Layton Lamphere, who supervises the DAV service office in Muskogee, Okla., said information seminars attract anywhere from 20 to 150 people, depending on the area. “We really try to reach people who don’t typically have face-to-face contact with DAV representatives,” said Lamphere. “We also go into large cities for veterans who don’t have the time or resources to travel to Muskogee to speak with us.” The seminars also allow DAV advocates to discuss localized benefits, as well as changes to policies and laws governing VA benefits. “We hit really hard on the Blue Water Navy issue during our last seminar,” Lamphere explained. “That was a huge change we wanted our veterans and their families to be aware of.” Both Martinez and Lamphere said department-level leadership involvement is critical to making the information seminars a success. “Our service officers and staff, from the national level down to the chapters, are trained to spot what veterans in their communities need,” said Marszalek. “What we do is not one size fits all, and the information seminars help us get out there and meet the unique needs each veteran has.” Like all DAV services, information seminars are always free for veterans and their families. Membership is not required to take full advantage of DAV’s programs. ■ Learn More Online You can find a schedule of upcoming information seminars at www.dav.org/wp-content/uploads/ InformationSeminarCalendar.pdf, or learn more from your local national service office by reaching them at benefitsquestions.org. Information seminars bring veterans face to face with DAV members who can help them get justice and the compensation they earned in service. DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ | COMPANY/DAVHQ | DAVETERANS | DISABLEDVETERANS 17