A federal Cabinet-level agency that provides integrated life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance; and provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries. While veterans benefits were provided by the Federal Government since the American Revolutionary War, a veteran-specific federal agency was not established until 1930 as Veterans Administration. In 1982, its mission was extended to a fourth mission to provide care to non-veterans and civilians in case of national emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. In 1989 the Veterans Administration became a cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs. As of June 2020, the VA employs 412,892 people at hundreds of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, clinics, benefits offices, and cemeteries.
In 2013, the U.S. Military continues to stand as one of our country’s most respected institutions (https://www.gallup.com/poll/1597/confidence-institutions.aspx). Indian-Americans should be proud to know that their community has produced some of the finest military officers and enlisted personnel over the past 40 years. During my years in the Navy, I’ve been honored to meet many of them – In the U.S., Europe, and even Afghanistan. These individuals, along with the community they represent, have truly become a unique part of the history, legacy, and tradition of America (https://youtu.be/JmO-Jeb_fTU).
In May of 2011, Pratima Dharm became the U.S. Army's first Hindu chaplain. Currently assigned to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
HASC is committed to serving military families and energizing National support for DoD and Veteran issues. HASC has assisted with the development of DoD's first Dharmic Chaplaincy program, to include input on the first Dharmic uniform badges and collecting surveys from military members on the need for Chaplaincy programs. We have also hosted military members and their families at our annual conference, and highlighted the need to provide support for veterans. In Oct 2010, HASC board members held Veteran's day remembrance events at Hindu Temples in Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia. HASC is working with the Military families and with Captain Pratima Dharm to support their needs at the base and is advocating development of more "Seva Centers" in temples for this effort. HASC's goal is to empower the community and address concerns at the local and national levels. As a member of the Odyssey Network, a media organization delivering videos of interfaith news beyond the headlines and inspirational stories of faith in action, HASC is working to accomplish this goal. Here is the voice of the First Hindu Chaplain in the US Army.
http://odysseynetworks.org/video/us-armys-first-hindu-chaplain