The House overwhelmingly passed a $480.9 billion budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction and other programs for fiscal 2027 that included full funding for veterans health care and benefits. The bill, which also provides appropriations for veterans-related agencies such as the American Battle Monuments Commission and Arlington National Cemetery, includes nearly $450 billion for the VA in fiscal 2027, a 3% increase from fiscal 2026 but lower than President Donald Trump’s request of $488 billion.The bill was the first appropriations legislation to clear the House this year, in a 400-15 vote May 15 that Rep. John Carter, R-Tex., called a “testament to America’s commitment to taking care of the men and women who have bravely worn the uniform.” “I want every service member and veteran to know that this bill has their back,” said Carter, chairman of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee.The bill includes $324 billion in mandatory spending for the VA that covers health care and benefits and $137.8 billion for discretionary spending, roughly 2% higher than the fiscal 2026 amount but significantly lower than Trump’s request of $205.6 billion for discretionary funds. The White House had asked to shift mandatory funds marked for injuries or illnesses related to toxic exposures — roughly $52 billion — to the discretionary budget, but the committee rejected the idea.Lawmakers have expressed concerns that the use of those mandatory dollars, from the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, would jeopardize the fund’s intended use for veterans sickened by environmental pollutants.The bill provides $19.7 billion for military construction projects, including $2.1 billion for the Army; $5.5 billion for the Navy and Marine Corps; $3.7 billion for the Air Force; $3.8 billion Defense Department-wide and additional funding for the National Guard and Reserve components. The bill also includes a provision that would cement the VA’s decision to halt notifications to the Justice Department of a veteran’s inability to manage his or her finances — a situation that precluded veterans with fiduciaries from owning guns.VA restores gun rights to some disabled veterans The Senate still must craft its own version of the bill, referred to as the MilConVA bill. The subcommittee responsible for the legislation jump-started that process in separate hearings April 30 and May 14 on the president’s budget proposals.During those hearings, senators appeared supportive of the VA budget request and sought affirmation from VA officials that the department use the funds judiciously for health care, claims processing and other veterans services.Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., ranking member of the Senate Appropriations MilConVA subcommittee, called the budget proposals “important investments” in the department.But he expressed concerns about whether the VA had sufficient numbers of physicians and nurses and noted that the budget calls for significant increases for care at private facilities covered by the VA and less of an increase for health care at VA hospitals and clinics.“The department’s own public facing data shows that outcome for veterans are either the same or better for direct VA care compared to privatized outside care,” Ossoff told VA Secretary Doug Collins in the April 30 hearing.VA shuttering underperforming clinics, addressing leadership shortcomings at othersCollins testified Thursday before the House MilCon Appropriations Subcommittee, six days after the House passed its proposed bill.Collins said that conflicts and the approval process prevented him from testifying until May 21, although earlier in the deliberation process, House Democrats had successfully amended the legislation to withhold 25% of the secretary’s office budget until he testified.“Our veterans do not deserve that kind of uncertainty and lack of transparency,” said the subcommittee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida.Collins praised the committee for the legislation’s passage and called changes at the VA since he has taken office a “tale of two cities.” He said in the past year the VA has announced a restructuring, instituted a manning document, reduced its disability claims backlog, restarted its VA electronic health records system program and reduced appointment wait times.VA hospitals earn top marks in federal review“The VA will never be perfect and neither will its budget, but we are always going to work together to make sure one thing is true: Veterans are always going to come first at the VA,” Collins said.The Senate is expected to roll out its MilConVA appropriations bill this summer.

When companies look for corporate volunteer opportunities, they often want something that is hands-on, meaningful, and easy for everyone to participate in. The best projects create a sense of connection among employees while producing something tangible that will make a real difference in someone’s life. Making No-Sew Blankets checks every box. With just fleece fabric, scissors, and a little teamwork, employees can create warm, handmade blankets that are distributed to Veteran patients in VA hospitals. These blankets provide more than physical warmth. They deliver comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that someone cares. This article is the first in our Corporate Engagement Series, highlighting simple ways businesses can turn team-building events into acts of service. Why No-Sew Blankets Are Perfect for Corporate Events Some volunteer activities require specialized skills or extensive planning. No-Sew Blankets are different because anyone can make one. No sewing experience is required, and employees of all ages and abilities can participate. Whether your company is organizing a lunchtime service project, an annual day of giving, a holiday event, or a leadership retreat, No-Sew Blankets offer a fun and inclusive opportunity to work together for a meaningful cause. The activity naturally encourages conversation and collaboration. Employees pair up to cut and tie the fleece, share stories, and connect around a common purpose. By the end of the event, each participant can see the direct result of their efforts and know that a Veteran or Service Member will receive something made by hand with gratitude and care. A Blanket Can Mean More Than You Imagine Hospitals can be cold and sitting alone in a room can feel isolating. For Veterans receiving treatment, a handmade blanket can provide comfort during a difficult time. Soldiers’ Angels volunteers have received heartfelt messages from recipients years after they were given a blanket, sharing that it became a cherished possession and a reminder that their service was appreciated. Most blankets are hand-delivered to Veteran patients in VA hospitals nationwide, though some are also provided to wounded Service Members, deployed troops, and Military families. “Today I am sitting in the infusion clinic at the Palo Alto VA and in come two gentlemen handing out beautiful quilts and beanies. My quilt is a gorgeous olive green knitted quilt and I absolutely love it. The veteran sitting next to me received a red, white, and blue quilt and he is so touched by the kindness of the volunteers. I am grateful and touched by such kindness. A simple thank you is not nearly enough to convey my appreciation.” What may feel like a simple craft project in a conference room can become a treasured source of warmth and encouragement for someone who has sacrificed greatly. Easy to Organize, Scalable for Any Size Company One of the reasons No-Sew Blanket events are so popular is their flexibility. A small office can create a handful of blankets during an afternoon team-building session. A large corporation can turn the project into a company-wide volunteer event involving hundreds of employees across multiple locations. Overall, around 750 Navy Federal team members volunteered to make over 800 blankets for Veterans in honor of Veterans & Military Families Month. This was a coast-to-coast effort, as volunteers rallied at their campus locations across Vienna and Winchester, Virginia; Pensacola, Florida; and San Diego, California. Many companies choose to: Incorporate blanket-making into corporate social responsibility initiatives Host volunteer events during Military Appreciation Month or the holiday season Include families and children in community service days Create friendly competitions between departments Pair blanket-making with fundraising or donation drives Because the materials are affordable and the instructions are straightforward, planning is simple and the impact can be substantial. How to Host a No-Sew Blanket Event Getting started is easier than you might think. Participants need: Four yards of fleece fabric (typically two yards of patterned fleece and two yards of coordinating solid fleece) Scissors A cardboard template Tape Ribbon and an optional thank-you note Employees cut fringe around the edges and tie the pieces together to form a cozy, durable blanket. Soldiers’ Angels provides step-by-step instructions and video tutorials to guide participants through the process. How to Make a No-Sew Blanket Completed blankets are then shipped to Soldiers’ Angels headquarters in San Antonio, where they are distributed to Veterans and Service Members. Soldiers’ Angels Makes It Easy The Soldiers’ Angels Corporate Engagement Program is designed to help companies of all sizes create meaningful volunteer experiences. Whether your organization is looking for a one-time service project or a long-term partnership, Soldiers’ Angels provides guidance, materials, and support to ensure your event is both simple to execute and deeply impactful. As highlighted in Mission Accomplished: Corporate Engagement, these partnerships do more than generate donations. They build connections between corporate teams and the Military and Veteran communities they serve. Ready to Get Started? If your organization is exploring corporate volunteer opportunities, hosting a No-Sew Blanket event is a simple way to create lasting impact. A few yards of fleece. A room full of employees. An afternoon of teamwork. The result is a handmade gift that may bring warmth and comfort to a Veteran in a hospital bed or a Service Member far from home. That is the power of corporate engagement done with heart. To learn more about organizing a No-Sew Blanket event or exploring other opportunities, visit Corporate Engagement Opportunities. Ashley Ray has been a member of the Soldiers’ Angels communications team since 2012. She supports blog writing and social media and loves telling stories of Angel volunteers, Service Members, and Veterans. The post Corporate Volunteer Opportunities: No-Sew Blankets for Veterans and Service Members appeared first on Soldiers' Angels.

There is a silent language spoken in cemeteries across America.It is not carried by voices or flags or even the wind through rows of white headstones.It is spoken in metal.In small, ordinary coins on military graves left gently on cold stone. A penny.A nickel.A dime.A quarter. To most, they are nothing more than loose change. Forgotten in cup holders. Dropped into jars. Spent without thought. But on a military grave, a coin is never just a coin. It is a message.A memory.A tradition of honoring fallen heroes through coins left on military graves.A promise that someone, somewhere, still remembers. The First Time You Notice  If you have ever walked through a national cemetery, you may have seen them without fully understanding. A copper penny resting at the base of a headstone. A silver dime catching sunlight. A quarter placed with intention, not accident.  At first glance, it may seem random. Even curious.  But then you begin to notice something deeper. Some graves have only one coin. Others have many. Some are weathered, as if they have been there for years. Others look freshly placed and almost gleam, as though someone stood there just moments before you arrived. And that is when the question begins to form.  Why coins?  A Tradition Born from Memory and War  Military tradition traces the practice of leaving coins on graves back to the Vietnam War, and its roots extend even further into military culture. It became a quiet way for Veterans and Service Members to honor their fallen brothers and sisters without needing words.  In a time when emotions ran deep and divisions ran deeper, coins offered something simple and undeniable.  Proof.  Proof that someone had been there. Proof that a life had not been forgotten. Proof that bonds formed in uniform do not end with death.  Unlike flowers, which fade, or flags, which are often placed during formal ceremonies, a coin is personal. It is intentional, left by hand, not by protocol.  It says, “I came. I stood here. I remember you.”  The Meaning Behind Each Coin  Over time, specific meanings became associated with each denomination. While interpretations can vary, the most widely recognized symbolism carries a powerful weight.  A penny means you visited. It is the simplest gesture, but perhaps the most universal. It says that someone speaks a name carved in stone again, even if only in silence. A nickel means you and the fallen Service Member trained together. It speaks of early mornings, shared struggles, and the forging of discipline and identity.  A dime means you served together. This coin carries the weight of shared missions, long deployments, and moments that only those who wore the uniform can truly understand.  A quarter means you were there when they died. It is the heaviest coin of all. Not in metal, but in meaning. It represents presence in the final moments. A bond sealed in the most profound way.  Each coin tells a story without ever needing anyone to read it aloud. More Than Tradition  To outsiders, this practice may seem symbolic. To those who understand it, it is deeply personal.  Because behind every coin is a person who made the trip. Who stood before that headstone. Who paused long enough to remember not just how someone died, but how they lived.  They remember the laughter between missions. The jokes that made no sense to anyone else. The quiet moments when the weight of service felt just a little lighter because someone else was there.  A coin does not just honor sacrifice. It honors connection.  The Silent Conversation  There is something profound about the silence in which this tradition exists.  No speeches are given. No announcements are made. No one asks for recognition.  And yet, in that silence, a conversation unfolds.  A Veteran stands before the grave of a fallen friend. Maybe decades have passed. Maybe life has moved forward in ways they never expected. But in that moment, time collapses.  They reach into their pocket.  They place a coin.  And in that simple act, they say everything they could not say then.  “I made it home.” “I still think about you.” “You are not forgotten.”  The headstone does not answer. But somehow, it does.  Why It Matters  In a world that moves quickly, where headlines fade and history becomes distant, traditions like this ground us.  They remind us that service is not just a chapter in a history book. It is made of real people. Real friendships. Real sacrifices.  Every name on a military grave represents a story that did not get to finish.  Coins help continue those stories.  They ensure that even in death, those who served remain part of something larger than themselves. A community. A brotherhood. A nation that still pauses, even briefly, to say thank you.  A Gesture Anyone Can Make  One of the most powerful aspects of this tradition is that it does not limit itself to those who served. Anyone can participate.  You do not need to have worn the uniform. You do not need to know the person whose name is etched in stone.  All you need is a moment. And a coin.  When you place it on a grave, you are joining a legacy of remembrance. You are becoming part of a quiet network of people who refuse to let sacrifice fade into the background.  You are saying, in your own way, “Your service matters. Your life mattered.”  The Weight of a Small Thing  It is easy to overlook something as small as a coin.  But in the right place, at the right time, it becomes something far greater.  It becomes a bridge between the past and the present. A connection between strangers bound by respect. A symbol of a nation that, despite everything, still remembers.  Coins do not replace grief. They do not erase loss. But they offer something just as important.  Acknowledgment.  Carrying It Forward  The next time you find yourself near a military cemetery, pause.  Walk among the rows. Read the names. Notice the dates. Some lived long lives. Others did not have the chance.  And if you have a coin in your pocket, consider what it represents.  Not its value in currency. But its value in meaning.  Place it gently.  Take a moment.  And understand that in that simple act, you are participating in something deeply American. Something rooted in respect, sacrifice, and memory.  A Legacy That Lives On  Coins on military graves are not about tradition alone.  They are about continuity.  They ensure that even as generations pass, the connection between those who served and those who remember remains unbroken.  Because remembrance is not a one-time act. It is a responsibility.  A coin may seem small. But its message is not.  It says that honor does not fade. That sacrifice is not forgotten. That even in silence, gratitude can speak louder than words ever could.  Final Reflection  Long after ceremonies end and flags are folded away, the coins remain.  Quiet. Steady. Unmoving.  And yet, they speak.  They tell every passerby that someone cared enough to stop. To remember. To leave behind a piece of themselves in the form of something so simple, yet so powerful.  In the end, that is what this tradition is truly about.  Not money. Not ritual. Not even history alone.  It is about people.  About the bonds we form. The sacrifices we honor. And the promise we make to never forget those who gave everything.  So the next time you see a coin resting on a military grave, do not pass it by without a thought.  Because that coin is not lost.  It was left there on purpose.  And it is still speaking. About the Author Mike Isaac-Jimenez is a 25-year U.S. Air Force Veteran based in San Antonio, TX. He currently serves as a Marketing and Communications Contractor with Soldiers’ Angels, where he shares his passion for storytelling with his dedication to honoring military service. Mike holds a B.S. in Technical Management (Project Management) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, along with A.A.S. degrees in Mechanical & Electrical Technology and Mechanical Engineering. He writes to preserve the legacies of America’s heroes and honor those who served and are still serving. The post The Silent Language of Coins on Military Graves appeared first on Soldiers' Angels.

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