Thank you to the DAV for all your hard work!

What is the DAV? What many people do not realize is the Disabled American Veterans organization is chartered by the United States Congress. It has been established for the express purpose of helping disabled military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It is there to help veterans and their families. What we, as Americans, need to realize is when a veteran returns home and is disabled it is not only the veteran that is affected it is the family as well. After all when our service men and women go out there to protect and serve this country, their family is doing the same because they are the ones left behind to pray and worry about their loved one until the day they come home again.

When was the DAV formed? Many people have no idea when or why the DAV was formed. It all started after World War I. So many veterans returned home disabled with very little government support, what a surprise. Records show we had veterans returning blind, deaf and even with mental illness. We had some 204,000 American military wounded during the war. Where was our government when they needed them? Believe it or not it was at a Christmas party in 1920 when the idea to form the DAV came to light.

Originally it was called the Disabled American Veterans World War (DAVWW) now that’s a mouth full. It was officially formed September 25, 1921 at the first National Caucus, in Hamilton County Memorial Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The first DAVWW convention was held in Detroit Michigan in June of 1921. It was at this time the first national commander was appointed. Since this was the idea of Cincinnati Superior Court Judge Robert Marx who saw the need for such an organization to be there for our veterans, he was the one who publicized, promoted the organization and the one who appointed the first National Commander.

During the Great Depression the DAVWW struggled with raising funds. The country was in a depression, the money wasn’t there in the private sector and even in businesses to make donations but the DAVWW continued with their work. They had a mission, a vision to be there for the disabled veterans who needed their help and were quickly being forgotten by the government and the people they fought to serve. Everyone was trying to put the war behind them and they didn’t want to be reminded. Yet how could they not whenever they saw a disabled veteran struggling to get by? After eleven years of working hard and struggling to keep their heads above water, the DAVWW was issued a federal charter by Congress in June of 1932.

Once we entered World War II in 1941 the DAVWW needed to expand and officially changed their name to DAV in order to encompass the new war and include all those coming back in need of help. In 1944 the DAV began offering National Service Officer Training Program. This program was the first step in educating those who would be helping our veterans. It was held at the American University in Washington finishing off with a two year mentor-ship program.

In 1941 the DAV had a direct mail campaign in which they distributed “Indento Tags.” The idento tags were made to look like miniature license plates. People could and did attach them to their key ring which was great because the message on them was if lost keys were found please return them to the DAVWW. They would then return them to the proper individual. The program was so successful that in 1945 the DAV expanded the program. They started manufacturing in house and brought the program outright in 1950 which proved to be highly successful. This program not only brought in donations that help keep the DAV afloat but it also gave jobs to veterans in manufacturing with about 350 people employed by 1952. Their donations climbed to over 2 million dollars a year which was definitely needed since the number of disabled veterans in this country had increased with the Korean War which was still active at the time.

Between the 1950’s and even into the 1960’s the DAV took a hit. Lack of leadership and funds hit them hard but they didn’t give up. When our Viet Nam Veterans returned home the DAV rallied around them. They pushed hard to working for POW’s and MIA’s. Viet Nam veterans stepped up and soon they were taking control of the reigns and filling the diminished ranks of the DAV. Times were changing and so was the DAV. They moved their headquarters to Cold Spring, Kentucky in 1966 and decided it was time to change the Idento Tag program and moved onto address labels going out in direct mail with a request for a donation to be sent in the DAV.

Changing of times meant the DAV had to make changes in order to keep moving and growing so they would be there to help our veterans when they were needed so in 1993 it had an overhaul. Internal arguments about governing of the organization led to an election which turned the administration over to new hands and the program began its overhaul.

The DAV is there for our veterans and provides services to them free of charge. There are branches throughout the nation with more than 1900 local DAV Chapters. If you are a family member or friend of a veteran you feel needs a helping hand then advise them on the help they can receive at the DAV.

The DAV will help with The Disability Transition Program. This means they will help free of charge assist service members at Intake Site (Pre-Discharge Claims Assistance) locations at military installations by Disabled American Veterans Transition Service Officers with treatment records, filing initial claim for VA benefits and they will confer with the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Labor in the transition process from military life to civilian life.  Think what you want folks but the transition isn’t always an easy one. Our Veterans see more then we can ever imagine and for some it’s hard to let go and need all the help they can get in order to get back to a somewhat normal life.

There is a list of items the DAV have available to help veterans, service members, or survivors with so please check with your local chapter. Don’t give up because of all the red tape. There is help out there and some amazingly caring people who have been there themselves and give their time and experience freely to help others in the same situation.

There is a Mobile Service Office Program which is designed to bring assistance for disabled veterans and their families who live in an area where there may not be a chapter office. They will help veterans with benefits, filing claims and services closer to home. It’s an office on wheels.

Not sure if the DAV can help you, then educate yourself with a Veterans information Seminar designed to help veterans, service members, and survivors. It is exactly what it says it is an information seminar designed to help and educate and in doing so will show you where to go to get the help you need.

The DAV also works with the Federal, state, county, and city governments to develop programs to help homeless veterans. They can support homeless veterans with necessary services to help them find housing, become productive, self-sufficient members of society giving them back their independence and dignity. They work with the VA to get health care, treatment for substance abuse, and mental health services. All veterans deserve the chance to come back and enjoy the life they fought so hard to give to each and every one of us.

In my lifetime I have had the honor of meeting and talking to many veterans dating back to World War II. There was a time in my life where I volunteered at the Teaneck Armory during the deployments of Iraqi Freedom. Not all injuries are seen with the naked eye. Yes we have veterans come back wounded, others lose their eyesight, their hearing, limbs, but then there are those whose pain and injuries we cannot see. Not because they are covered with clothing but because they are the ones that weigh heavily on the minds of those who were there. Each and every veteran who needs help needs to know there is someone at the DAV who is willing to listen to them and lend a hand if they need it. Sometimes they just need a friend to show them the way.

Instead of looking down at the homeless man sitting on the curb begging for food, why not ask him if he served this country? Why not try and help out a fellow human being who gave so much and came back completely changed? The next time you see a young man or woman hit the deck because they believe they heard a gunshot instead of laughing why not reach out a hand and let them know you understand. Sometimes it just takes someone caring enough to show them the way for them to get the help they need to be whole once more.

I want to personally thank all those at the DAV who give their time and energy in helping their fellow veterans find their way back to us. Your work is greatly appreciated. Anyone who wishes to be of service to our veterans and their families please reach out to your local DAV chapter. I am sure they could use a lending hand.

May God Bless America and all our service members and their families