COMMENTARY From the NATIONAL COMMANDER DAVID W. RILEY Happy holidays; looking ahead to 2017 W e in the veteran community It’s incredible to see the outpouring of know all too well the impact support from fellow veterans and military of saying, “Send me; I will go,” members, friends and neighbors alike at when our nation asks its sons and these races. daughters to deploy forward to protect It takes hundreds of staff and volunteers the homeland and our way of life. to put on these 5K events and they, as As we rapidly approach our country’s well as the participants, have my heartfelt most festive and—for many—most gratitude. This is a true example of sacred time of year, I ask you to remem-“marching in lockstep” and shows just ber the toll that’s paid by families and a sliver of what we can achieve when we loved ones when called come together in local away during the holiday communities. DAV and the season. As such, let us Though we know Auxiliary should surround ourselves the divide in experience with those we hold support each other between civilians and dear and cherish the veterans has been like overlapping freedom we have to growing for decades, fields of fire. assemble, worship and I believe things like celebrate the coming the DAV 5K can be holidays as we see fit. Veterans and instrumental in bridging that gap and their families, together, have earned it. bringing about a greater sense of mutual Not long ago, I attended our DAV understanding and support. Auxiliary’s Fall Conference. Auxiliary DAV has a ton of momentum going National Commander Fran Costa’s into the new year. I hope you’ll help me message was very clear: We’re a keep the ball moving forward. If able, stronger organization when we please join me at our 2017 Mid-Winter “march in lockstep” with each other. Conference in Washington, D.C., in She couldn’t be more correct. DAV February, as I deliver my testimony and the Auxiliary should support each to Congress about issues affecting other like overlapping fields of fire. veterans and their families. Keep an She has my support, and I am very eye on dav.org for further information grateful for hers as well. about scheduling. This year, we’re honoring veterans I’m looking forward to continuing the at the DAV 5K Walk, Roll, Run or Ride fight in 2017, and I’m very proud to have in Atlanta, Cincinnati and in expansion you with me as we continue this journey. cities Boston; Tulsa, Okla.; and Newport It’s an absolute honor to serve as your News, Va. National Commander. DAV.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/DAV | @DAVHQ 1
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Happy holidays; looking ahead to 2017
David W. Riley
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