born on Jan. 25, 1980, in Spokane, WA, and spent much of his childhood moving between California and Oregon. In a working-class family, Carter developed an early love for the outdoors, marksmanship, and mechanics—skills that would later serve him well in combat. After briefly serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998 to 2002, Carter left active duty and pursued civilian life, enrolling in college. But in the wake of 9/11 and driven by a renewed sense of duty, he re-enlisted—this time in the U.S. Army in 2008.

Following his Army training at Fort Knox as a cavalry scout, Carter was assigned to Black Knight Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. In May 2009, his unit deployed to Afghanistan's Nuristan Province, where they were stationed at Combat Outpost Keating—a remote, low-lying base surrounded by towering mountains near the Pakistani border. Poorly placed and vulnerable, COP Keating was under constant threat, but nothing compared to what would come on October 3, 2009.

That morning, more than 300 Taliban fighters launched a coordinated, well-planned assault on the outpost. They surrounded the base, cut off escape routes, and poured down fire from the high ground in a siege that would last over 12 hours. Carter, then a Specialist, operated a Humvee-mounted machine gun, returning fire despite being completely exposed. Under a relentless hail of bullets, RPGs, and mortar rounds, Carter sprinted repeatedly across open ground to resupply ammunition and deliver it to other soldiers whose weapons had gone dry.

In one of the battle’s most critical moments, Carter braved heavy fire to reach and assist a gravely wounded comrade, Spc. Stephan Mace, who had been shot and stranded in an open courtyard. Carter crossed open terrain, treating Mace’s wounds under fire, and then carried him back to cover, all while enemy rounds snapped past him. He continued to fight, refusing evacuation and helping defend the position until air support arrived and the Taliban assault was finally repelled.

Then-President Barack Obama awarded Ty Carter the Medal of Honor for his actions on Aug. 26, 2013. He became only the second living recipient of the award for the Battle of Kamdesh, joining Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha, who had also shown extraordinary valor that day. Carter’s humility and frankness in the years following the award have further distinguished him. He has openly discussed his struggles with post-traumatic stress and has become a vocal advocate for ending the stigma surrounding invisible wounds of war.

His decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, and Bronze Star. Beyond the battlefield, Carter's legacy continues to symbolize valor under fire, vulnerability, and resilience in the aftermath, reminding the military and civilian worlds that true strength includes asking for help.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Operation Song

Operation Song is a nonprofit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 2012 by Grammy-nominated songwriter Bob Regan with a mission to help Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families process their experiences through the power of songwriting. Born from the belief that every Veteran has a story worth telling, Operation Song pairs participants with professional songwriters to transform personal memories, often painful or difficult to articulate, into fully produced, original songs.

At the heart of Operation Song is its songwriting program, which offers both in-person and virtual sessions. Veterans are guided through the creative process in a safe, nonjudgmental space, where they are encouraged to share memories from deployment, service, or transition to civilian life. The emerging songs are more than artistic expressions—they become tools for healing, connection, and legacy. Many Veterans describe the experience as life-changing, helping them externalize trauma, honor fallen comrades, or communicate emotions that had long remained locked away.

Operation Song partners with VA medical centers, Warrior Transition Units, and other Veteran-serving organizations across the country to reach those who may benefit most. It serves all eras of service and is particularly impactful for those coping with PTSD, moral injury, or survivor’s guilt. Providing a voice for the untold stories of war, loss, and survival, Operation Song not only heals individuals but also builds empathy and understanding within families and communities. The nonprofit continues to grow nationally, staying grounded in its mission to turn military memories into music that lasts.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every service member may receive the Medal of Honor or garner widespread recognition, but that doesn't diminish the invaluable contributions each one has made to the sanctity and security of our great nation. 

The saying "freedom isn't free" holds profound truth–it resonates because every individual in the United States relies on the dedication of its military to safeguard the freedoms they enjoy. Each veteran has consciously defended these liberties, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation's well-being. 

Whether you fought on the front lines or provided crucial support behind the scenes, thank you!

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Until Next Time!

Stay tuned for next week’s edition, where we’ll cover more stories and policy updates and find tools & deals for the veteran community.

Thanks,

The Veterans Newsletter