The United States Department of Veterans Affairs, (VA) can trace its roots to 1636, when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony passed a law stating that all disabled soldiers would be supported by the colony during their war with the Pequot Native Americans. In 1776, the Continental Congress moved to provide pensions to disabled soldiers during the Revolutionary War, creating a system that today is the most comprehensive assistance construct for veterans in the world. The first veterans’ hospital was established in 1811, and later that century, the veterans’ assistance program was expanded to provide benefits and pensions for veterans and their widows and dependents.
After the Civil War, states throughout the Union started establishing veterans’ homes. These homes provided veterans with domiciliary care and incidental medicinal and hospital treatment for all maladies, no matter what origin. Veterans of the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War and other conflicts received care at these state homes. The United States Congress voted to expand veterans’ benefits again in 1917, with the country on the brink of joining World War I. These expansions included programs for disability compensation, insurance for veterans and service personnel, and rehabilitation for disabled veterans. Three federal agencies administered different kinds of services to veterans by the 1920s.
Susan M. Taylor retired as the Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Chief Procurement Officer in November 2014. She spent four years at that post, capping 29 years in the Federal Government. She was responsible for working with procurement officers around the country to procure supplies and services for VA hospitals and clinics nationwide. Taylor still lives in the Washington, DC area.
After the Civil War, states throughout the Union started establishing veterans’ homes. These homes provided veterans with domiciliary care and incidental medicinal and hospital treatment for all maladies, no matter what origin. Veterans of the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War and other conflicts received care at these state homes. The United States Congress voted to expand veterans’ benefits again in 1917, with the country on the brink of joining World War I. These expansions included programs for disability compensation, insurance for veterans and service personnel, and rehabilitation for disabled veterans. Three federal agencies administered different kinds of services to veterans by the 1920s.
Susan M. Taylor retired as the Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Chief Procurement Officer in November 2014. She spent four years at that post, capping 29 years in the Federal Government. She was responsible for working with procurement officers around the country to procure supplies and services for VA hospitals and clinics nationwide. Taylor still lives in the Washington, DC area.