Retiree News

Honoring VA’s 95th Birthday

This week, we recognize an important milestone in our history. On July 21, 1930, President Herbert Hoover signed an executive order that created what we now know as the Department of Veterans Affairs. For 95 years, VA has grown, changed, and adapted to better serve those who serve our country.

From its early days to today, VA’s mission has remained clear: to care for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. Every advancement we make, whether it’s new facilities, expanded services, or stronger partnerships—is rooted in that promise.

As we celebrate the VA’s birthday, we recommit ourselves to honoring your service by continuing to improve the care and benefits you have earned.

Growth and Expansion in Guam

At the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS), we proudly serve Veterans across a vast and unique area—from the Hawaiian Islands to American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan.

This week, our outreach event focused on Women Veterans, and it was an honor to visit our dedicated VA teams and local partners in Guam and Saipan. These visits help us stay connected and ensure we meet the needs of our growing Veteran communities.

As more Veterans in Guam choose VA for their health care, we are excited to continue growing with the community. Plans are moving forward for the 2026 Guam VA Annex. The updated facility will provide more space and modern technology to help our teams deliver high-quality, personalized care.

We’re also proud of our ongoing partnerships with the Guam Naval Hospital and trusted community providers, which allow us to connect Veterans with timely and coordinated services.

American Samoa Community Call and Veteran Town Hall

We are excited to announce that we will be holding our Community Call and Veterans Town Hall in American Samoa next month on August 20, 2025, at the American Samoa Veterans Memorial. Starting at 10am, our dedicated staff will be available to assist Veterans with health care enrollment, obtaining VA ID cards, and answering any questions you may have.

The Town Hall will take place from 5pm to 6pm, providing a valuable opportunity for you to meet with VAPIHCS and local clinic leadership, voice your concerns, get your questions answered, and learn about some of the exciting improvements coming to the American Samoa CBOC. We encourage you to join us and participate in this important event to help shape the future of Veteran care in your community.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie

The Olympic Stadium in Barcelona was alive with energy on the day of the 400-meter semifinals. British sprinter Derek Redmond, a favorite to medal, had endured years of pain and five surgeries, including one on his Achilles tendon just months before the Games. His Olympic dreams were previously shattered at the 1988 Seoul Games when he tore his Achilles an hour before the race.

In Barcelona, Redmond started strong, posting the fastest preliminary time and winning his quarterfinal heat. However, 150 meters into the semifinals, disaster struck. Redmond grimaced and collapsed onto the track, having torn his hamstring. Determined, Redmond stood up. Limping in pain, he continued to hobble towards the finish line, each step more agonizing than the last. Years of struggle and triumph were crystallized into one moment. The crowd of 65,000 began to cheer in support. From the stands, Jim Redmond, Derek’s father, saw his son’s struggle and, acting on his fatherly instincts, barged past Olympic officials to reach his son on the track. Derek collapsed into his father’s arms, and together, arm in arm, they made their way down the homestretch, step by painful step.

The crowd’s cheers were not for the winner, but for Derek’s courage and perseverance. Crossing the finish line, Derek’s story became a symbol of determination and resilience. It was not an Olympic victory, but a triumph of perseverance.

We all face our own races with unique paths and goals. Despite our best efforts, obstacles and discouraging circumstances may arise, tempting us to give up. But Derek Redmond’s story teaches us that winning isn’t just about coming in first place; it’s about the courage to continue despite setbacks. Greatness is not only seen in dramatic feats of victory. Rather, greatness is more commonly seen in showing up and putting forth our best effort daily, regardless of hindrances. Redmond didn’t win the race, but he defeated discouragement. He didn’t beat his opponents, but he did overcome self-defeat.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt is attributed with once saying, “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.”

Let’s resolve to stay the course and achieve quiet victories each day.

---

The State of Hawaii, Department of Defense (HIDOD)’ Retiree News does not endorse any of the external hyperlinks listed or posted on this site. This includes linked websites, information, products, or services contained therein. We are a government run website for which transparency and accountability are paramount. HIDOD cannot have the appearance of endorsement and are bound by the HIDOD Social Media Policy concerning political posts being respectful, honest, and accurate. Operational Security will additionally be adhered to. Retiree News does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at linked sites. Some of the sites linked to may limit the number of stories you can access without a paid subscription. All links were provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the HIDOD’s version of Retiree News.