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The Centenarian Program at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has expanded to begin honoring veterans for special occasions, such as birthdays, as well as veterans with very limited life expectancy.
Initially launched in 2020 as a special initiative that awarded commemorative coins to American heroes aged 100 years, the program recognizes each individual’s service to the country.
“This program symbolizes the commitment that we promise to our veterans,” said Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Dennis Montgomery in West Palm Beach, Florida. “They are never forgotten. No matter the years since time of service, the VA will always honor and remind them of the gratitude we proudly hold in our hearts for their bravery and sacrifice.”
Eligible veterans receive a personalized letter from the VA Secretary, a commemorative coin, and public recognition from their local VA facility, which often includes a celebration. To be eligible, veterans must be enrolled and receiving care through the VA health care systems.
Coins are customized for each veteran with unique attributes, including the veteran’s name, branch of service, military occupational specialty, and years of service.
“I originally learned of the program in 2022, and I explored the possibilities to expand the reach of active engagement from the Center of Development and Civic Engagement and the VA Secretary’s office,” said Saraswathy Battar, MD, a geriatrician at the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center (VAMC) Community Living Center in West Palm Beach, who oversaw the program until her retirement in November 2025. The program is currently administered by the office of VA Secretary Douglas Collins.
Between August 2022 and October 15, 2025, 1182 centenarian veterans and 285 special recognition honorees received commemorative coins.
“As our local veteran population grows within the centenarian coin eligibility criteria,” Montgomery said, “I know this program will continue to grow as well and gain more popularity to honor our veterans as they have earned and deserved.”
The VA conducts outreach through local health care professionals to identify veterans eligible for the program. This allows for veterans admitted to the VA to be identified, leading to activation of the ceremony process.
If veterans are in declining health, they become eligible to receive recognition at age 95, Montgomery said.
The Centenarian Program at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has expanded to begin honoring veterans for special occasions, such as birthdays, as well as veterans with very limited life expectancy.
Initially launched in 2020 as a special initiative that awarded commemorative coins to American heroes aged 100 years, the program recognizes each individual’s service to the country.
“This program symbolizes the commitment that we promise to our veterans,” said Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Dennis Montgomery in West Palm Beach, Florida. “They are never forgotten. No matter the years since time of service, the VA will always honor and remind them of the gratitude we proudly hold in our hearts for their bravery and sacrifice.”
Eligible veterans receive a personalized letter from the VA Secretary, a commemorative coin, and public recognition from their local VA facility, which often includes a celebration. To be eligible, veterans must be enrolled and receiving care through the VA health care systems.
Coins are customized for each veteran with unique attributes, including the veteran’s name, branch of service, military occupational specialty, and years of service.
“I originally learned of the program in 2022, and I explored the possibilities to expand the reach of active engagement from the Center of Development and Civic Engagement and the VA Secretary’s office,” said Saraswathy Battar, MD, a geriatrician at the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center (VAMC) Community Living Center in West Palm Beach, who oversaw the program until her retirement in November 2025. The program is currently administered by the office of VA Secretary Douglas Collins.
Between August 2022 and October 15, 2025, 1182 centenarian veterans and 285 special recognition honorees received commemorative coins.
“As our local veteran population grows within the centenarian coin eligibility criteria,” Montgomery said, “I know this program will continue to grow as well and gain more popularity to honor our veterans as they have earned and deserved.”
The VA conducts outreach through local health care professionals to identify veterans eligible for the program. This allows for veterans admitted to the VA to be identified, leading to activation of the ceremony process.
If veterans are in declining health, they become eligible to receive recognition at age 95, Montgomery said.
The Centenarian Program at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has expanded to begin honoring veterans for special occasions, such as birthdays, as well as veterans with very limited life expectancy.
Initially launched in 2020 as a special initiative that awarded commemorative coins to American heroes aged 100 years, the program recognizes each individual’s service to the country.
“This program symbolizes the commitment that we promise to our veterans,” said Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Dennis Montgomery in West Palm Beach, Florida. “They are never forgotten. No matter the years since time of service, the VA will always honor and remind them of the gratitude we proudly hold in our hearts for their bravery and sacrifice.”
Eligible veterans receive a personalized letter from the VA Secretary, a commemorative coin, and public recognition from their local VA facility, which often includes a celebration. To be eligible, veterans must be enrolled and receiving care through the VA health care systems.
Coins are customized for each veteran with unique attributes, including the veteran’s name, branch of service, military occupational specialty, and years of service.
“I originally learned of the program in 2022, and I explored the possibilities to expand the reach of active engagement from the Center of Development and Civic Engagement and the VA Secretary’s office,” said Saraswathy Battar, MD, a geriatrician at the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center (VAMC) Community Living Center in West Palm Beach, who oversaw the program until her retirement in November 2025. The program is currently administered by the office of VA Secretary Douglas Collins.
Between August 2022 and October 15, 2025, 1182 centenarian veterans and 285 special recognition honorees received commemorative coins.
“As our local veteran population grows within the centenarian coin eligibility criteria,” Montgomery said, “I know this program will continue to grow as well and gain more popularity to honor our veterans as they have earned and deserved.”
The VA conducts outreach through local health care professionals to identify veterans eligible for the program. This allows for veterans admitted to the VA to be identified, leading to activation of the ceremony process.
If veterans are in declining health, they become eligible to receive recognition at age 95, Montgomery said.