Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• The VA dismissed over 1,400 probationary employees in its second round of layoffs this month, sparking criticism over potential service disruptions.

• A federal lawsuit challenges workforce reductions, arguing that OPM overstepped its authority in ordering mass terminations.

• VA employees begin returning to in-person work under a phased plan, with full on-site operations expected by July 2025.

• The MoPOC program expands prosthetic and orthotic care for rural Veterans, improving accessibility while cutting costs.

• Lawmakers express concerns that hiring slowdowns and staffing shortages may impact new clinic openings and patient care.

• The VA reassures Veterans that efficiency improvements will not compromise healthcare services or benefits.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

VA Lays Off 1,400 More Employees in Second Round of Cuts

The VA dismissed over 1,400 probationary employees on Monday, marking its second wave of layoffs this month. The cuts, which included bargaining-unit employees with less than two years in their roles, aim to reallocate resources while saving an estimated $83 million annually. Officials insist the layoffs won’t affect mission-critical jobs, though specifics were not provided.

VA Secretary Doug Collins defended the move, stating it would improve efficiency without harming Veteran services. However, Democratic lawmakers strongly criticized the cuts, arguing they undermine trust and the VA’s ability to retain talent.

This follows previous layoffs of 1,000 non-bargaining unit employees and 60 diversity-focused staffers. While most of the VA’s 40,000 probationary employees remain exempt, concerns persist over hiring slowdowns under the new administration’s policies.

Unions Challenge Federal Workforce Cuts in Court

Several government employee unions have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the termination of thousands of probationary employees, including over 1,000 at the VA. The lawsuit challenges a Feb. 13 directive from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which ordered agencies to dismiss workers using a standardized email citing performance issues.

Unions claim the directive was misleading and that agencies were forced to fire employees they had no plans to dismiss. The lawsuit argues that OPM overstepped its authority, as employment decisions are managed by individual agencies and governed by congressional funding.

Lawmakers have raised concerns about the impact on government services, particularly at the VA, where workforce reductions and hiring freezes may delay new clinics, suspend services, and disrupt patient care. While officials assert that critical roles remain protected, critics argue that staffing shortages could undermine services for Veterans and the public.

The legal challenge in a California federal court is among multiple lawsuits contesting the broader federal workforce reductions.

📜 VBA Updates

VA Employees Begin Return to In-Person Work Following Presidential Directive

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins delivered an encouraging message as VA employees nationwide began returning to in-person work. This transition follows President Trump’s directive to phase out telework, emphasizing collaboration and efficiency in serving Veterans. Collins highlighted the benefits of office-based work, reinforcing the VA’s mission. 

The department is implementing a phased approach to accommodate employees while ensuring a smooth transition, with all personnel expected on-site by July 2025. The VA remains committed to supporting its workforce while maintaining top-tier service for Veterans.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

MoPOC Program Expands VA Prosthetic and Orthotic Care for Rural Veterans

The Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) program at Tennessee Valley VA brings specialized care directly to Veterans with mobility impairments, eliminating long travel times to VA medical centers. By deploying Certified Prosthetists/Orthotists (CPOs) to outpatient clinics and homes, MoPOC improves access while saving the VA approximately $86K per clinician annually.

Launched in 2021, the program now serves 18 VA facilities and is supported by VHA’s Office of Rural Health. With 94,000 eligible rural Tennessee Veterans—many of whom are aging—MoPOC streamlines care delivery, strengthens provider communication, and enhances trust.

MoPOC ensures Veterans receive timely, high-quality prosthetic and orthotic care through a dedicated team, setting a new standard for rural health services.

Veteran App of the Week

MHA for Veterans

The MHA for Veterans app enables veterans to complete mental health assessments remotely, facilitating real-time feedback and ongoing communication with their VA care teams. 

By offering a convenient platform for monitoring mental health, the app supports veterans in managing conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. TVeterans can actively participate in their mental health care through regular assessments and direct access to professional guidance, fostering improved well-being and resilience.

Veteran Community Highlight

Veterans Coalition of Tarrant County (VETCO)

Established in Tarrant County, Texas, the Veterans Coalition of Tarrant County (VETCO) connects local, state, and national organizations to support veterans and their families. By identifying service gaps and fostering collaboration, VETCO enhances access to education, employment, healthcare, and essential resources.

The coalition brings together community leaders, service organizations, and businesses to advocate for veterans’ needs and streamline support efforts. VETCO hosts monthly meetings to coordinate initiatives and improve outreach.

Through its collaborative approach, VETCO strengthens the veteran community, ensuring a smoother transition to civilian life and long-term well-being.

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.

• 25% Off: Sonos

• 25% Off: Lucky Brand

• 10%: Quince

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Waverly B. Woodson Jr.

Born on Aug. 3, 1922, in Philadelphia, PA, Waverly Bernard Woodson Jr. was the son of a postal carrier. He pursued pre-medical studies at Lincoln University but paused his education to enlist in the U.S. Army on Dec.15, 1942. Despite facing racial discrimination that prevented him from becoming an officer in the Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Woodson trained as a medic and was assigned to the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only African American combat unit to land on D-Day.

On June 6, 1944, during the Normandy invasion, Woodson’s landing craft was struck by enemy fire as it approached Omaha Beach, sending shrapnel tearing into his groin, back, and inner thigh. Wounded but undeterred, he quickly set up a medical aid station under heavy enemy fire, tending to the wounded with relentless dedication.

For 30 straight hours, Woodson worked without rest, performing battlefield surgeries, amputations, and emergency procedures. He extracted bullets, reset broken bones, and applied tourniquets to slow bleeding. At one point, he saved four soldiers who had nearly drowned in the surf, reviving them with artificial respiration.

Woodson’s ability to remain composed in the face of relentless machine gun and artillery fire allowed him to save more than 200 men. Despite his own injuries, he refused to evacuate, prioritizing the lives of others. When he was finally relieved, he collapsed from exhaustion, his uniform soaked in the blood of the men he had treated.

Despite recommendations for the Medal of Honor, Woodson did not receive the award, likely due to racial biases of the time. Instead, he was awarded the Purple Heart and, in 2023, posthumously received the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Medic Badge. In June 2024, the Distinguished Service Cross was presented to his widow on Omaha Beach, finally recognizing his extraordinary heroism.

After the war, Woodson earned a degree in biology from Lincoln University and had a distinguished 28-year career as a medical technologist at the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. He passed away on Aug. 12, 2005, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, at the age of 83.

Waverly B. Woodson Jr.’s bravery at Omaha Beach exemplifies the courage, skill, and resilience of African American soldiers who fought for a country that often failed to acknowledge their sacrifices. His story is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Black service members in the face of adversity.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Volunteers Serving the Need (VSTN)

Founded in Laredo, Texas, Volunteers Serving the Need (VSTN) is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to supporting military veterans and their surviving spouses in Webb County. Founded by founder and CEO Gigi M.E. Ramos, VSTN addresses the unique challenges faced by veterans and provides essential services to those in need.

Located at 1202 Salinas Avenue, VSTN operates a facility where veterans and their families can access various resources. The organization offers monthly distributions of groceries, personal hygiene products, and essential household items to veterans and surviving spouses, ensuring they have the necessities to maintain their well-being. Additionally, VSTN runs a thrift store open to the public, with proceeds directly supporting their veteran assistance programs.

Beyond material support, VSTN actively engages with the community through events and collaborations. For instance, in December 2024, the Laredo Sports Association donated two truckloads of goods to VSTN, benefiting veteran families.

Such partnerships amplify VSTN's impact, fostering a community-wide commitment to honoring and assisting those who have served.

Volunteers Serving the Need plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for veterans and their families in South Texas by providing essential services and fostering community collaboration.

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!

Weekly Satisfaction Poll

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