VA Portland Health Care System serves more than 95,000 Veterans a year across most of Oregon and SW
12/13/2025
After the loss of a Veteran, families may receive suspicious calls, texts, or emails about VA benefits.
Scammers often target survivors during this difficult time. Deputy Secretary, Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D. shares practical tips to help survivors protect themselves:
• Contact VA directly at 1-800-827-1000 with any questions
• Safeguard DD214s and military records
• Create and use a VA.gov account
• Avoid clicking on links in texts or emails
• Do not share personal information
• Review documents carefully
Be vigilant, especially in times of bereavement, and know that VA is here to support you.
What started out humbly 26 years ago as one man’s desire to honor Veterans by placing a wreath at some gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery has grown into a nationwide event known as Wreaths Across America.
This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Join the more than two million volunteers and supporters who will gather to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 5,200 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.
To find out more, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ #:~:text=This%20year%2C%20National%20Wreaths%20Across,states%2C%20at%20sea%20and%20abroad.
Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 5,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. Help us by sponsoring Veterans....
12/12/2025
Starting December 4, 2025, enrolled women Veterans can now schedule VA gynecology appointments without needing a referral from primary care. For facilities without GYN providers, care can be accessed through interfacility agreements, virtual care, or VA community-based care, if appropriate.
This initiative, directed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (SECVA), is designed to improve access and enhance the care experience for women Veterans.
On this day, December 12, in 1874, Hawaiian King David Kalakaua is the first monarch to visit the United States as a guest of President Ulysses S. Grant at the first state dinner held at the White House.
King Kalakaua, a true patron of the arts, was best known for his revival of ancient Hawaiian customs, language, music, chant, and for his statesmanship. He is also known for having built the only royal palace in the United States; Iolani Palace, which featured electric lighting designed by Thomas Edison himself.
He had tea with the Queen, was blessed by the Pope and spread Hawaiian culture across the globe. More than a century later, a festival dubbed the "Olympics of hula" honours his legacy.
12/11/2025
Since 2022, VA has awarded $210 million to community-based organizations across the nation to help prevent Veteran su***de.
In this episode of Glad You Asked, Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., answers a common question from service members: “Can I apply for benefits before I leave the military?”
He explains how early application works, why timing matters, and how this connects to programs like Benefits Delivery at Discharge to ensure benefits are ready upon separation.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, and each year VA diagnoses approximately 4,000 new cases of it. VA remains committed to improving colorectal cancer outcomes for all Veterans by increasing screening and access to care.
Cancer screening is in VA’s comprehensive approach to cancer care. In some cases, it can prevent cancer from developing entirely or detect it at an early stage when treatment is most effective. During the first week of December, VA is leveraging this national awareness campaign to help educate and inspire Veterans near your facility to talk to their provider about cancer screening.
Behavioral family therapy helps Veterans diagnosed with bipolar disorder and their families build stronger communication and problem-solving skills. Want to learn more about how your family can benefit?
Visit Mentalhealth.va.gov/bipolar/treatment.asp
12/10/2025
Navigating life’s challenges after service isn’t always easy, but you’re not alone. Many Veterans have faced similar obstacles and found a path forward.
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.
When the General Assembly adopted the Declaration, it was proclaimed as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations", towards which individuals and societies should "strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance".
To learn more about this observance, and to read through the list of Human Rights, visit
The UN Human Rights Office and the mechanisms we support work on a wide range of human rights topics. Learn more about each topic, see who's involved, and find the latest news, reports, events and more.
12/09/2025
Before he was Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and Judge Smails in "Caddyshack," Ted Knight was a combat engineer in World War II.
Born Tadeusz Wladyslaw Konopka on Dec. 7, 1923, in Terryville, Connecticut, Knight was raised in a working-class Polish-American family. As a boy, he stuttered and was bullied for his thick accent and gangly frame. He took refuge in mimicking radio voices, particularly broadcasters Lowell Thomas and Edward R. Murrow.
His mimicry paid off. His parish priest once told his mother that her son had “the voice of a bishop, but the soul of a prankster.”
International Day of Veterinary Medicine is celebrated on December 9 every year. It recognizes the important work done by organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) whose vision and mission is to promote a strong and unified veterinary sector that can protect animal as well as human health and welfare.
Learn more about animal health and welfare by visiting the American Veterinary Medical Association's page:
Veterinarians and veterinary teams are committed to protecting the health and welfare of animals. AVMA has many tools and resources to help.
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In November 1921 a hospital for Veterans was opened by the United States Public Health Service in Portland, Oregon.
On May 1, 1922 it was transferred from the Public Health Service to the United States Veterans’ Bureau.
The land for the Portland Campus was donated in 1926 by the regents of the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital after they received the entire Marquam Hill property from Mrs. C.S. Jackson.
The first 15 buildings were completed and dedicated in 1929.
In 1932 the New Administration building was built.
In 1935 building 4 was renovated.
13 temporary (Quonset huts) were added from 1946-48.
In 1948 the Veterans Administration launched a $3 million hospital addition on Marquam Hill in Sam Jackson Park for a seven-story 155 bed tuberculosis hospital. The tuberculosis Hospital, Building 25, was completed in 1949.
In 1955 the Oregon VA Hospitals went through modernization.
The Construction of the U.S. Army Hospital by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was completed in 1940.
The hospital was dedicated and named after General Joseph K. Barnes, MD, Surgeon General in 1941.
Barnes General Hospital opened and the first patient was admitted in 1941.
In 1945 Twenty-Three German Prisoner’s of War (POWs) were transferred to the Barnes General Hospital as a labor battalion.
In 1946 Barnes General Hospital was reduced from 1502 to 100 beds, and the staff was cut from 1056 to 126 staff members. The name was changed to the Vancouver Barracks Station Hospital, as ownership was transferred to the Veterans Administration; opening the doors on August 1, 1946 in Vancouver, Washington.
In 1957 the Vancouver Hospital was separated from the Portland VA Hospital
