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Office of Rural Engagement Newsletter October 2026
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The National Day of the Deployed is recognized each October and is dedicated to honoring those deployed in service to the U.S. military. This observance honors all service members who
have been deployed in service of our country. The day also acknowledges the sacrifices that military families make during deployment.
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VA ‘Close to Me’ brings cancer care closer to rural Veterans
According to VA, nearly one-quarter of America’s Veterans live in rural areas, where specialty care often requires extended travel. For years, that was the reality for many Veterans
living in southeast Tennessee and northern Georgia, who faced long drives for cancer treatment, often repeated week after week. Now, that routine is changing.
Get more information on VA's "Close to Me" cancer care sites by clicking HERE <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fnews.va.gov%2F149339%2Fva-brings-cancer-care-closer-rural-veterans%2F%3F
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Iowa's Honor Harvest feeds rural vets with local food
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the launch of Honor Harvest, which connects eligible veterans with food sourced exclusively from Choose Iowa members. The pilot is a
collaboration between the U.S. Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health, Iowa City VA Health Care System, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Choose
Iowa program and Field to Family Food Hub.
To read more about Iowa veterans' access to fresh, locally grown food, click HERE <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kimt.com%2Fnews%2Fiowas-honor-harvest-feeds-rural-vets-with-loca
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Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) Drives Specialty Care Access for Rural Veterans
Understanding rural health means understanding the barriers Veterans face — including geography, distance, and the burden of travel to reach specialty care. ORH Executive Director Peter
Kaboli, MD, rode along with a Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) orthotist to experience those realities firsthand. Then, ORH Deputy Director James Watts, PhD — a rural Veteran
himself — shares what MoPOC means when there are many miles between you and the care you need.
Read the full story HERE <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.ruralhealth.va.gov%2Fcommunications-hub%2Fshowcasing-excellence%2Fmopoc-drives-rural-specialty-care-access.asp%3Futm_medi
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Annual Veterans Stand Down Connects Rapid City Veterans with Critical Support Services
Veterans from across the Black Hills gathered in Rapid City last week for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual Stand Down event, designed to connect veterans with essential services
and support. Organizers say the goal is to make it easier for veterans to access help by bringing multiple service providers together in one location. VA officials say many veterans
arrive seeking assistance with one specific issue but often discover additional resources that can improve their overall well-being and stability.
You can learn more about the Rapid City Stand Down HERE <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kotatv.com%2F2026%2F09%2F26%2Fveterans-stand-down-brings-community-services-under-one-roof
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To find the Stand Downs and other outreach events coming to your area, click HERE <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdiscover.va.gov%2Fevents%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdeliv
ery/1/010001a13680af4d-e20c75c7-af4c-4aec-b1fb-3f1605ff7473-000000/OltiRxtjNeBh27-vjztit20OynWGCqGtWP3wq-dEUvw=452>
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VA Western Colorado Health Care System Mobile Medical Unit brings healthcare to veterans’ doorsteps
For many veterans living in Western Colorado, reaching traditional healthcare facilities can be a significant challenge. Long and difficult trips to hospitals in Montrose or Grand Junction
are often the norm, leaving many veterans without the care they need. Enter the VA Western Colorado Health Care System’s Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), a mobile clinic that delivers high-quality
primary care directly to veterans’ neighborhoods, including communities like Gunnison. By providing convenient, localized care, the MMU helps veterans maintain their health without
the hassle of extensive travel.
To learn more about how the VA is using MMUs to serve rural areas, click HERE <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.gunnisontimes.com%2Fstories%2Fva-western-colorado-health-care-system
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Lower interest rates for Native American home loans
Many Native American Veterans want to return home to their tribal lands after their military service ends so they can be close to family and reconnect with the culture, traditions and
community that shaped them. For many, this dream becomes reality through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Native American Direct Loans (NADL) program. Now VA is making the program
even more affordable. As of Oct. 1, 2026, VA lowered the NADL interest rate from 2.50% to 2.47%.
Click HERE <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fnews.va.gov%2F150164%2Flower-interest-rates-native-american-home-loans%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a13680af4d-e2
0c75c7-af4c-4aec-b1fb-3f1605ff7473-000000/CDOcnoZ7AIO48r2qwuBgU9THAxioFWpEyH1e8WVzNB8=452> to read the full press release.
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The 2026 Veterans Benefits Guide is now available online
The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to present the “2026 VA Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers.” <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdep
artment.va.gov%2Fget-started%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a13680af4d-e20c75c7-af4c-4aec-b1fb-3f1605ff7473-000000/bTcdDATt0bZKpnOVj9LhMxfpKplwNldX0SDKM_PcEcM=452>
Don’t know what VA benefits and care are available? Not sure which you’re eligible for? The annual Federal Benefits Guide provides information on benefits and services currently available
by law and regulation.
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To contact the VA Office of Rural Engagement, please email us at IGArural@va.gov <mailto:IGArural@va.gov>
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