Memorial Day 2024

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Posted By: Roberta Mullin May 27, 2024

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Today we are observing Memorial Day here in the states. Throughout the long weekend there are parades, services, celebrations and all sorts of events to remember those who died in service to our nation. We all know too well that it is not always easy to be a surviving vet and receive the help and services needed to thrive in our society. In honor of Memorial Day and our living vets, we wanted to take a look at the VA blogs and podcasts reporting some of the good that is happening as it pertains to innovations, technology, mental health and healthcare.

VA News

VA Improves Access to Care, Reduces Wait Times for New Patient Appointments

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced improved wait times for new patient appointments in primary care and mental health care across the VA health care system.

For new patients in April 2024, there was an 11% decrease in average wait times for VA primary care and a 7% decrease in average mental health wait times compared to same time last year. These improved wait times come at a time when VA is delivering more care to more Veterans than ever before. Compared to the same time period last year (which was a record-breaking year for appointments), VA completed 11% more new patient appointments – including nearly 13% more new patient mental health appointments.

VA Podcast Network

Check out the VA Podcast Network

Learning new things while staying entertained has never been easier for America’s Veterans. The VA Podcasts Network offers a diverse selection of top-quality podcasts made with a Veteran community in mind. Each podcast specializes on a different topic and covers gripping content that no Veteran should want to miss out on. Just go to the VA Podcasts Network website and click on the podcasts to listen to the wealth of knowledge that awaits to be heard.

Memorial Day Facts

  1. Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, in the United States, holiday (last Monday in May) honouring those who have died in the nation’s wars. It originated during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle.
  2. Memorial Day was not an official federal holiday in 1971 on the last Monday of May.
  3. Each year, Americans are called to pause to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country in wars both at home and abroad.
  4. Through all the fanfare and the unofficial start to summer, Memorial Day itself continues to be among the most important national observances in big cities and small towns across the country.
  5. Memorial Day is one of the few days flags are ordered to fly at half-staff then full-staff.
  6. In December 2000, Congress passed a law requiring Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to remember and honor the fallen.

Happy Memorial Day!