VVASC

Free Meta Smart Glasses for Blind and Low-Vision Veterans

Meta has partnered with the American Council of the Blind to provide Meta smart glasses at no cost to eligible veterans who are blind or have low vision. The Palmetto Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, is coordinating four distribution events across South Carolina.

Would you please share this information with the South Carolina State Council, local VVA chapters, members, veterans, families, and community partners? We would also appreciate its inclusion in your newsletter, website, email lists, or social media.

MYRTLE BEACH

Tuesday, October 13, 2026
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Tidal Creek Brewhouse
3421 Knoles Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

COLUMBIA

Friday, October 16, 2026
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
South Carolina Commission for the Blind
1430 Confederate Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201

GREER

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Fairview Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
1300 Locust Hill Road
Greer, SC 29651

NORTH CHARLESTON

Thursday, October 22, 2026
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department
4360 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29405

WHO QUALIFIES?

Recipients must:

Be a U.S. military veteran
Self-attest that they are blind or have low vision
Provide proof of military service or veteran status
Have a compatible smartphone capable of operating the Meta AI app
Attend a distribution event in person

WHAT SHOULD VETERANS BRING?

Proof of military service, such as a DD214, VA ID, military ID, or other official documentation
The compatible smartphone they plan to use with the glasses
A fully charged phone
Their Apple Account or Google Account login information

Veterans are encouraged to download the Meta AI app before attending. Proof of military service will be viewed only to verify eligibility and will not be copied or retained.

Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Veterans can register and find additional information at:

https://www.acb.org/glasses-blinded-veterans

Glasses must be received in person and cannot be shipped. Only one pair may be provided to each eligible veteran.

VVA chapters near the four event locations are also invited to participate by providing volunteers or hosting a resource table. This would be an opportunity to share information about VVA membership, benefits, programs, and other resources with veterans and their families.

It sounds like a good deal for people who are Blind/low vision. Time is Limited.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September. It honors those who were prisoners of war (POWs) and those who are still missing in action (MIA). It is most associated with those who were POWs during the Vietnam War. National Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29, the date in 1973 when the last US combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam. There are more than American service members remain unaccounted for from the conflicts, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

WWII -71,688

Korean War - 7,359

Vietnam War - 1,565

Cold War - 126

"YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN"

11 September 2001

The September 11 attacks, colloquially known as 9/11, were a coordinated series of suicide attacks perpetrated by the Islamic terrorist organization al-Qaeda against the United States in 2001. A total of 19 terrorists hijacked four airliners, flying one into each of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City. The third plane crashed into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington County, Virginia. The fourth plane crashed in a rural field in Pennsylvania during a passenger revolt. In response to the attacks, the United States launched the Global War on Terror, seeking to eliminate hostile groups deemed terrorist organizations and the governments purported to support them. This foreign policy agenda was conducted over the next two decades. The attacks killed 2,977 people, injured thousands more, and gave rise to long-term health consequences while causing at least US $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack in history, as well as the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement personnel in American history, killing 343 and 72 members, respectively. The crashes of Flight 11 and Flight 175 were the deadliest aviation disasters of all time, and the collision of Flight 77 with the Pentagon resulted in the fourth-highest number of ground fatalities in a plane crash in history. The destruction of the World Trade Center and its environs seriously harmed the U.S. economy and induced global market shocks. Many other countries strengthened anti-terrorism legislation and expanded their powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The total number of deaths caused by the attacks, combined with the death tolls from the conflicts they directly incited, has been estimated by the Costs of War Project to be more than 4.5 million.

Cleanup of the World Trade Center site (colloquially known as "Ground Zero") was completed in May 2002, while the Pentagon was repaired within a year. After delays in the design of a replacement complex, six new buildings were planned to replace the lost towers at the World Trade Center site, along with a museum and memorial dedicated to those who were killed or injured in the attacks. The tallest building, One World Trade Center, began construction in 2006 and opened in 2014. Memorials to the attacks include the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City; the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia; and the Flight 93 National Memorial at the Pennsylvania crash site.

LET'S NEVER FORGET!

Happy 250 Birthday America

This July 4th 2026 marks a moment unlike any other in our history the 250th birthday of the United States of America. A quarter‑millennium ago, a group of determined patriots declared that the people of this land would govern themselves, that liberty would be their birthright, and that the promise of a better future would belong to every generation willing to defend it.

Two hundred and fifty years later, that promise still stands.

This anniversary is more than a celebration of the past. It is a tribute to the millions of Americans who carried the nation forward — farmers and factory workers, teachers and first responders, service members and veterans, families who built communities, and leaders who shaped the course of history. It is a reminder that the strength of the United States has always come from its people.

From Lexington and Concord to the moon landing, from the struggles we endured to the triumphs we achieved, America’s story is one of courage, innovation, sacrifice, and hope. We honor the generations who fought to preserve freedom, expand opportunity, and ensure that the ideals written in 1776 continue to guide us today.

As we celebrate the Semiquincentennial, we look not only backward with gratitude but forward with purpose. The next chapter of America’s story will be written by us — by our commitment to unity, our respect for one another, and our determination to keep the flame of liberty burning bright.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the world witnessed the birth of a nation founded on an idea. Today, we celebrate that idea still alive, still powerful, and still worth defending.

Happy 250th Birthday, America — may we continue to honor the past, strengthen the present, and inspire the future.

Safe Travel Act

TSA Pre Check

On January 4, 2025, the VETS (Veterans Expedited TSA Screening) Safe Travel Act (Public Law 118-238) was signed into law, which allows certain Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities to receive TSA PreCheck enrollment at no cost. Under this law, a Veteran is eligible for free TSA Pre-Check enrollment if they meet the following minimum requirements: 1) Are enrolled in the VA healthcare system; 2) Have a service-connected disability that resulted in the loss or loss of use of a limb, paralysis or partial paralysis, or permanent blindness; and 3) Require the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other device to assist with mobility because of that service-connected disability. What’s Next: If you wish to take advantage of this benefit, please visit the links below for information.

TSA Pre-Check Additional Information

For detailed instructions on completing your enrollment. You must provide a copy of this letter during the TSA Pre-Check enrollment process.

Important: In addition to meeting the minimum eligibility requirements under the above VETS Safe Travel Act, you must meet TSA’s standard citizenship and security requirements, including a background check. Veterans may be ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and other factors. TSA shall waive the enrollment fee subject to availability of funds. Please note that this letter is not a determination of entitlement for VA compensation or any other benefit under title 38 of the United States Code. TSA Pre-Check VETS Safe is program of the Transportation Security Administration. Additional Information: · For information about TSA Pre-Check, visit the below Links. Or Call 1- 866-289-9673. · For questions related to VETS Safe Travel Act eligibility, visit

South Carolina State Council

Welcome to the South Carolina State Council web page. The primary function of the State Council is to provide management guidance and administrative support for the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) chapters within the State. In addition, the Council may from time to time be responsible for various state wide initiatives. The council is comprised of representatives (or delegates) from each of the chapters plus a representative from the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA).

The AVVA Inc.is a 501(c)3 corporation whose main object is to support Veterans and their families, as well as the families of our active military personnel. We are a National, nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to advancing the awareness of issues affecting Veterans, their families and their communities. AVVA is made up of Veterans of all eras, families and friends of Veterans and all persons who support Veterans' issues. For more information on the AVVA go to www.avva.org

The Council meets three times a year on the second Sunday of the months of February, June and October. This is a change to the bylaws approved by the State Council in June 2019. Anyone and everyone are welcome to attend our "always open " meetings (there may be times to invoke executive session, but that is rare.)

The State Council has three meeting a year, February, June, and October.

Dues are now $50 for life membership only.

Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America is the only National Vietnam Veterans Organization Congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA is organized as a not-for-profit corporation and is tax exempt under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

GOALS: VVA's goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam Veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans and to change public perception of Vietnam Veterans.

About Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

VVA'S FOUNDING PRINCIPLE: "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."

ORGANIZATION;

The National BOD consists of four officers, 10 at-large directors, and 9 regional directors representing each of the regions. The National AVVA president also sits on the BOD as a non-voting special adviser. South Carolina falls in the seven-state mid-Atlantic region, Region III. The director for the current term is Rossie Nance NC State Council President. Each state or territory with at least three chapters may elect to have a state council and there are currently 48 state councils, including Puerto Rico. The presidents of each state elects one member from among them to sit on the Conference of State Council Presidents. They are the voice of the membership and have a seat on the National Board. They provide opinions and recommendations of the membership to the board and it respond. See Section 11 of art 1 of the Constitution.

Vietnam Veterans of America

Below is a synopsis of the March 13th Press Release on Jack’s testimony. Our new Government Affairs Director (Our Chief Lobbyist) will meet us at our upcoming CSCP. He appears awesome. A simplified listing of what Jack testified to in March follows for your info. Sam Brick, Chair
Synopsis of VVA Legislative Program that President Mc Manus testified to before the Congressional Veterans’ Affairs See the April 3d Press Release (No. 24-2) for fuller descriptions.

VVA Legislative Program as President Mc Manus testified before the Congressional Veterans’ Affairs

Fully fund the Defense POW/MIA Agency to account for the 1,577MIA’s.
Honor Tom Corey by naming the West Palm Beach Medical Center after him.
Pass Donut Dolly Congressional Gold medal.
Hold an oversight hearing of Toxic Exposure with the VA Secretary as star witness.
Amend Blue Water Act to extend the 12-mile limit to include Marines and Navy personnel who were assigned to the RVN Theater of combat ops or who got the Vietnam Service Medal.
Research pre-Gulf War burn pit use. This would also fix the PACT Act that excluded vets in locations other than Middle East and West Asia.
Close oversight of implementation of the Pact Act for review of how funding is used and to ensure it is for veterans and their families.
Get the VA to execute the Fort McClelland epidemiological study under the Pact Act.
Pass the Major Richard Star Act to allow combat disabled to receive both retired pay and disability pay simultaneously.
Reinstate the 48-hour review for VA disability claims.
Authorize VA disability compensation for incarcerated vets with balance due over 10% put in an escrow fund until the vet gets released.
Get South Korea to agree for payments so the Korean American Valor Act can get started.
Amend the Puerto Rican Tax Code to get more healthcare workers. 63.9% of PR vets are over 65 and need healthcare.
Order the VA to reinstitute physician assistants as mental health treatment providers at VA hospitals.

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 then and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available. .

Women Veterans Crisis Line

Call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) or use the online chat feature. Women Veterans Call Center representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays. If you contact the Women Veterans Call Center after hours and leave a message, you will receive a return call the next day the call center is open..