It’s no easy feat to serve a patient population of 26 million Veterans and their spouses, survivors, and dependents. But by keeping our finger on the pulse of the latest advancements, technologies, and treatments (and developing a few as well), VA is able to rise to the occasion and provide services that deliver on President Lincoln’s promise. Amazingly, the work of VA not only helps today’s heroes, but is also responsible for helping Veterans and their families from years ago. Here are just a few amazing facts:

• Nearly three-quarters of living Veterans served during a war or period of conflict
• Vietnam Veterans account for the largest group of all Veterans
• World War II Veterans make up the next largest group
• Currently, there are 1.7 million women Veterans, or seven percent of the Veteran population
• About one-quarter of the Nation's population is potentially eligible for VA benefits
• The last dependent of a Revolutionary War Veteran died in 1911
• The last Veteran of the Spanish-American War died in 1992
• 152 children and widows of the Spanish-American War still receive VA compensation or pension benefits
• Five children of Civil War Veterans still receive VA benefits

While it’s true that most individuals view VA as a place where Veterans and their families can receive the best medical care, VA also has a number of initiatives in place to battle issues that Veterans face on a daily basis, ranging from re-entering civilian life to combating homelessness.

But VA’s goals don’t stop there. VA is also committed to improving the quality and accessibility of health care, benefits, and memorial services while optimizing value. As the needs of Veterans change, VA is setting up goals to address them in an expeditious manner. The following are just a few of goals of VA to help improve the overall quality of life for Veterans:

• Increase Veteran health, education, training, counseling, financial and burial benefits
• Raise readiness to provide Veteran services assets continuously and in time of crisis
• Improve internal customer satisfaction with management systems and support service
• Make VA an employer of choice by investing in human capital by hiring Veterans
• Eliminate Veteran homelessness
• Automate GI Bill benefits
• Improve Veterans access to mental care