Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• Veterans are urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which would end the "wounded veterans tax" and allow medically retired Veterans to receive both full retirement pay and VA disability compensation.

• A new executive order aims to create housing for 6,000 homeless Veterans at the West LA VA campus by 2028, reviving a long-stalled project amid concerns about feasibility and funding.

• The VA plans to cut about 83,000 positions in a major workforce reduction, prompting morale issues, early retirements, and legal challenges over transparency and potential service impact.

• Warrior Rising is offering a free 4-week virtual entrepreneurship course, SDVET LaunchPoint, for service-disabled Veterans starting June 5, 2025, in partnership with the SBA.

• Army Veteran Bryan Billups is promoting mental health awareness and participation in the VA’s Million Veteran Program to advance research on PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

Veterans Push to End Retirement Pay Penalty for Medically Retired Service Members

Army veteran Dan Nevins, who lost both legs in combat, is advocating for the elimination of a policy that reduces retirement pay for certain medically retired Veterans. Known informally as the "wounded veterans tax," the policy affects around 50,000 Veterans, many of whom are unable to receive both full retirement benefits and disability compensation if they served fewer than 20 years or have a disability rating under 50%.

Nevins, along with other Veterans, is supporting the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act, which aims to allow injured Veterans to receive both benefits in full. The bill has strong bipartisan support in Congress, with over 70 Senate and 270 House co-sponsors, but its projected $9.75 billion cost through 2033 remains a key hurdle.

Nevins shared his personal story of injury, recovery, and surprise at learning he wouldn’t receive full retirement pay. He now works as a motivational speaker and yoga instructor, and continues to fight for what he sees as a matter of fairness and fulfilling the nation’s promise to those who served.

New Trump Order Revives Hope for Housing Homeless Veterans at West LA VA Campus

Outside the West Los Angeles VA campus—originally donated in 1888 to house disabled Veterans—Iraq War Veteran Irving Webb and others continue to live unhoused despite decades of underused land and delayed construction. The 388-acre campus has been tied up by leases for private use and legal disputes, while Los Angeles remains home to the nation’s largest population of homeless Veterans.

A recent White House executive order aims to transform the site into the National Center for Warrior Independence, calling for housing for 6,000 Veterans by 2028. Advocates, including Iraq veteran Rob Reynolds, support the plan, citing the need for accessible housing near healthcare services. However, critics point out that the order came without consultation from local VA officials and raises questions about feasibility, funding, and the potential relocation of Veterans from outside LA.

The order suggests funds may be redirected from other federal programs, prompting skepticism about intent and implementation. Still, local groups remain cautiously optimistic that the long-stalled development may finally accelerate, offering not just shelter but a supportive, long-term community for Veterans in need.

Department of Veterans Affairs Faces Workforce Reductions and Morale Challenges

The VA is undergoing a significant workforce reduction, planning to decrease its staff by approximately 15%, equating to about 83,000 positions. While officials assert that front-line healthcare roles and claims processors will remain unaffected, the lack of detailed information has led to uncertainty and concern among employees and veterans. This atmosphere has contributed to a rise in early retirements and declining morale within the agency.

The VA, responsible for providing healthcare and benefits to over 9 million veterans, has seen its workforce and budget expand in recent years, notably due to the PACT Act, which increased disability claims and healthcare enrollment.However, current restructuring efforts include proposals to consolidate overlapping programs, such as those addressing suicide prevention, homelessness, and wellness initiatives, aiming to enhance efficiency.

Critics express concern that these rapid changes may compromise the quality of care and services provided to veterans. In response to the planned layoffs, a federal judge has temporarily halted the reductions, though the administration has filed an appeal. The situation has prompted calls from lawmakers and veteran advocacy groups for greater transparency and a more measured approach to any organizational changes within the VA.

📜 VBA Updates

Free 4-Week Course Empowers Service-Disabled Veterans to Explore Entrepreneurship

Warrior Rising, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), offers SDVET LaunchPoint—a free, 4-week virtual course starting June 5, 2025, for service-disabled Veterans interested in starting or redirecting a business. The program helps participants evaluate business ideas, identify ideal customers, and test viability, all while building confidence and connecting with a community of fellow Veterans. 

Weekly one-hour Zoom sessions guide attendees through mindset, mission, and market readiness. Eligibility requires an honorable discharge, a service-connected disability rating, and a desire to learn and take action. 

Spouses of qualifying Veterans may also apply. 

Deadline: June 1, 2025.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

Army Veteran Bryan Billups Advocates for Mental Health and Research Through VA’s Million Veteran Program

Army Veteran Bryan Billups, a Gulf War paratrooper and longtime federal employee, is championing the importance of mental health and research participation for Veterans. Drawing on his own experiences, Billups stresses the need to reduce stigma, especially among men, by encouraging open conversations about mental health. 

He emphasizes that research—like the VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP)—is vital to understanding and improving care for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. By joining MVP, Billups hopes to lift up fellow Veterans and help shape a better future for Veteran mental health care. Participation is open to all Veterans, regardless of where they receive care.

Veteran App of the Week

Brainway

BrainWay is a mobile mental wellness app designed to support users in improving emotional resilience, enhancing cognitive focus, and managing stress—making it a potentially helpful tool for Veterans navigating post-service life.

The app offers structured mental training through guided audio exercises, combining elements of neuroscience, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness. Veterans can access modules focused on stress reduction, sleep improvement, and emotional regulation—areas where many transitioning service members face challenges.

Features include:

• Personalized brain-training routines targeting focus, mood balance, and calmness

• Short, science-based sessions that fit easily into daily life

• Progress tracking tools to monitor mental health changes over time

• Offline access, making it usable in a range of environments, including remote or rural areas

Available on both iOS and Android, BrainWay can be a supportive daily resource for Veterans working to improve their mental well-being. It’s important to note that BrainWay does not replace clinical care. Veterans dealing with PTSD, depression, or other mental health concerns should continue to work with licensed professionals and consult the VA or other care providers as needed.

Veteran App of the Week

Chicago Veterans

Chicago Veterans is a dynamic nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2013 by a group of combat veterans from DePaul University. It was established to empower Veterans as they navigate life after service, with a focus on fostering connection, purpose, and support within the Veteran community.

The organization hosts a variety of programs designed to ease the transition to civilian life. These include the Chicago Veterans Academy, which offers self-paced courses and webinars on benefits, employment, and wellness, as well as a Transitional Program to help Veterans access the resources they need. Their Social & Community Involvement Program brings Veterans together through volunteer opportunities and social events.

One of Chicago Veterans’ signature initiatives is the annual Ruck March, where participants carry weighted packs to honor fallen comrades and raise awareness about Veteran issues, particularly mental health.

Led by Executive Director Karen Hernandez, a U.S. Army Veteran, Chicago Veterans continues to grow as a vital support network for those who have served.

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.

• 15% Off: New Balance

• 10%:  Vera Bradley

• 10%: Promix

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith

Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith was born on July 27, 1935, in Wahiawā, HI, a small town nestled in the island's central plateau. Of Hispanic and Asian descent, Smith grew up in a culturally rich environment that emphasized honor, duty, and community. After graduating from Leilehua High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953 at the age of 18, embarking on a military career that would span over a decade.

Throughout his service, Smith was stationed in various locations, including Okinawa, Japan, where he met his future wife, Jane, a fellow Hawaiian serving in the Women's Army Corps. The couple married and settled in Tacoma, WA, raising two daughters, Kathleen and Pamela.

In July 1966, Smith was deployed to Vietnam, serving as the platoon sergeant for the 1st Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. The division operated in the Central Highlands near the Cambodian border, a region characterized by rugged terrain and intense combat against North Vietnamese Army forces.

On Feb. 16, 1967, Staff Sergeant Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith was leading his platoon on a reconnaissance mission near Dak To in Vietnam’s Kontum Province when they were ambushed by a large, well-entrenched enemy force. Despite being struck by small arms fire that wounded his shoulder and abdomen, Smith refused evacuation. Instead, he moved across the exposed battlefield under intense fire, calmly repositioning his men, distributing ammunition, and encouraging them to hold the line.

As the firefight escalated, Smith was hit again by a rocket-propelled grenade, sustaining devastating injuries. Even then, he continued to crawl from soldier to soldier, directing fields of fire, warning of enemy flanks, and maintaining control of the perimeter. His actions kept the platoon organized and fighting, buying crucial time and saving lives. Smith ultimately succumbed to his wounds on the battlefield, having given everything to protect his men.

For his extraordinary heroism, Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in October 1968. His widow, Jane, and their daughters received the medal from Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor during a ceremony at the Pentagon.Smith was laid to rest with full military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI.

Staff Sergeant Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith's legacy endures as a testament to selfless service and unwavering courage in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Boulder Crest Foundation

Boulder Crest Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting U.S. combat veterans and first responders through a unique approach focused on posttraumatic growth. With retreat locations in Bluemont, Virginia, and Sonoita, Arizona, the foundation provides peaceful, immersive environments where participants can recover from trauma and rediscover purpose.

At the heart of the foundation’s work is Warrior PATHH—a no-cost, peer-led program that guides veterans through an 18-month journey of healing, beginning with a transformative weeklong retreat. Unlike traditional clinical treatments, Boulder Crest emphasizes strength, meaning, and resilience through outdoor activities, reflection, and brotherhood. Additional programs, like First Responder PATHH and Struggle Well, extend this philosophy to other communities in need.

Boulder Crest believes that struggle is not a life sentence—it’s a doorway to growth. By creating space for veterans to connect, heal, and thrive on their own terms, the foundation helps them move from surviving to truly living.

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