 ***WATCH VIDEO HERE***
WHIOTV 7--Hundreds of people lined the hallways of the Dayton International Airport to welcome home Veterans as they returned from their Honor Flight.
This was the second Honor Flight out of Dayton this year. For Veterans who take the trip to Washington, D.C., they say it’s a life-changing experience.
“Everyone should go. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said U.S. Navy Veteran David Shade.
Shade served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1969. He took his Honor Flight last year and came out on Saturday to welcome home his friends and fellow Veterans.“Last year when I went on it, we flew one of them big cargo planes from the Air Force. We probably had 3,000 people show up for it,” said Shade.
He said he would serve all over again, saying the 50 stars and 13 stripes were all about. “It’s always been something to me, that’s... You know, you’re American, and that’s part of being American,” Shade said.
The trips to the nation’s capital would not be possible without the help of volunteers.
Jose Trejo said that this mission was personal. “I know what these guys did and these gals did, and this is the one thing that I volunteer for,” he said.
Trejo said the warm welcome home is decades late. “You see them crying because they’re finally being received home by a loving country. That’s not what they got back then. And that’s what makes me cry. And I’m not ashamed to admit it,” he said.
For those who take the Honor Flight as Shade did, stepping into the National Mall and coming back home once more gives their service the happy ending they never guaranteed.
Thursday was the committal service for Veterans Sgt Kevin G. Catching U.S. Army, and Seaman Floyd C. Beason, U.S. Navy, at the Dayton National Cemetery. The community came out to render these Veterans their final salute. We are thankful for these Veterans' service and to those who joined us in honoring them.
The rain couldn’t keep people away from honoring our nation’s heroes for National Day of Service Saturday. Dozens of all ages showed up to clean headstones in the oldest part of the Dayton National Cemetery. Associate Director Brian Hays was also in attendance. Thanks to all who participated to pay respect to Veterans and take part in saying each name aloud.
The 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 was observed at the Dayton VA with reverence Friday. Announcements were made in the morning recounting the events and calling for moments of silence. All announcements were read by post-9/11 Veterans. Staff also passed out lapel pins to Veterans in remembrance of the meaning of today and to thank them for their service.
A group of 60 from the Delaware County Master Gardener Association toured the Grotto Gardens Thursday. The rain held off to allow them to learn more about the history, various plants, and how the volunteers managed to restore and maintain the beauty of the gardens.
Our Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) no longer schedule appointments for lab draws. They are done on a walk-in basis only, like at the main campus. Our new Electronic Health Record (EHR) doesn't allow appointment scheduling for lab procedures. Only LPNs perform functions related to lab procedures. We are hiring more LPNs to reduce wait times for blood draws. Veterans needing labs that do not require fasting are encouraged to arrive later in the morning to minimize waiting.
The Virtual Health Resource Center (VHRC) has extended walk-in hours and days available for Veterans.
Tuesday 9:00am-2:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-2:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-2:00pm
Friday Appointment only (CBOC locations when needed)
 Please consider joining the Dayton VA WalkALS Team and walk in support of Dayton VA Veterans with ALS and honor those who have passed.
When: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Check-in: 9:30am
Ceremony: 10:45am
Walk begins at 11:00am
(Meet at the Dayton VA table at 10:40am if you would like to walk with the team)
Where: Oak Grove Park
1790 E Social Row Rd.
Washington Twp, OH 45458
Walk Route Length (1.5 miles)
Visit https://secure.alsohio.org/site/TR?fr_id=1180&pg=entry to join the Dayton VA WalkALS Team.
- Select “Find A Team”
- Select “Search for a team”
- Type in “Dayton VA”
- Select “Join Team”
If you have any questions or know of a Veteran with ALS, please contact Julia Prince at 937-268-6511 x2618.
September is Suicide Prevention Month. The Safety Plan app helps Veterans identify suicide warning signs, build coping strategies, and connect with trusted sources of support before a crisis happens.
Download the Safety Plan app: mobile.va.gov/app/safety-plan
Save the date for Thursday, September 24th for an event on campus for Suicide Prevention Month. See flyer for more details.
The annual Stand Down will be held Friday, October 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in the theater and multipurpose room of building 305. See flyer for details.
The goal of MOVE! is to empower Veterans and enhance their confidence to make healthy behavior, nutrition, and physical activity changes that support even small weight losses and weight self-management.
 ***Click here for more information on the program: https://www.move.va.gov/ Veterans interested in the program can call extension (937) 268-6511 ext.1699.
The Farmers Market is every Thursday through October 15th from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the picnic pavilion. The food trucks scheduled for this week are: Frozen Fox, Buckeye Burgers, Hell Belly Burritos, and Steak and Cakes.
The Farmers Market is open to the public.
Veterans are encouraged to use Direct Deposit to get payments faster and safer.
We are more than two months in with the new Electronic Health Record (EHR). We are still going through some growing pains, including with delays in answering phone calls. We appreciate your patience as we continue this transition. These changes are designed to improve coordination and continuity of care for Veterans. If you get your healthcare here, thank you for trusting Dayton VA with your healthcare.
A free monthly fitness program at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
See flyer below for more details.
The Women Overcoming & Winning (W.O.W.) social group meets the first Monday of each month. The next meeting will be, October TBD, from 6:00-7:30pm in building 305. Women Veterans are encouraged to attend.
A free monthly program is live every Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM.
See flyer below for more details.
The next Coffee Club meeting will be on Tuesday, October 13th. Dayton VA Medical Center Outreach Team will be in attendance. See information below.
 Less scroll, more soul. Taking time away from screens can help you reconnect with what matters most: your health, your relationships, and your daily life. Spirit and soul are an important part of your well-being. What helps you reconnect?
***Click here for more information: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/spirit-soul.asp
 Dayton VA Veterans, staff and retirees have free access to more than 100 live, online Ompractice classes weekly, an on-demand video library & new programming every month.
**Click here for video library: https://app.ompractice.com/videos
Register with Ompractice for free: https://app.ompractice.com/veteransaffairs
Veterans, if you can't make your appointment, call and cancel so another Veteran can take it.
The Coffee Hour and 12 Step Meetings are offered by Mental Health to all Veterans in recovery, even if not engaged with Mental Health.
Open to active duty, Veterans, National Guard, Reservist and widowed families. Thursdays 10am - 2pm and Mondays 6pm - 8pm.
See details below.
 Weight cannot measure worth. Learn how to compassionately redefine progress and explore non‑scale ways to track health. Seeing a VA dietitian can be the next step!
https://www.nutrition.va.gov/NUTRITION/docs/UpdatedPatientEd/WaystoMeasureProgressWithoutScale.pdf#
The Dayton VAMC now has a Medical Legal Partnership (MLP) with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO). They will be offering civil legal services for all Veterans that qualify. They will be on site every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 2pm in Building 409, first floor, Homeless Program. Walk-ins are welcome or they can reach out directly to LAWO by phone at (888) 534-1432 or online at www.legalaidline.org.
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