Veterans Affairs News
The Daily Signal provides coverage of how America serves its veterans, including reporting on reforms, challenges, and success stories within the VA system.
-
news
This Veterans Video Went Viral. Now It’s on the Big Screen in Times Square.
Veterans gathered in Times Square on a wet, rainy morning the day before Veterans Day to watch a video. Producer Stephen Clouse was present as a video tribute played to a crowd of a couple dozen veterans, who turned out in New York City despite pouring rain. The video, featuring the poem “Just a… -
opinion
Why VA Police Thought an Active Shooter Drill Was Real
Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances converged at my office complex. As I stood in awe with my colleagues, someone said “There’s an active shooter in the building over there!” In disbelief I searched Twitter for clues. I found one tweet: Report of active shooter on 5th floor of skyline complex on Rt.7 in Fairfax…in… -
opinion
307,000 Veterans May Have Died While Waiting for VA benefits. The VA Status Quo Must Change.
Remember the Department of Veterans Affairs scandal in April, 2014 that exposed veterans had died as a result of waiting for healthcare? Veterans were placed on fake wait lists and were signed up for ghost clinics and records were manipulated. Deceit had become the norm in order to make the VA look better in an… -
news
Heroes Saved: Service Dogs Rescue Veterans From Mental Illness
When former Marine Corporal Cole Thomas Lyle returned from his 400-day deployment to Afghanistan in November of 2011, he had never given much thought to post-traumatic stress. Eager to return to normalcy, Lyle attended a Rangers baseball game with his closest friends, the tickets a gift from his relieved mother. Standing proud as the National… -
news
Country Star Works to Provide Veterans Mortgage-Free Housing
Country singer Tim McGraw is giving mortgage-free homes to veterans. The star, who is working in partnership with Operation Homefront and Chase Bank, has awarded six homes to veterans and their families so far during his Shotgun Rider 2015 Tour. McGraw is aiming to award another 30 homes before the tour ends in September. “These… -
news
Marco Rubio on How to Reform the VA
EXETER, N.H.—Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that veterans should be able to choose between receiving care at a Veterans Affairs facility or from a private provider during a town hall hosted by Concerned Veterans for America in New Hampshire yesterday. Pete Hegseth, the CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, introduced Rubio and praised his efforts… -
news
After Deaths of Veterans, Federal Agencies Stonewall Probe of ‘Candy Man’ Doctor
A congressional investigation into a “Candy Land” physician who allegedly “doped up” and “zombified” veterans has uncovered disturbing new details. The probe has faced stonewalling and hostility from federal agencies, according to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (See full report at the bottom of this story.) In January 2015, reports surfaced… -
news
Home Free: Female Veterans Find Fresh Start in Los Angeles Housing Community
SAN PEDRO, Calif.—Thirty minutes south of Los Angeles, nestled into a drought-dry San Pedro hillside, sits the small townhome community of Blue Butterfly Village. Named for sharing land with a preserve for the endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly, it’s the sort of place you’d never know was there unless you were looking for it. Even… -
news
Rick Perry Pledges to Work for Veterans ‘Until I Take My Last Breath’
NASHUA, N.H.—Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry promised during a campaign stop today that he would reform the Department of Veterans Affairs if elected president of the United States. Perry, speaking at Nashua Community College in New Hampshire, pledged to work for veterans “until I take my last breath.” “If you elect me your president, there… -
news
‘The Last Patrol’: Filmmaker Examines How Veterans Adjust to Civilian Life
The Heritage Foundation and National Review are co-hosting a screening of “The Last Patrol” on Thursday. “The Last Patrol” is a documentary by Sebastian Junger, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, journalist and best-selling author. The film explores how combat veterans readjust to civilian life after returning home from war. In an interview with The Daily Signal, Junger… -
news
Conservative Lawmaker Seeks Answers From the VA on Misleading Statements
Earlier this week, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing in order to try and answer lingering questions about mismanagement at the Department of Veterans Affairs. During the hearing, Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., questioned General Counsel Leigh Bradley about multiple misstatements made by leading VA officials. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald said… -
news
Children of Fallen Veterans Get the Surprise of Their Life From NFL’s MVP
It is a surprise they will never forget. Aaron Rodgers surprises fallen veterans' children in latest #ItsAaron video http://t.co/KrvfZDj3RO pic.twitter.com/4iiZVqiP9L — Green Bay Press-Gazette (@gbpressgazette) January 28, 2015 Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, this season’s NFL most valuable player, created the #ItsAaron video campaign to shine a light on organizations and people who are… -
news
Audit: Va. Department of Transportation Squandered Millions on Lousy Contractor
RICHMOND, Va. — A confidential audit found that the Virginia Department of Transportation wasted millions of tax dollars by failing to fine a nonperforming contractor. The Office of the State Inspector General concluded “at least $3 million” was “wasted” by VDOT management for not holding Serco Inc. accountable for allegedly incomplete or undone work. Serco… -
news
Tax Incentives for Certain Va. Businesses Driving State into Debt
RICHMOND, Va. — Tax incentives for selected businesses are driving Virginia deeper into debt, and House Speaker Bill Howell says he’s committed to curbing the special breaks. “Virginia needs a tax code that encourages growth, and that means making it simpler and more transparent,” Howell, R-Falmouth, said recently. “We can eliminate those incentives and lower the… -
opinion
13 Things You Should Know About the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Its Anniversary
Thirty-two years ago today, after a week of honoring American veterans, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. With more than 4 million visitors each year, the Vietnam Memorial is a beautiful tribute to the heroes of the Vietnam War. On the anniversary of the memorial's dedication, check out our collection of photos… -
news
Reagan on Veterans Day: ‘Peace Fails When We Forget What We Stand For’
America has officially honored its veterans on Nov. 11 since 1954, when an act of Congress changed the name from Armistice Day, recognizing the 1918 ceasefire between Germany and Allied nations. Veterans Day became a federal holiday to honor those who have served in the U.S. military. The video above features excerpts from President Ronald Reagan’s Veterans Day remarks… -
opinion
Why We Served: A Thank You to Our Fellow Veterans
“Those who live today remember those who do not. Those who know freedom remember today those who gave up life for freedom.” —Ronald Reagan, Nov. 11, 1988, Veterans Day National Ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery As we pause to honor all Americans who have served in our armed forces, especially those who gave their last full… -
opinion
Veterans Are the Real 1 Percenters
Mentioning “1 percenters” conjures up images of protest and class warfare. But there is another 1 percent who are beyond politics: the men and women who serve in America’s armed forces, as well as the veterans who served before them. Despite over a decade of ceaseless war against terrorism, fewer than 1 percent of the… -
news
Facing Bleak Prospects, Va. Millenials Want Government Both to Do More and Get Out of the Way
That much-mentioned, so-called millennial generation in Virginia is facing an uphill economic climb. The average student loan debt of 18- to 35-year-oldspolled by Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center for Public Policy is $33,500. Four out of five say they believe the economic challenges they face are greater than the ones their parents did at the… -
news
6 Outrageous Times VA Employees Did Wrong and Still Got Paid by You
The Department of Veterans Affairs remains embroiled in a scandal that resulted in the deaths of at least 40 veterans assigned to its medical facilities. Now, a report from Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., outlines the actions of numerous VA employees who were suspended for various offenses but continued to get a salary from taxpayers. Coburn…