Welcome to the Veterans’ Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• The VA is removing administrative hurdles from its community care referral process, aiming to speed up access to non-VA providers for Veterans needing timely medical treatment.

• Advocacy groups are calling on the VA to address long-standing delays in its adaptive housing and vehicle modification programs, citing payment backlogs and reduced in-person oversight.

• This Memorial Day, the VA invites Veterans, families, and the public to honor fallen service members at ceremonies across the country, with a full list of events available by state.

• American Corporate Partners continues to support Veterans and military spouses with personalized, year-long career mentorships led by top executives from companies like Amazon and Disney.

• The VA has renewed its contract with Oracle Health for a third year, reinforcing its commitment to EHR modernization and improved care delivery through greater oversight and efficiency.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

VA Streamlines Community Care Referrals to Improve Veteran Access

The VA has simplified its process for Veterans to receive medical care from non-VA providers. Under a new provision of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, VA doctors’ referrals to community care providers will no longer require additional administrative review. This change, now in effect, aims to reduce delays and make it easier for Veterans to access care when and where it’s most convenient.

Previously, even when a VA physician recommended outside care, referrals were subject to internal review, often creating delays or redirecting patients back into the VA system. The updated policy, which will remain in place for at least two years, is designed to increase responsiveness and streamline access to services, especially for those dealing with time-sensitive conditions like mental health or substance use issues. The VA will monitor the impact of the change and report its findings to Congress.

Training is now underway to ensure VA employees follow the new referral process consistently. This update builds on prior access expansions from the Choice Act of 2014 and Mission Act of 2019, and reflects the VA’s ongoing commitment to balancing in-house and community care while focusing on Veteran needs and timely treatment.

Veterans Groups Urge Action on Delays in VA Adaptive Housing and Vehicle Programs

Veterans advocacy organizations are urging lawmakers to address growing delays and inefficiencies in the VA’s adaptive housing and vehicle programs. At a recent House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee hearing, advocates cited long vendor payment delays—often exceeding six months—and a shift to virtual home inspections that may miss critical accessibility issues. Julie Howell of Paralyzed Veterans of America emphasized that in-person walkthroughs are essential to ensuring quality modifications for Veterans with severe disabilities.

Grant amounts for minor home adjustments haven’t increased since 2010, and some lawmakers are backing legislation to raise those limits and tie them to inflation. Meanwhile, companies that provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles reported an average 186-day wait for VA payments, which they say hampers their ability to serve Veterans. The VA acknowledged local bottlenecks and said it's working to automate parts of the process and improve consistency across offices.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called for stronger oversight and a more responsive system, stressing that Veterans with catastrophic injuries shouldn’t face unnecessary barriers to safe, independent living.

VA Invites Public to Honor Fallen Service Members at Memorial Day Events

This Memorial Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs invites the public to attend ceremonies at VA National Cemeteries across the country to honor service members who gave their lives in defense of the nation. These free events, open to Veterans, families, and community members, will take place on and around Memorial Day weekend. This article includes a list of Memorial Day events organized by state, though attendees should confirm details with host organizations or cemetery staff, as event information may change.

In addition to hosting ceremonies, VA’s National Cemetery Administration has partnered with nonprofits including Carry The Load, the Travis Manion Foundation, and Victory for Veterans to support remembrance through volunteer opportunities, community engagement, and shared stories of fallen service members.

For those unable to attend in person, the Veterans Legacy Memorial website offers a way to honor the fallen virtually. Visitors can explore service histories, decorations, and burial locations for millions of Veterans interred at VA and affiliated cemeteries—and leave a tribute from anywhere.

📜 VBA Updates

American Corporate Partners: Free One-on-One Mentorship for Veterans and Military Spouses

American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a nonprofit dedicated to helping post-9/11 Veterans and active duty spouses transition into successful civilian careers through free, personalized mentorship. Since 2010, ACP has supported over 37,000 individuals, boasting an average starting salary of $90,000 for alumni.

Veterans are matched with senior executives from top U.S. companies like Amazon, Disney, and Lockheed Martin based on their career goals and experience. Over the course of a year, mentors help with résumé building, interview prep, networking, and more. ACP also offers specialized programs for small business development and weekly LinkedIn Live events with hiring managers.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

VA Advances EHR Modernization with Third-Year Contract Extension for Oracle Health

The VA has awarded the third one-year extension of its renegotiated contract with Oracle Health, continuing the push to modernize the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This extension reinforces the VA’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, performance accountability, and improved care delivery for Veterans.

Restructured initially in 2023 from a single 5-year contract into five 1-year terms, the agreement allows for annual evaluations of Oracle Health’s performance and progress. This has led to better oversight in key areas such as system reliability, clinician support, and interoperability with other health care systems.

The latest contract negotiations emphasized cost efficiencies and operational improvements to accelerate EHR deployments. According to VA Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., this step ensures the technical and implementation support needed to scale EHR modernization while maintaining Oracle Health's accountability.

Future contract decisions will continue to be based on progress toward modernization goals and the evolving needs of the VA health system.

Veteran App of the Week

Liven

Liven is a mobile app designed to assist individuals in understanding and transforming their inner dialogue, making it a valuable tool for Veterans.

The app provides a personalized program where users can set achievable goals, such as improving self-image or managing stress. It includes tools like a mood tracker to monitor emotional patterns, a routine builder to establish healthy habits, and an AI companion named Livie for non-judgmental conversations. Additionally, Liven offers bite-sized educational content based on psychological research and deep focus soundscapes to aid concentration.

Available on both iOS and Android platforms, Liven can serve as a supplementary resource for Veterans seeking to enhance their mental well-being. However, it is essential to note that Liven is not a substitute for professional medical care. Veterans are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers for personalized support and guidance.

Veteran Community Highlight

Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum

The Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum (CCVMM), located in San Luis Obispo, California, is a community-based organization dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of U.S. military veterans. Established in 2001, the museum offers exhibits, educational programs, and events highlighting the contributions and sacrifices of service members from the Central Coast region.

CCVMM hosts a Veterans Day Community Celebration each year, inviting the public to engage with military history through special exhibits, guided tours, and activities designed to honor local heroes. The museum also features a "Wall of Honor" and participates in the Veterans History Project, collecting and preserving personal accounts of American war veterans.

Through its ongoing efforts, the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum is a vital resource for education and remembrance, fostering a deeper understanding of military service and its impact on the nation.

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.

• 30% Off: Titan by Brooklyn Bedding

• 20% Off: Meater

• 5%:  Aventon

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Charles N. DeGlopper

Charles N. DeGlopper was born in Grand Island, NY, a quiet farming town where he learned the values of hard work, humility, and service to others. Raised during the Great Depression, he developed a deep sense of responsibility from an early age—qualities that would later define his short but heroic military career. Friends and family described him as soft-spoken and dependable, someone who put others before himself without hesitation or fanfare.

In 1942, at age 21, Charles N. DeGlopper enlisted in the U.S. Army and was later assigned to the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. He volunteered for the newly formed airborne forces, training for the dangerous role of glider infantry—a unit known for its unpowered, high-risk landings behind enemy lines. On June 7, 1944, DeGlopper’s regiment landed in Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion’s follow-up glider operations, enduring heavy fire and equipment losses.

Two days later, on June 9, his unit was engaged near the Merderet River as part of the operation to secure La Fière Bridge. During the assault, C Company, 1st Battalion, became isolated under intense German fire. In a selfless act, DeGlopper stood up in full view of the enemy with his Browning Automatic Rifle and began laying down suppressive fire to cover his comrades’ withdrawal. Although struck multiple times, he continued firing until he was fatally wounded.

His actions allowed the remainder of his company to escape and rejoin their battalion for the continued assault on La Fière. DeGlopper was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and sacrifice on Feb. 28, 1946. He remains the only member of the 82nd Airborne Division to receive the nation’s highest military honor for actions during the Normandy campaign.

Though he died at just 22 years old, DeGlopper’s legacy endures. In addition to monuments in Grand Island and La Fière, the U.S. Army named a logistics support vessel—the USAV Charles D. DeGlopper (LSV-7)—in his honor. His story is a poignant reminder of the courage found in ordinary individuals who rise to meet extraordinary circumstances. 

His will forever echo within the halls of history as a testament to the sacrifice and selflessness that define true heroism.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Tom’s Retreat Veterans Foundation

Tom’s Retreat Veterans Foundation TRVF is a nonprofit organization that provides U.S. military veterans with a peaceful and supportive environment to rest, reflect, and reconnect. Founded in memory of a fallen service member, the foundation operates out of Tuckerton, N.J., offering a serene retreat space for veterans who may be dealing with stress, trauma, or the challenges of reintegration into civilian life.

The retreat is a no-cost sanctuary where veterans can unwind, engage in peer support, and participate in therapeutic outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and bonfires. It’s designed to foster healing through nature, camaraderie, and quiet reflection, without the pressure of formal programming or clinical environments. The foundation also hosts events and outreach programs to strengthen connections within the local veteran community.

Tom’s Retreat emphasizes the power of presence and simplicity. By offering veterans a calm space to feel seen, heard, and supported, the foundation helps restore a sense of belonging. Its mission is rooted in compassion and the belief that even the smallest gestures—like a quiet place to sit or a shared story around a fire—can make a lasting difference in a veteran’s life.

In Honor of Memorial Day

As Memorial Day approaches, we pause not just to thank those who served but also to remember those who never came home. Their sacrifice is the reason we enjoy the freedoms we hold dear today. They gave everything so others could live in peace, and we carry their memory with deep gratitude and reverence.

To every veteran reading this: your service honors their legacy. Whether you served on the front lines or supported the mission behind the scenes, your commitment upholds the values for which they gave their lives. You are part of a powerful tradition of courage, resilience, and selflessness that defines the American spirit.

This weekend, as flags fly and names are spoken at ceremonies across the country, we remember the fallen and thank you for keeping their legacy alive.

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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