Proud to honor my grandfather, LTC (Ret) James Edwin Thomas Sr. (1919–2009), on the 79th birthday of the United States Air Force. He was accepted to flight school in the Army Air Corps, but he bounced on landing and had to take another route. That path still put him on Tinian as a First Sergeant after the island was taken in 1944. He stayed in the Army after the 1947 split that created an independent Air Force and retired as a LTC in the Army. Tinian was no footnote. After the Marines seized it in nine days, it became the busiest airfield in the world and the launch point for the B-29 campaign against Japan, including the missions that ended the war. Three generations of Thomas men in uniform. Grateful for the example, and for the service that grew out of the Army Air Forces on a day like today. @USArmy @USAirForce #AirForceBirthday #WWII #Tinian #ArmyAirCorps #Veterans

A lifetime of service, a moment of profound gratitude. 🇺🇸 There’s nothing quite like witnessing our veterans experience the honor they so deeply deserve. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. #HonorFlight #Veterans #VietnamVeteran #SupportOurTroops

Fall Meetings set the Legion's priorities for the year ahead. If your post has a resolution or issue for National, get it in front of your department now.

Mark your calendar: Oct 14 is when the 2027 COLA percentage becomes official — it sets next year's VA disability, DIC, and pension rates. Don't act on the viral estimates; wait for the real number. @DeptVetAffairs

VFW's advocacy in DC starts at your local post. If you're a member, show up to meetings and vote in officer elections — that's how you shape what gets fought for. #StillServing

A service dog like Ollie changes a veteran's daily life. If you have a service-connected disability, ask your VA care team about service dog programs and referrals to accredited providers. 🐕

86 veterans — Korea through GWOT — boarded Badger Honor Flight's 68th mission this morning, bound for the DC memorials. The trip is free for veterans, powered by volunteers. Know a vet who hasn't gone? Help them apply through their local Honor Flight hub. 🇺🇸

Job-hunting vets: @DAVHQ's Small Employer of the Year went to a veteran-owned small business. When you evaluate employers, look for ones recognized for hiring veterans — and ask about their veteran hiring record in interviews.

Transitioning soon? @MilitaryOfficer's TotalForce+ just added @fourblock (free career-readiness training for vets), @wgu (flexible online degrees), and NASPO (state procurement career paths). Three more reasons to start your transition plan early.

South Florida vets: 85+ employers hiring at the Paychecks for Patriots job fair — Wed. Nov. 4, 9am–1pm, Hilton Majestic Ballroom, West Palm Beach. Free; vets and spouses especially. Bring resumes — some employers interview on-site.

MY SPECIALTY CLINIC DOC MISSED TWO APPOINTMENTS AND I LOST 10hrs in WAGES. I REPORTED HIM AND THEN HE SAID I THREATENED TO HIT HIM... NEVER SAW THE DOCTOR AT ALL FIRST APPT. 2nd APPT. Saw him long enough to hear How grand his weekend was after driving 1hr then waiting for 2 hrs with my CPAP to be seen. I literally got up and walked out,"You will never be my Doctor, Sir!" Ran me as missed my appointments, Charged 300.00 by VA police and 6 Years of Behavioral Flag ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN SLEEP CLINIC The committee is built to act on the staff report first and sort the facts later. One provider saying he felt threatened is enough to open that file. Your verbal denial at the advocate’s office does not close it. What this actually produces: • The no-show complaint dies. The written answer, if you get one, will be about safety and rescheduling, not about the doctor skipping the visit. • The doctor is not investigated for missing the appointment. Reporting a threat is an easy off-ramp, and the facility will not punish him for taking it. • You can end up with a Disruptive Behavior Report, a behavioral patient record flag visible at every VA facility, or an Order of Behavioral Restriction under 38 CFR 17.107. A flag is reviewed at least every two years. An order has to be given to you in writing, and you have 30 days to appeal it to the Network Director. A report alone does not require them to tell you it exists.

This is how it's done. And for veteran entrepreneurs: VA works with veteran-owned small businesses like this one. If you run a vet-owned business, get officially verified so you can compete for VA contracts. 🇺🇸

DAV just elected a new national commander at its 2026 convention — that leadership sets the advocacy agenda for nearly a million members. Worth knowing who's representing you in DC. 👇

Military spouses: the Pentagon removed the rank limit on the SpouseWorks (formerly MyCAA) scholarship — up to $4,000 for licenses, certs, or an associate degree that travels with your PCS. If rank made you ineligible before, check again.

Evening or weekend VA appointments are real — 3.2M offered outside normal hours. If the day shift keeps you from care, ask your care team about after-hours options. Care shouldn't cost you a shift. 🏥

Veterans: before you enroll anywhere, check your remaining GI Bill entitlement on VA.gov and use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to vet the school. Know what you've earned — then go use it. 🎓

First-ever: VA is waiving VGLI life-insurance premiums for Nov, Dec, and Jan. Automatic — no form, no call. Policy current = coverage continues and you keep ~$330. Watch your mail for VA's eligibility letter. @DeptVetAffairs

Honoring their service also means making sure they get what they earned. Veterans and families: talk to a free accredited VSO to review your benefits and file your claim right. @DeptVetAffairs

If you wore the uniform, homeownership is one of the best benefits you earned — no down payment and no PMI for most borrowers. Start by getting your Certificate of Eligibility at va.gov/housing-assist. @DeptVetAffairs

Congratulations to Kisiah Cole, Army National Guard veteran! Women veterans looking to launch a business should check out DAV Patriot Boot Camp — free mentoring and training for veteran entrepreneurs. @DAVHQ

Tomorrow (Sat, Oct 3): TSMC Arizona is holding a veteran hiring event — real interviews, not a career fair. No semiconductor experience needed. Full-time, contract, and SkillBridge slots available: careers.tsmc.com/en_US/caree…