VA’s updated mission statement reflects diversity of Veteran population

Ryan Callahan — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 07:28:30 -0400

On March 4, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address. The powerful yet brief statement — at about 700 words — sought to prepare the nation for the long recovery from the bloody Civil War.

Foreseeing the war’s end, which came the following month at Appomattox Court House, Lincoln pledged the government’s assistance to Veterans of the conflict and their survivors.

He stated: “With malice toward none with charity for all with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

That section of Lincoln’s speech inspired the 1959 motto adopted by the Veterans Administration, which became the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.”

The mission statement remained for more than six decades, even as the Veteran community diversified in almost every respect, including by gender: VA now serves more than 600,000 women Veterans, the fastest growing group. All told, there are an estimated 2 million women Veterans living today, and they are projected to be 18% of the Veteran population by 2040, VA data shows.

A mission inclusive of today’s Veterans

The history of women’s military service and sacrifice was the backdrop for the formal unveiling of VA’s new mission statement, on March 16 at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial: “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.”

“Both in times of peace and times of war, women … have sacrificed all for this sovereign nation, even when their efforts were not welcome for no other reason than their gender,” said Kimberly R. Willis, national director of the National VA Chaplain Service.

In opening remarks at the event, which took place during Women’s History Month, Willis cited these among other female pathbreakers now included in VA’s mission:

• Margaret Corbin, who after service in the American Revolution in 1779 became the first woman to receive a military pension.

• Harriet Tubman (1819-1913), leader of the Underground Railroad; Civil War scout, spy, soldier and Union nurse; and the first Black American woman to serve in the U.S. military.

• Loretta Perfectus Walsh, who in 1917 became the first female to enlist in the U.S. Navy.

• Opha May Johnson, who in 1918 became the first female to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.

• Myrtle Gambrill (born Myrtle Rae Holthaus Hazard), who in 1918 became the first female to enlist in the Coast Guard.

• Esther McGowen Blake, who in 1948 became the first woman to enlist in the U.S. Air Force.

“Today,” Willis said, “we commend those whose dedication to country preceded this day and have paved the way for all women who have worn the uniform or committed their actions to the cause of this nation.”

A reflection of the entire Veteran community

VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the new mission speaks to and reflects the entirety of the Veteran community. In addition to female Veterans, that includes more than 600,000 survivors of Veterans; more than 50,000 caregivers; and Veterans of every gender, race, background, identity, religion and ZIP Code.

“Whenever any Veteran, family member, caregiver or survivor walks by a VA facility, we want them to see themselves in the mission statement on the outside of the building,” McDonough said. “We are here to serve all Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors — and now, our mission statement reflects exactly that.”

McDonough said in the coming months, the new mission statement will replace the old one posted at about half of VA facilities. He noted that the new mission statement was adopted with the approval of a cross-section of roughly 30,000 Veterans, who provided input through surveys and small group interviews.

Learn more

• Read VA’s news release about the new mission statement: https://rly.pt/VAmission

• Watch the ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial: https://rly.pt/3TXcwkr

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Mar 28 at 2023 7:39 AM

SPC Robert Coventry — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 07:39:29 -0400

Thanks for the share

Response by MGySgt Samuel Steen made Mar 28 at 2023 9:29 AM

MGySgt Samuel Steen — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:29:43 -0400

I served this country for 32 plus years of my life. During those years I body was abused, bruised, bleeding, beaten and broken but I never quit believing because I was doing a just calling. Therefore knowing that, I could frankly care less about hearing you beating your chest to make changes to the VA’s mission statement. Maybe you need a reality check about what’s really going on. Instead of worrying about a mission statement that hasn’t healed a single veteran instead, why don’t you focus your attention on making sure every veteran who needs help, gets help first before you make the wild assertion that in your opinion the VA’s number one concern should be that our mission letter doesn’t reflect veterans of today, well gentle sir that’s BS. You want to change our mission statement, here I’ll give you one free of charge, neutral friendly and shouldn’t offend but instead included ever veteran. Mission statement, “ we will leave No Veteran behind. We will treat all veterans with the dignity and respect they have both earned and deserve. We will heal their hearts, their souls and their minds with the same care we mend an heal their broken bones. We must always remember that there is only one category of veterans and that’s veterans. Our number one responsibility at the VA is to heal all veterans, our second responsibility is we will never fail them.

The Leadership

We as veterans understand the word veteran alone says it all. We are Veterans because we gave our all and the VA is here to provide us with all the right care to heal the wounds our bodies endured while serving. Some fought and have injuries that can’t be seen while others bleed and broke bones and endure unexplainable pain on a daily basis and will do so on a daily basis. In closings all we want and expect from our VA is to be provided the proper care our bodies need to heal and for the most part they VA does a great job and is improving. I speak for myself but I could care less about some feel good, include A-Z mission statement. I only care about the only category that matters and when you say Veteran everyone understands we mean all the above. Provide us with the GREAT CARE we rightful EARNED for our selfless service to a grateful Nation.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 29 at 2023 10:43 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 10:43:18 -0400

Always good to see that funds are being spent on the really important things...

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made Apr 5 at 2023 5:55 PM

PO1 Robert Ryan — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 17:55:08 -0400

another politically correct thing. VETERANS AE|RE VETERABS REGARDLESS OF GENDER. At one time It was veterans first. That said it all. I TOOK BASIC TRAINING AT FORT JACKSON AND AIT AT FORT POLK. NOW THE ARMY HAS GOT INTO THAT POLITCALLY COTTRCT CRAP. WASTED MONEY RENAMING FORTS. MONEY THAT COULD BE USED FOR BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SOLDIERS AND DEPENDENTS.