Birmingham VA Health Care System

“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months.”
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force, Message to the troops on June 6, 1944.

On June 6, 1944, nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight N**i Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day's end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler's crack troops.

For many Veterans of D-Day, talking about their experiences was something only shared with battle buddies, if at all. In hearing these stories—what they went through, what happened—we begin to understand the events that shaped the rest of their lives.

Two years ago, three Veterans recounted for us what they lived through that day: in the air, on the sea and on the beaches. Hear their stories on that monumental day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIPgjI7F-ug

The Birmingham VA Medical Center would like to thank our local Salvation Army team for bringing joy and tasty donuts for our Veterans to celebrate National Donut Day. Donut Day is more than just an opportunity to enjoy delicious pastries; it also serves as a moment to recognize the historical significance of donuts in American culture. This sweet holiday originated in 1938 as a tribute to the Salvation Army volunteers who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. The Salvation Army's "Donut Lassies" played a crucial role in boosting morale among troops, making the donut a symbol of comfort and community. Once again, we greatly appreciate your unwavering support for our Veterans. Your continued commitment means the world to us.

If you would like to donate or volunteer with the VA, or know someone who wishes to volunteer please visit https://www.va.gov/birm.../work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/ or call 205-933-4396 to learn more.

Birmingham VA receives top marks in 2026 CMS report

The Birmingham VA has received a four-star rating in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ annual Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating report. CMS’ Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings are based on five categories:
• mortality
• safety of care
• readmission
• patient experience
• timely and effective care

A higher star rating, out of five, indicates better performance along these quality measures.

Nationwide, 78% of VA hospitals that received a rating received four or five stars in 2026. This is the fourth consecutive year that VA has outperformed non-VA care, and the second year in a row that no VA hospital received a one-star rating.

View the star ratings for each facility: https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/?providerType=Hospital

For more information: https://www.va.gov/birmingham-health-care/news-releases/birmingham-va-receives-top-marks-in-2026-cms-report/

Have you downloaded our Couples Coach App? Couples can improve communication and build trust in their relationship. Try exercises to practice active listening so you can navigate conflict better with your partner. https://mobile.va.gov/app/couples-coach

For 80 years, VA health care has been shaped by research and informed by Veterans’ experience, setting the foundation for a future of exceptional health care.
Every study and every advancement builds on the one before it—pushing Veteran care forward.

June is PTSD Awareness Month
Post-traumatic stress is a natural response to extraordinary experiences, and it's treatable. Many veterans live full, meaningful lives after a PTSD diagnosis with the right support.
If you or a fellow veteran are struggling, you don't have to go through it alone. The Birmingham VA Health Care System offers a range of mental health services, including evidence-based therapies specifically designed for PTSD.
Reach out. Heal. Thrive.

Connect with a PTSD coordinator: https://www.va.gov/birmingham-health-care/health-services/mental-health-care/
Learn more about PTSD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMC2jt_QVEE
Learn more about PTSD Treatment: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid/
Learn more about Veterans’ experiences
with PTSD treatment: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/aboutface/

Join our Outreach Team on Wednesday June 3, 2026 from 10 A.M.-1 P.M., for the Pleasant Grove Veterans Resource Fair at the Pleasant Grove Community Center (501 Park Road Pleasant Grove, AL) . Representatives from Veteran Benefits Administration, Veteran Health Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and local Veterans Service Organizations will be on hand to provide information on topics such as Enrollment Eligibility, Disability Claims Process, and many more.

As summer approaches, remember these final cooking temperatures for safe grilling:

• Burger 🍔 = 165°F
• Hot Dog 🌭 = 165°F
• Chicken 🍗 = 165°F
• Fish 🐟 = 145°F
• Steak 🥩 = 145°F