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Volunteering in the service of others
is deeply rooted in our nation's history.
Through the years, Americans have continually
stepped forward to help improve the lives of others.
This unwavering commitment to giving
is the foundation of our culture,
one that places great value
on putting others before one's self.
An excellent example of this unselfish generosity
is the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service --
or VAVS.
Begun in 1946 after the Second World War,
VA's Voluntary Service has a rich and proud legacy.
It was General Omar Bradley who initiated its founding.
As head of what was then the Veterans Administration,
General Bradley established a coordinated and integrated plan
for volunteers to support VA facilities --
something that up, until that point,
had been comprised of
well-meaning but spontaneous volunteer efforts.
General Bradley invited representatives from
a variety of Veterans Service Organizations
to meet with VA leadership.
The purpose was to discuss the need for
a nation-wide VA volunteer organization,
one with a mission to support our nation's veterans
while they're being cared for at VA health care facilities.
Through this very focused beginning,
a voluntary service organization was established
to assist VA hospital staff across the country.
This effort involved the creation of
an advisory committee comprised of representatives
from participating voluntary service organizations.
And at the local level,
Volunteer Service committees were established
to meet the needs of veterans on a community basis.
Initially, VA volunteers supplemented programs
such as the Chaplain, Library, Recreation,
and Canteen Services.
And then shortly after
the formation of VA's Voluntary Service,
its scope of support was extended to include
Medical Services.
The new policy established procedures for coordinating
and integrating volunteer assistance in other areas.
These encompassed Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
Nursing, and Social Services.
By 1975 the VA Voluntary Service national advisory committee
had grown from the small group
of initial Veterans Service Organizations
to more than 50 national groups --
in addition to becoming
a federally chartered advisory committee.
As such, its purpose is to provide advice
to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
through the Under Secretary for Health
on the coordination and promotion of
volunteer activities
within VA health care facilities,
and on other matters relating to volunteerism within VA.
In 1989 the Veterans Administration
was elevated to cabinet-level
and was re-named the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Today, tens of thousands of VA volunteers
devote millions of hours in service to America's veterans.
In addition, there are thousands of
national and community partners
working with VA Voluntary Service
to help support our nation's veterans through volunteerism.
VA volunteers are dedicated to serving those
who served our nation.
These committed individuals
are a priceless asset to America's Veterans
and to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Their involvement has expanded by augmenting VA staff
in areas like Community Living Centers,
Outpatient Clinics, Hospice Care Programs,
Adaptive Sports, Creative Arts,
Veteran Outreach Centers,
National Cemeteries, and Veteran Benefits Offices.
VA volunteers also now support Home Health Care Programs,
computer training for veterans,
income tax preparation assistance,
and transition programs
for those with injuries returning from active duty.
And more corporations are partnering with
the VA Voluntary Service program,
encouraging their employees to become involved.
As our mission evolves,
VA Voluntary Service is striving to expand the potential
to recruit and retain quality leadership
to guide our facility-based programs,
identify and establish strategic partnerships
to increase our valued services,
as well as build strong, better informed internal VA advocates
to establish meaning and value through service opportunities.
VA volunteers are making a difference
in the lives of Veterans
while honoring those who have given so much to our nation.
Being a VA volunteer also enriches one's life
by connecting with new people,
learning new skills,
and feeling a sense of pride by unselfishly helping others.
For more information about VA's Voluntary Service,
simply go to www.volunteer.va.gov.
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