"It is the duty of the people, to care for him who shall have Abraham Lincoln borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan."

Tending to the needs of veterans has been an American tradition since the Revolutionary War.

This tradition was best articulated by Abraham Lincoln in March 1865 in his statement quoted on the right. President Lincoln's statement has become VA's motto and the standard for VA employees over the years.

During the early part of our nation's history, veterans' pension and health needs were provided by various branches or bureaus in the Federal Government. VA was established as an independent Agency by Executive Order 5398 of July 21, 1930 in accordance with Public Law 71-536, Activities for War Veterans, Consolidation and Coordination (Act of July 30, 1930). The Act authorized the President to consolidate and coordinate federal agencies especially created for or concerned with the administration of laws providing benefits to veterans. Under the Act, the Veterans' Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions, and the National Home for Disable Volunteer Soldiers were consolidated in the VA. The Agency's mission was to administer a veterans' pension system and to operate a system to provide health care for America's World War I veterans.

On March 15, 1989, VA was established as a cabinet-level department. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to serve veterans with a national network of health care facilities, veterans benefits offices, and cemeteries. VA operates the largest and most comprehensive health care system in the United States. VA employees work in the Central Office located in Washington, DC and in more than 1,200 medical centers, outpatient clinics, regional offices, and national cemeteries throughout the United States. The diversity of skills and services available within the Department provides employees with tremendous opportunities for professional growth and career development.