---

By Chuck N. Baker 
 
(Las Vegas, NV) — A VA sponsored event, “Passport to Wellness” has an important mission in mind. “We are always looking to provide information from qualified individuals on a variety of options that will contribute to making life better for veterans,” said Charles W. Ramey, public affairs manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs Southern Nevada Healthcare System. 
 
With that in mind, the VA Clinic in North Las Vegas sponsored a “Passport to Wellness” program on May 17th that included a VA2K Walk. It also provided a bevy of health resources to assist veterans and their families. Individuals representing some 20-plus non-profit organizations were available to hand out information concerning such areas as overcoming stress management, quitting use of tobacco and accessing such mental and physical regimens as meditation, yoga and Reiki. 
 
Ramey said there were about 200 people who took advantage of the 2K walk on a course that circled the VA medical complex. He explained the VA has a committee that meets regularly to discuss positive health issues and disease prevention. “We try to do a variety of things,” he said about the committee. “Our Director Peggy Kearns has expanded communications and education for our veterans for their own health care so they can make choices that can improve their lifestyles.” He added, “The motto of the VA is, ‘Here every day is Veterans Day,’ and we continuously strive to make that statement a reality.” Many VA employees took part in the wellness event, as well as overseeing the activities. 
 
The “Passport to Wellness” event was coordinated with two national programs that the VA promotes — “I CARE” and “Healthy Living.” The latter program states that “Healthy living matters, prevention works.” 
 
The “I CARE” overview states that the core values and characteristics of the VA apply across the entire spectrum of the department. The values are the foundation of VA culture, and support its mission to provide the best care and services to veterans, their families and beneficiaries. It is that spirit that helped to form part of the basis for the local wellness and 2K event. The VA points out that “I CARE” values provide a baseline for the standard of behavior of all VA employees, and, it is hoped, for the veterans the department serves. Four VA stated pillars of the program are, “I care about those who have served; I care about fellow VA employees; I care about choosing the harder right instead of the easier wrong; and I care about performing my duties to the very best of my abilities.” 
 
Similar to, but somewhat different to the four pillars of “I CARE” are nine messages put forth by the VA’s Healthy Living program. The VA states that each of the nine is important for living a healthy life. Produced in conjunction with the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, they are: Get recommended screening tests and immunizations; be involved in your heath care; manage stress; be tobacco free; limit alcohol; be safe; strive for a healthy weight; be physically active; and eat wisely. 
 
The four pillars and the nine messages dovetailed nicely with the mission of the local “Passport to Wellness” event. As Ramey noted, education is important so that veterans are able to provide assistance for their own health care. Because while every day is Veterans Day for the VA, it’s also Veterans Day for each individual veteran.