It was a “takeover” on May 10 as the VA digital media team was handed the Partnership for Public Service’s Instagram account for the day. The takeover provided an opportunity to highlight the work of VA employees across the country during Public Service Recognition Week.

Here’s a look at the stories VA shared.

Serving America’s Veterans, such as these Veterans from Honor Flight Long Island, and their families — it’s what we do every day at the @deptvetaffairs. . . . Hello from VA’s digital team! We are honored to be asked to take over the @rpublicservice account today for #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek to highlight some of the work public servants do at VA each day. Our team is made up of Veterans, Reservists, military family members and civilian public servants who share with, listen to and engage our online followers. In doing so we provide information on VA’s benefits and services, and highlight some of the amazing research and programs happening daily across VA. We hope you enjoy what we have to share with you today. #PSRW #HonoringVets

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[Scroll for more photos] Every day, @deptvetaffairs researchers are doing work that not only impacts Veterans, but also benefits our nation as a whole. VA’s Million Veteran Program is one of the world’s largest genomic databases. It’s a wealth of information researchers can use to study a range of medical issues, such as mental illness, heart and kidney diseases, and even identify genetic risk factors for alcohol and opioid use. So far, more than 560,000 Veterans have donated a sample of blood and provided information with the hope that their contribution might make a difference for all Americans in the future. Helping us get the word out on MVP are Veterans service organizations, such as the @theamericanlegion, who toured the MVP home base in Massachusetts. You can find out more about the work VA employees are doing with MVP at www.research.va.gov/mvp/ #PSRW #HonoringVets #MillionVeteranProgram #VAResearch #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek

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Jimmie Hargrave served in the U.S. Army for over seven years. Today, he’s a foreman at the Baltimore National Cemetery, and oversees the grounds at Loudon, Point Lookout, Congressional and Annapolis National Cemeteries. “One thing I believe in is Veterans taking care of Veterans,” Jimmie says of his work with @deptvetaffairs National Cemetery Administration. NCA’s dedicated public servants maintain approximately 3.5 million gravesites at 135 national cemeteries, one national Veterans’ burial ground and 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites in 41 states and Puerto Rico. Every year, more than 4.8 million people visit a VA national cemetery. Visit www.cem.va.gov for more info. #PSRW #HonoringVets

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Life isn’t always easy after a deployment. That’s where teams at @deptvetaffairs’ Vet Centers – such as these counselors and staff at the Lexington, Kentucky Vet Center – can help. With a dedicated team of social workers and counselors (many Veterans themselves), Vet Centers across the country provide a broad range of counseling, outreach and referral services to combat Veterans and their families. Vet Centers guide Veterans and their families through many of the major adjustments in lifestyle that often occur after a Veteran returns from combat. Services for a Veteran may include individual and group counseling in areas such as #PTSD, alcohol and drug assessment and suicide prevention referrals. All services are free of cost and are strictly confidential. Find out more about what Vet Centers can do for you at www.vetcenter.va.gov. #PSRW #HonoringVets #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek #VetCenter

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[Scroll for more photos] This week, the 31st National Veterans Golden Age Games are taking place in Biloxi, Mississippi. @deptvetaffairs rehabilitation specialists, medical center employees and volunteers are on site cheering on senior athletes in a range of sports – from air rifle to table tennis to horseshoes to track & field events. The event is the premier senior rehabilitation program in the U.S. and the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Visit @vaadaptivesport for more awesome photos! #NVGAG #PSRW #HonoringVets #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek

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[Scroll for photos] To quote @rpublicservice: "Rory Cooper was in the Army serving in Germany when a bicycle accident left him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. That event has shaped his life’s work on behalf of the disabled as a research biomedical engineer." Rory Cooper, Ph.D., directs the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, a collaboration between the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System and the University of Pittsburgh. Yesterday, he was named as a finalist for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, known as the "Sammies." It's one of the most prestigious awards federal public servants can receive. Rory says the need to serve is what motivates him. “My time in the Army drives me to do the work I do,’’ he told the Partnership for Public Service. “I get my energy from the Veterans. If you have the ability to make a difference, you also have an obligation.” Thank you for your service, Rory, and congratulations on being named a #Sammies2017 finalist! #PSRW #HonoringVets #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek

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3 Comments

  1. Partnership for Public Service May 11, 2017 at 13:50

    We had so much fun following along to see how VA is making a difference across the country! Thank you for sharing a behind the scenes look at the agency – happy Public Service Recognition Week!

    • Megan Moloney May 12, 2017 at 13:01

      Sign us up again for next year!

  2. Jennifer bowen May 11, 2017 at 09:27

    Don’t understand it there is no help for Windows of Veterans do they get it we are the one that lost. Are husband Ohio

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