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VA Nebraska-Western Iowa
July 2026

Upcoming Events

July 16: Hero Hub Info Fair | Omaha VAMC | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

July 31: Grand Island Creative Arts Competition Deadline

Creative Arts Competition

The Grand Island VA Creative Arts competition is now accepting submissions. VA uses the creative arts as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help Veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities. Veterans enrolled in VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System are invited to participate. 

Learn more about the Grand Island Creative Arts Competition, open through July 31

Omaha Fisher House

The Omaha Fisher House features 16 fully-furnished suites and serves as a “home away from home” for the families of Veterans or military service members receiving treatment at the Omaha VA Medical Center. The facility also features a large kitchen and dining area, an elevator and a full laundry. The Omaha Fisher House enables family members to be close to their loved one during a hospitalization by providing comfortable, cost free lodging, in a relaxed setting that is only a short walk away from the hospital.

What are the criteria to stay at the Fisher House?

• Permanent address of guest must be more than 50 miles from the Omaha campus.
• VA providing service or authorized by Care in the Community.
• Guest must be capable of self-care and be independent in activities of daily living.
• Guest must be actively involved in Veteran’s daily treatment plan and provide ongoing support during episode of care.
• 1 room per family/Veteran with max of 4 occupants.
• All requests will require a length of stay recommendation from the treatment team.

Learn more at https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/programs/omaha-fisher-house/.

Whole Health Calendars

What happens when healthcare stops asking "what's wrong with you" and starts asking "what matters to you?" That's the Whole Health Experience — VA's approach to care that meets Veterans where they are and helps them rediscover the life they want to live.

For many Veterans, healthcare can feel like it's about checking boxes. With Whole Health, it's an experience where VA health care is built around you — your story, your values, and what gives your life meaning

VA Nebraska-Western Iowa offers a robust Whole Health program including classes on meditation, nutrition, creative arts, tai chi, yoga and more. Click here to see the Whole Health Calendars of activities. 

Fremont Art Contest

Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs Events

The Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting several upcoming events:

July 24: Korean War Veterans Armistice Day 

Aug 28-29: Nebraska Veterans Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic

Sept 18-20: Nebraska Women Veterans Symposium

Healthy Living Message: Limit Alcohol

If you choose to drink alcohol, drink in moderation. Drinking too much can harm your health. If you are concerned about your drinking, talk to your VA health care team about getting help.

What's Important to Know?

If you choose to drink alcohol, drink in moderation. This helps reduce your risk for alcohol-related health problems.

Here are the recommended drink limits:

• Female: No more than 1 drink in a single day and no more than 7 drinks per week
• Male: No more than 2 drinks in a single day and no more than 14 drinks per week
• All adults age 65 and older: No more than 1 drink a day and no more than 7 drinks per week
• Pregnant people or those who might be pregnant: Do not drink any alcohol

Do not binge drink. Binge drinking means drinking:

• 4 or more drinks on one occasion for females and all adults age 65 and older
• 5 or more drinks on one occasion for males

One standard drink is equal to any one of the following:

• 12 oz. regular beer, usually about 5% alcohol
• 8-9 oz. malt liquor (7% alcohol)
• 5 oz. table wine (12% alcohol)
• 1.5 oz. 80-proof hard liquor (40% alcohol)

For many adults, drinking small amounts of alcohol does not cause serious health problems. However, as we age, our bodies do not process alcohol as easily. People who drink within recommended limits are at lower risk for developing problems with alcohol use. Some people, such as children, anyone who is pregnant or might be pregnant, and those with certain medical conditions, should not drink any alcohol.

Want to Know More?

Talk with your VA health care team if you have questions about limiting alcohol or are concerned about your drinking. They can help you reduce risky drinking. Alcohol dependence can be treated.

Resources

• Veterans Health Library: Limit Alcohol
• Veterans Health Library: Alcohol Use Disorder and Treatment Options
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol's Effect on Health
• VHA National Center for PTSD: PTSD and Problems with Alcohol Use

Veteran Spotlight

Welcome to our Veteran Spotlight, where we honor the stories behind the uniform and the lives shaped by service. Follow us on Facebook to see the spotlight each week.

Meet James Bright, a U.S. Navy Veteran whose career of steady service included an unexpected behind-the-scenes moment tied to one of Hollywood's most iconic military films. Read James's Veteran Spotlight story on our Facebook page.

Meet Steve Bettendorf, a Veteran whose commitment to serving others didn't end when he took off the uniform, it became a lifelong calling. Born in Southern California and raised in the small town of Elgin, Nebraska, Steve was searching for direction after high school when he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1976. Read Steve's Veteran Spotlight on Facebook.

Meet James “JC” McKellip, a U.S. Navy Veteran originally from Valley, Nebraska, now living in Council Bluffs, Iowa. After graduating high school in 1966, JC enlisted in the Navy and trained as a Hospital Corpsman at Great Lakes Naval Station. At just 19 years old, he deployed to Vietnam, where his role placed him directly in combat environments providing lifesaving medical care under extreme conditions. Continue reading on Facebook. .