America has the longest standing heritage of taking care of her veterans.

The current Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has its roots going back to the Pilgrims in 1636, when the Plymouth Colony was at war with the Pequot Indians. The Elders established that the men who fought the Pequots would be supported by the colony.

The following are a list of milestones in developing the the Department of Veteran's Affairs as it exists today, dating from the Pilgrims' first entry into taking care of it's military men.

In 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution that provided pensions to disabled members of the Continental Army.

In 1811, the United States Government opened the first Domiciliary and Hospital for veterans.

In 1921, Congress created the Veterans Bureau to consolidate three federal programs that dealt with veterans' issues.

In October, 1988 President Ronald Reagan consolidated all veteran programs under the Department of Veteran Affairs and made it a Cabinet position, which took effect on March 19th, 1989.

More Info: www.va.gov