DAV Magazine — January/February 2017
LETTERS
Hacksaw Ridge
I saw the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” on the cover of DAV Magazine in [November/December]. This film should be seen widely and win some major awards. It’s disheartening to imagine that movies about fictional “super” heroes did so much better at the box office. We need to do a better job making sure people know that real heroes don’t wear tights. David Lake, Little Egg Harbor, N.J.
I enjoyed the story about Desmond Doss in DAV Magazine, and I am proud to have known him when he lived here in Alabama. It’s important that people know that the story of Doss’ life is not fully complete until you consider the great deeds he did throughout his life as an active member of DAV and his local community. He wasn’t comfortable being out front, but he’d do just about anything to help his fellow veterans and people in the community. Pastor Rick Blythe, Piedmont, Ala.
Pearl Harbor survivor
I was really amazed by the story [November/December] of Will Lehner, who was on the crew who fired the first shots at a Japanese submarine before the attack on Pearl Harbor. It’s amazing to think he went all those years knowing he was a vital witness to history without being able to prove his involvement. Veterans like Mr. Lehner are fading quickly, but we owe it to them to continue their legacy of service for those who follow in their footsteps. Kimberly Head, Manteo, N.C.
Mental health study
I saw the story in the November/ December issue of DAV Magazine about the VA surpassing the private sector in care quality. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, I’ve received mental health care through the VA for several years now. Before that, PTSD had a devastating effect on nearly every aspect of my life. Having received the help, I’m not surprised the VA outperforms the private sector in mental health care. They know veterans and our unique issues. More progress needs to be made to get veterans access to care, so they can overcome the limitations that PTSD can wreak on their lives. That’s where the real focus needs to be. Name withheld by request
Golden Corral appreciates veterans
I don’t think enough can be said about the hard work that Golden Corral does to support DAV chapters through Military Appreciation Night. This year, our chapter raised more than $17,000 through the event in Muskogee. Today, it seems like every restaurant in the country has some “freebie” to offer veterans in November. It’s great that they do. But Golden Corral has been doing this since just after 9/11, and their program helps us fund our local service initiatives throughout the year. They deserve our gratitude and patronage. Melvin Francis, Muskogee, Okla.
Commissary privileges
As a 30 percent disabled veteran, I agree with the letter by Richard L. Cross in the September/October issue of DAV Magazine. There is a commissary and exchange within a 30-minute drive, and it is frustrating not to be able to use it. HR 1292 should be passed. Mel Fox, Petaluma, Calif.
Togus VA Medical Center
The national adjutant’s commentary in the September/October issue referred to the Togus VA Medical Center, formerly the Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, opened in 1865, as “the very first Veterans Home borne of the Civil War.” Dedicated on July 4, 1864, Fitch’s Home for Soldiers and Their Orphans in Darien, Conn., evolved into the State Veterans Home and Hospital, which is still operated by the state of Connecticut. “The Home” provides a health care facility with 180 beds and a domicile with 480 beds, offering a wide spectrum of services to the state’s wartime veterans. As the former commandant of “The Home,” I would be remiss if I failed to point to the 152-year history of the first veterans facility in America. David B. McQuillan, Avon, Conn.
DAV on social media
facebook.com/DAV
DAV was absolutely phenomenal. They helped me submit my claim to the VA, and they updated me constantly. I still can’t believe the entire process only took four months. Their professionalism and knowledge of the process was impeccable. Nothing but respect for this great organization! Bill DaMetz
twitter.com/DAVHQ
On #VeteransDayWeekend, @Harvard_Law @LegalServsCtr runs to honor those who served @DAVHQ 5K in South Boston! #VeteransDay Harvard Legal Services Center
WRITE TO US We welcome letters from our readers. Please mail them to DAV Magazine, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, or submit them via email to feedback@dav.org. We regret we are unable to acknowledge every letter due to the volume received. We also welcome feedback on our Facebook (facebook.com/DAV) and Twitter (twitter.com/davhq) pages. Letters used are subject to editing for clarity, style, accuracy, space and propriety. Messages involving individual claims are referred to the DAV Service Department.
I saw the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” on the cover of DAV Magazine in [November/December]. This film should be seen widely and win some major awards. It’s disheartening to imagine that movies about fictional “super” heroes did so much better at the box office. We need to do a better job making sure people know that real heroes don’t wear tights. David Lake, Little Egg Harbor, N.J.
I enjoyed the story about Desmond Doss in DAV Magazine, and I am proud to have known him when he lived here in Alabama. It’s important that people know that the story of Doss’ life is not fully complete until you consider the great deeds he did throughout his life as an active member of DAV and his local community. He wasn’t comfortable being out front, but he’d do just about anything to help his fellow veterans and people in the community. Pastor Rick Blythe, Piedmont, Ala.
Pearl Harbor survivor
I was really amazed by the story [November/December] of Will Lehner, who was on the crew who fired the first shots at a Japanese submarine before the attack on Pearl Harbor. It’s amazing to think he went all those years knowing he was a vital witness to history without being able to prove his involvement. Veterans like Mr. Lehner are fading quickly, but we owe it to them to continue their legacy of service for those who follow in their footsteps. Kimberly Head, Manteo, N.C.
Mental health study
I saw the story in the November/ December issue of DAV Magazine about the VA surpassing the private sector in care quality. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, I’ve received mental health care through the VA for several years now. Before that, PTSD had a devastating effect on nearly every aspect of my life. Having received the help, I’m not surprised the VA outperforms the private sector in mental health care. They know veterans and our unique issues. More progress needs to be made to get veterans access to care, so they can overcome the limitations that PTSD can wreak on their lives. That’s where the real focus needs to be. Name withheld by request
Golden Corral appreciates veterans
I don’t think enough can be said about the hard work that Golden Corral does to support DAV chapters through Military Appreciation Night. This year, our chapter raised more than $17,000 through the event in Muskogee. Today, it seems like every restaurant in the country has some “freebie” to offer veterans in November. It’s great that they do. But Golden Corral has been doing this since just after 9/11, and their program helps us fund our local service initiatives throughout the year. They deserve our gratitude and patronage. Melvin Francis, Muskogee, Okla.
Commissary privileges
As a 30 percent disabled veteran, I agree with the letter by Richard L. Cross in the September/October issue of DAV Magazine. There is a commissary and exchange within a 30-minute drive, and it is frustrating not to be able to use it. HR 1292 should be passed. Mel Fox, Petaluma, Calif.
Togus VA Medical Center
The national adjutant’s commentary in the September/October issue referred to the Togus VA Medical Center, formerly the Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, opened in 1865, as “the very first Veterans Home borne of the Civil War.” Dedicated on July 4, 1864, Fitch’s Home for Soldiers and Their Orphans in Darien, Conn., evolved into the State Veterans Home and Hospital, which is still operated by the state of Connecticut. “The Home” provides a health care facility with 180 beds and a domicile with 480 beds, offering a wide spectrum of services to the state’s wartime veterans. As the former commandant of “The Home,” I would be remiss if I failed to point to the 152-year history of the first veterans facility in America. David B. McQuillan, Avon, Conn.
DAV on social media
facebook.com/DAV
DAV was absolutely phenomenal. They helped me submit my claim to the VA, and they updated me constantly. I still can’t believe the entire process only took four months. Their professionalism and knowledge of the process was impeccable. Nothing but respect for this great organization! Bill DaMetz
twitter.com/DAVHQ
On #VeteransDayWeekend, @Harvard_Law @LegalServsCtr runs to honor those who served @DAVHQ 5K in South Boston! #VeteransDay Harvard Legal Services Center
WRITE TO US We welcome letters from our readers. Please mail them to DAV Magazine, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, or submit them via email to feedback@dav.org. We regret we are unable to acknowledge every letter due to the volume received. We also welcome feedback on our Facebook (facebook.com/DAV) and Twitter (twitter.com/davhq) pages. Letters used are subject to editing for clarity, style, accuracy, space and propriety. Messages involving individual claims are referred to the DAV Service Department.
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