VISN 4's Summer of Service
VA is critical to American medicine and to the Nation's Veterans. Our triad of unique capabilities is unmatched: research, leading to advances in medical care; education and training that is essential to build and maintain proficiency of care; and delivery of clinical care to help those in need. Veterans, American medicine, and our Nation need the tremendous positive influence and essential capabilities that are either delivered or empowered by VA.
Although the total population of America's Veterans is slowly decreasing, the requests for VA care and services are increasing. There are specific reasons that explain this increasing demand. Just one of those reasons is that our Veterans are aging, and require more care and services as they age. Just 40 years ago, 2.2 million Veterans were 65 years old or older. In 2017, we expect 9.8 million (46% of all Veterans) to be 65 or older.
This summer, VA is renewing our commitment to America's Veterans, and we're asking for everyone's help in honoring that commitment—we're calling it the Summer of Service.
We are asking that you partner with us during this summer of service—to give back to those who have given so much to our Nation. Community by community, state by state, we can work together to better serve Veterans—a surge of action on their behalf.
You can help by visiting www.volunteer.va.gov to find out what your local VA facility needs from volunteers. Last year, VISN 4 was honored to have more than 5,000 volunteers support us in our mission. It is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that volunteers provide to Veteran patients. Volunteers are a priceless asset and we are always searching for more.
For more information on Summer of Service, visit www.va.gov/vasummerofservice/.
