The Fargo VA Health Care System and Veterans Benefits Administration will host a Veterans Town Hall and Claims Clinic on March 15 in the Fargo VA Medical Center’s (2101 Elm St. N., Fargo) third floor auditorium. The Town Hall, free and open to both Veterans and the public, will be hosted by the Fargo VA HCS Director, Lavonne Liversage, and the Director of the VBA’s Dakotas Regional Office, Shawn Bohn. The Town Hall will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CST. The purpose of the Town Hall is to share information, hear feedback, and answer questions about VA health care and benefits. All Veterans, their family members, and any organization or individual who works with or on behalf of Veterans is encouraged to attend the town hall. VA health care and benefits professionals will be on hand to help answer questions. A Claims Clinic will be held prior to the Town Hall from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. CST. During the Claims Clinic, Veterans can submit claims for compensation benefits and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. Secure electronic access to Veteran benefit records will be available, and participants can ask questions on compensation claims and available benefits. For more information, call the Fargo VA HCS Public Affairs office at (701) 239-3724.

Become an In-Home Respite VA Caregiver Support Volunteer Today! - We’re recruiting for Fargo and Grand Forks Areas - Respite services allow caregivers short periods of time away from their Veteran loved one to help renew their energy and spirit. The In-Home Respite VA Caregiver Support Volunteer Program needs VA Volunteers who will: - Provide companionship to a Veteran in the home while their caregiver has some needed rest from their caregiving duties. - Provide “worry free time away” for a Veteran caregiver, for periods of 2 – 4 hours, once per week. - Respite services allow caregivers short periods of time away from their loved one to help renew their energy and spirit. What do our In-Home Respite VA Caregiver Support Volunteers do? - Provide support for the Veteran caregiver. - Provide family/caregivers an additional link to VA Health Care System assistance and companionship for the Veteran in their home. - Engage Veterans in simple activities while visiting, including: *Play cards *Watch TV *Do puzzles *Crafts *Take walks *Talk/reminisce For more information about becoming an In-Home Respite VA Caregiver Support Volunteer, contact our Caregiver Support Coordinators at (701) 239-3700 extension 3786 or 4507.

Come to the Fargo VA for our next Veteran Orientation on March 6, 2018, to learn about all the services the Fargo VA Health Care System has to offer. The orientation will take place in our 3rd floor auditorium. All Veterans and their family members are welcome to attend. Feel free to bring a guest. The orientation begins at 3 p.m., but optional tours will also be provided before the orientation at 2 p.m. Tours will start near the main entrance. Come check us out!

Please join us at the Fargo VA Medical Center for our “Whole Health – Eat Well, Be Well” discussion and cooking demonstration, the 2nd Thursday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. beginning March 8. Check in at room 2E-13; class is in room 2E-25. This event is open to all Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. Healthy eating and cooking can seem intimidating, but the Fargo VA is here to help! Join us for discussions on healthy eating and cooking demonstrations. If you have questions, call 701-239-3700 dial 9 then extension 3629.

The new Bemidji VA Clinic, located at 1217 Anne St., Bemidji, MN, is now fully operational and open to Veterans! All appointments will now take place at the new clinic. If you have questions about any appointments you have scheduled at the Bemidji VA Clinic, you can call the clinic at (218) 755-6360. Spread the word to the Veterans you know around Beltrami County!

If you’re trying to leave dip, chew, or snuff behind, there’s no time like the present. Feb. 22 is the Great American #SpitOut! Learn more about VA resources to help you quit.

VA has many resources and guides, but Veterans are still telling us “Where do I start?” So, we developed this simple kit to show you exactly how to use the benefits and services you’ve earned.

Come to the Fargo VA for our next Veteran Orientation on March 6, 2018, to learn about all the services the Fargo VA Health Care System has to offer. The orientation will take place in our 3rd floor auditorium. All Veterans and their family members are welcome to attend. Feel free to bring a guest. The orientation begins at 3 p.m., but optional tours will also be provided before the orientation at 2 p.m. Tours will start near the main entrance. Come check us out!

Start planning your life without tobacco - join the Great American Spit Out today and build your quit plan! Resources to stop dip, chew, or snuff are just a phone call away. Call Quit VET at 1-855-784-8838 to speak with a counselor and start your tobacco-free journey. #SpitOut

The Fargo VA Health Care System and Veterans Benefits Administration will host a Veterans Town Hall and Claims Clinic on March 15 in the Fargo VA Medical Center’s (2101 Elm St. N., Fargo) third floor auditorium. The Town Hall, free and open to both Veterans and the public, will be hosted by the Fargo VA HCS Director, Lavonne Liversage, and the Director of the VBA’s Dakotas Regional Office, Shawn Bohn. The Town Hall will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CST. The purpose of the Town Hall is to share information, hear feedback, and answer questions about VA health care and benefits. All Veterans, their family members, and any organization or individual who works with or on behalf of Veterans is encouraged to attend the town hall. VA health care and benefits professionals will be on hand to help answer questions. A Claims Clinic will be held prior to the Town Hall from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. CST. During the Claims Clinic, Veterans can submit claims for compensation benefits and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. Secure electronic access to Veteran benefit records will be available, and participants can ask questions on compensation claims and available benefits. For more information, call the Fargo VA HCS Public Affairs office at (701) 239-3724.

Congratulations to these artists for claiming first place in their artistic categories during our recent Veterans Creative Arts Festival! These works will be submitted to be considered for the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 29-Nov. 5. 1 – Best in Show: Watercolor – Wayne Grindberg ‘End of the Line’ 2 – Black and White Photography – Ken Andersen 3 – Acrylic Painting – Harry Moshier ‘Shelterbelt Roosters’ 4 – Oil Painting – Paul Bonaime 5 – Monochromatic Drawing – Wayne Grindberg ‘DL Church’ 6 – Woodworking – Ken Andersen 7 – Color Photography – Ken Andersen 8 – Carving – Ed Halbert 9 – Scroll Saw/Fretwork – Joseph Valentine ‘Out of the Shadows – Leopard’ 10 – Original Design in Pyrography – Harry Moshier ‘18th Birthday’ 11 – Mosaic – Dave Seifert ‘Freedom Will Prevail’ 12 – Military Combat Experience – Wayne Grindberg ‘U.S. Eagle’ 13 – Sculpture – David LeCount ‘Bamboo Sculpture’