New Orleans Veterans Medical Center

06/10/2026

Veterans,

Lets talk about the Veteran Experience Office.

06/08/2026

Veterans,
Here is the town hall from last week. Thank you.

06/03/2026

Veterans,

Sail 250 in New Orleans started with a Morning Colors Ceremony May 27 and ended with an Evening Colors Ceremony May 31. While both ceremonies had a flyover by a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper helicopter, the evening event was more somber with U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Brass Band playing Taps as the flag was being lowered.

The famous 24-note bugle call is called "Taps" because it originated as a replacement for three drumbeats. Historically, the military used a drum signal—often referred to by soldiers as "Drum Taps"—to signal the end of the day before lights out.

We are humbled and grateful for all the attention the Marines, Sailors and Coastguardsmen showed the Veterans and employees here at the Southeast Veterans Health Care System during Sail 250.

06/02/2026

Sail 250 was awesome! Here is a summary video with the Marine generals moving speech.

06/02/2026

We were honored to be graced again by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Brass Band during Sail 250. We are humbled and grateful for all the attention the Marines, Sailors and Coastguardsmen showed the Veterans and employees here at the Southeast Veterans Health Care System. If you were not able to see them in person here is a clip.

06/01/2026

From Navy Ship to VA Hospital: Prioritizing Service Members Health
By: Eva Dion, Volunteer Staff Writer

Friday, May 29, 25 employees from the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System had the opportunity to tour the United States Ship Kearsarge (LHD-3). This tour was established in order to initiate a discussion comparing and contrasting SLVHCS medical services to those provided on the ship. In turn, SLVHCS hosted Sail 250 sailors to explore the hospital and facilities and learn more about the VA’s services.

The USS Kearsarge is one of the maritime vessels included in the Sail 250 festival that docked in New Orleans. It is a United States Navy amphibious, Wasp-class assault ship that works to transport its Marines and their equipment. Additionally, according to Kearsarge Senior Medical Officer, Commander Tim Brooks, it functions as a floating city that can hold over 3,000 people, as well as a functioning hospital.

SLVHCS medical staff members and administration sought this tour in order to examine how the medical services on the Kearsarge are conducted and to better understand the experiences of their Veterans. SLVHCS Health Systems Specialist Supervisor, Nathan Dion explained his admiration for the work done on the Kearsarge, especially in regard to the ample resources of the VA.

“As civilians, seeing their work environment and what they must go through gives us a better perspective on our Veterans and an appreciation for what we have to work with at SLVHCS. We
have state of the art equipment here that they do not currently have, yet they are still able to provide medical care in the middle of nowhere,” said Dion.

Succeeding the Kearsarge excursion, SLVHCS invited sailors participating in Sail 250 to tour the hospital and visit Veterans in the inpatient unit and the Community Living Center. The group experienced a variety of SLVHCS facilities, including the emergency room and inpatient floors, physical therapy equipment and rehabilitation resources, including the hospital’s therapy dogs.

Navy Hospital Corpsman and Physician Recruiter, Chief Petty Officer Ivan Garcia explained that this visit was educational and especially important for the group of international service members to witness, as they may bring these capabilities back to their home countries and initiate growth. After experiencing the CLC, he expressed his respect and appreciation for the array of services provided by SLVHCS. “You guys do it all, a lot more than I ever even expected. Yeah, you’re in a medical hospital, but this isn’t that hardcore healthcare-feeling floor. It is more of a home,” said Garcia.

Sail 250 was not just about service members from the United States. It was a combined event with ships from the United Kingdom, Chile, Peru, Columbia, Uruguay, Sweden, Netherlands and Buenos Aires.

05/28/2026

Veterans,

SLVHCS Sails into Fleet Week with Morning Colors Event

By: Eva Dion, SLVHCS Volunteer Staff Writer

Yesterday, May 27, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System kicked off their Fleet Week festivities with a Morning Colors event. The ceremony honored the Veterans and Servicemembers through an acknowledgment, a Morning Colors commencement, and a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper gunship flyover. This was the first event of many in SLVHCS weeklong celebration of the Sail 250 porting in New Orleans.

The event opened up with formations of Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. These groups remained staged until the kickoff of a Morning Colors from the United States Navy Ceremonial Band and greetings from U.S. Marine Corps, Lieutenant General Leonard F. Anderson IV, U.S. Marine Corps Forces South commander. Following the USN band sounding First Call, the Mounted Color Guard advanced with the nation’s flag and presented it to Anderson.

Among the attending Veterans was Gladys Hughes, a 102-year-old United States Coast Guard Veteran and the oldest VA Hospital Veteran. Hughes is a World War II Veteran who served with the Coast Guard’s female reserve branch, SPARs. She expressed her appreciation for being at the event today, as it allowed her to represent the Coast Guard once again.

“I have my hat and a symbol of my service on my wall in the bedroom. I see it all the time, and it just reminds me of this time in my life, which was very very special. It is great to be here, because whatever I did, I did because I wanted to be in the service. I love my country, and if they all love my country as much as I love my country, we’re in good shape,” said Hughes.

Alongside Hughes was 75-year-old Navy Veteran, Lawrence J. Winnier Jr. and 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Tristan Walker, the youngest Marine at this event. Walker expressed that, although he has attended this type of ceremony before at “8th & I” Marine Barracks in Washington, he enjoyed participating today in New Orleans beside the elderly Veterans.

“I am very excited for Sail 250 happening this week and I am happy to be a part of this celebration,” said Walker.

Anderson presented Hughes and Walker with the flag and, as it was raised, the USN band performed the National Anthem. At 8:00 a.m., before the flag reached the peak, the U.S Marine Corps Marine Light Attack Helicopter, “Red Dogs”, AH-1Z Viper flew overhead the ceremony.
The event concluded with Anderson and SLHVCS Acting Director and CEO, Jack Gootee, professing their gratitude toward the Servicemembers and Veterans in attendance, followed by a Navy Drill Team performance by five Sailors.

“This was an outstanding event to begin commemorating Sail 250 and the 250th of our birthday. We are honored that the Department of the Navy is able to lead in these celebrations and honor our Veterans and Servicemembers in the process. We will be observing other celebrations going on this week for Sail 250, and we are grateful for the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System for hosting this event and the resources that the VA provides,” said Anderson.

05/27/2026

The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System was the host site for the opening ceremony for Sail 250. If you were not here check out this video.

05/26/2026

Veterans,
Tomorrow, May 27th, the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System will serve as the official kickoff location for Sail 250/Fleet Week. Before the ships arrive downtown, SLVHCS will be the place to be starting at 7:00 a.m.

We will welcome formations of Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, accompanied by both the oldest Veteran(102 year old) and the youngest service members. The Marine Corps and Navy bands will perform ceremonial music, and we will be joined by U.S. Marine Corps Lt. General Leonard Anderson, Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces South.

The ceremony will conclude with a flyover by an AH 1 Cobra Gunship helicopter.

Activities will continue throughout the week, including band performances and service member interactions with team members and patients on the 28th, a facility tour for service members on the 29th, and a Retreat Ceremony on the 31st at 7:00 p.m. in the front circle.

Don’t miss this historic moment. Sail 250 is a once in a lifetime national celebration marking our country’s 250th birthday, and we’re honored to be at the center of its kickoff.

05/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs/posts/1994238817887448/

For some Veterans, opening up about mental health can feel scary. Concerns about stigma or judgment can make it hard to reach out.

This Mental Health Month, hear how others overcame these barriers and gave therapy a chance. https://www.maketheconnection.net/mental-health-month/