2019-09-17 06:52:29
DAV Past National Commander Cleveland Jordan
DAV Past National Commander Cleveland Jordan died July 23. He was elected to the organization’s highest office at the 1991 national convention in New Orleans.
A native of Darlington, S.C., Jordan enlisted in the Army in 1959, serving with the 101st Airborne Division. During a live-fire training exercise at Fort Campbell, Ky., he suffered serious gunshot wounds that hospitalized him for four months. Because his injuries barred him from jumping, he was reassigned to the 128th Signal Corps in Tobyhanna, Pa., until he was discharged from the Army in 1963 as a result of his service-connected disability.
Following military service, he headed the Office of Veterans Affairs, District of Columbia Department of Human Services, and served as a program analyst for the Income Maintenance Administration at the Commission of Social Services.
Jordan studied business administration at Benedict College from 1964 to 1967 under the VA Vocational Rehabilitation program. In 1967, the former paratrooper began his DAV career and attended the DAV National Service Officer Training Program at Catholic University. After graduation, he worked as a national service officer in New York and in Washington until accepting a position as a claims representative with the District of Columbia Government Office of Veterans Affairs.
He was actively involved in leadership at the chapter, department and national levels. At the time of his passing, he was a member of Chapter 72 in Darlington, S.C.
“Past National Commander Jordan’s commitment to his fellow veterans and their families was evident in everything he did,” said National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “His legacy lives on through the work he did for our organization and by those who knew and loved him. We are saddened by his loss, but we will be sure to honor his memory and be grateful for all he did to improve the lives of the men and women who served.”
Retired National Service Director Norman “Gabby” Hartnett
Retired National Service Director Norman “Gabby” Hartnett passed away May 9. Hartnett was 96.
The World War II veteran enlisted in the Navy in 1942 as a radioman, proudly serving on the USS Frederick Funston. He participated in five invasions: Sicily and Salerno in Italy and Saipan, Guam and the Philippines in the Pacific. While ducking gunfire in a landing craft vehicle taking troops ashore in the Philippines, Hartnett injured his back.
After his discharge from the Navy in July 1945, Hartnett worked as a clerk at the Army Depot in his hometown of Framingham, Mass. In 1966, after taking courses at American University in Washington, he started his career with DAV as a national service officer.
He retired from DAV as national service director in 1984. Not long after, he gave up retirement to serve as chief of staff for Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown in Washington, D.C. He was also on the Advisory Committee for Special Disabilities.
“Gabby begged his mother to join the Navy after—as a teenager—he learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor,” said Burgess. “It took him nearly a year to convince his mom to let her only child go to war, but he was determined to serve his country at a time it needed him the most. His heart of service only continued after the war ended, which is evident by the life he led as a fierce advocate for veterans and their families. A member of the Greatest Generation, he will be truly missed by a host of family and friends.”
Hartnett is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Retired National Service Officer James Uckele
Retired National Service Officer James “Jim” Uckele died July 6. He retired from DAV in 2008 after 30 years of service.
Uckele joined the Air Force in 1970 and served in Vietnam. In 1978, he was hired by DAV and worked as a national service officer until his retirement.
“Mr. Uckele dedicated his life to the service of others, as evidenced by his 30 years with DAV,” said National Service Director Jim Marszalek. “Personally and professionally, he thrived on giving his best efforts to those around him. He will be greatly missed by his DAV family and all those who knew him.”
Uckele is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rosalie, son Gregory, daughter Amanda Rose, and many other family and friends.
Retired National Service Officer Alfred Luberski
Retired National Service Officer Alfred “Al” Luberski died July 15. Luberski was 98.
The World War II veteran enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 as an aircraft mechanic and served honorably until 1945.
In 1962, Luberski joined DAV’s professional staff and served until his retirement in 1986.
“As a member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Luberski was tenacious as a training officer, mentor and colleague to a countless number of service officers,” said Marszalek. “He worked tirelessly to make sure every veteran got a square deal, and he made sure every other benefits counselor worked just as hard on behalf of the men and women who served. He will be truly missed.”
Luberski is survived by his wife, Ellen, and a host of family and friends.
Published by Disabled American Veterans. View All Articles.
This page can be found at http://digital.dav.org/article/REMEMBRANCE/3479683/619654/article.html.