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'Circle Of Heroes' Underwater Veterans Memorial Open For Diving

Scuba divers took the first official plunge to explore the new Circle of Heroes memorial in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday.

Bush Selects Former RNC Chair for Veterans Post

President Bush nominates Jim Nicholson as secretary for Veterans Affairs, after the retirement of Anthony Principi. Nicholson is a Vietnam vet and former chairman of the Republican National Committee. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

George Murray, who served in Vietnam, was able to access his medical benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs relatively easily while living in Boston. But veterans living in other parts of Massachusetts, like Cape Cod, have more difficulty. Across the U.S., VA data show the unevenness in its benefit spending.

VA Data Show Disparities In Veteran Benefits Spending

Nationwide veteran benefits data show a huge variation in coverage from state to state, and even within states. In Massachusetts, access to VA services changes dramatically from Boston to Cape Cod.

Grant County Veterans Service Officer Bob Kelley (right) works with World War II Army veteran Frederick Kern at the Grant County Government Building in Marion, Ind., on Monday.

Without Help, Navigating Benefits Can Be Overwhelming For Veterans

Veterans service officers often help veterans successfully navigate the complicated benefits process. For instance, not all vets in Indiana know about VSOs or have access to them.

Obon 2015 co-founder Rex Ziak at Monday's Returning Ceremony in Astoria, Oregon. (Tom Banse/Northwest News Network)

WWII Veterans Return 'Good Luck Flags' To Japanese

Tom Banse reports on the effort to return the flags taken as war souvenirs from Pacific battlefields during World War II.

Veterans Are Divided On Response To Trump's Desire For Military Parade

Veterans are divided on President Trump's desire for a military parade. Many believe it is a fitting tribute to the all-volunteer force, others worry it will be misinterpreted as a show of force.

New Congress Includes Veterans, But None From WWII

As the number of veterans serving on Capitol Hill declines, we take a look at the impact of military veteran lawmakers.

Darrell Harris in front of Hearts and Homes for Veterans on Thursday Feb. 10, 2022. Harris was once a homeless veteran who utilized the organizations services and is now a member of their team.

The collaborative efforts to help homeless veterans in Lee County

There are 1.5 million veterans in the state of Florida, with veterans in Lee County making up 10% of the county’s population.“One veteran's experience in homelessness is one too many,” Michael Raposa, CEO of St. Vincent DePaul CARES, said.

Fish with a Hero is expanding the number of fishing programs and experiences offered to Southwest Florida’s wounded and disabled veterans. This expansion is being made possible by new partnerships with Freedom Waters Foundation of Naples, Kappa Alpha at Florida Gulf Coast University, and Estero River Outfitters. healing fishing experiences even more to help them cope with PTSD and other wounds of war.”
Monthly outreach events are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University at the Veteran’s Pavilion from 4 to 6 p.m. Additional fishing and boating experiences will be offered in Naples through the partnership with Freedom Waters Foundation.

Non-profit provides fishing, boating experiences for veterans

Fish With a Hero, Inc. is a public charity and Florida not-for-profit corporation — each year, Fish With a Hero provides world class fishing experiences and sponsors programs designed to assist participants in dealing with the effects of PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other disabilities and wounds of war.

Army veteran Ellsworth "Tony" Williams and Air Force veteran G.W. "Bill" Hamblin standing in front of the mural outside American Legion Post 5 in Tampa.

Veterans Groups Uncertain About Trump's VA Nominee

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs is not a veteran himself. And as the VA Undersecretary of Health, Dr. David...

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