DAV Magazine — March/April 2017
CHAPTER & DEPARTMENT
Volunteer recognition...
National Senior Vice Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster (far left) receives a volunteer service award from San Francisco VA Medical Center’s Hospital Director Bonnie Graham (left center) for 17 years of volunteering at the center. DAV representatives Andrea Mack (right center) and Thomas Mack (right) also accepted a service award for DAV’s outstanding partnership with the San Francisco VA Health Care System.
Hugs for veterans...
Chapters and Units 1 and 6 from Morrow and Marietta, Ga., respectively, sponsored a cookout to get veterans together, show support and ultimately “share a hug.” Atlanta VA Medical Center staff—along with DAV and Auxiliary members—joined with the Human Hug Project, an organization designed to help veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and to encourage building a support system.
Youth making a difference…
Michael Tolliver (4th from left), commander of DAV Chapter 4 in Tampa, Fla., and National 4th Junior Vice Commander Andy Marshall (center) present a plaque to the Strawberry Crest High School Junior ROTC cadets. The plaque was awarded to the cadets for their participation in the local Golden Corral Military Appreciation Dinner.
Deer hunt for disabled veterans a success
DAV Department of Minnesota’s Chapter 28 teamed up with the Olmsted County Veterans Service Officer team and the Olmsted Parks team to host the sixth annual Chester Woods Deer Hunt for local disabled veterans. Twenty-seven veterans and 10 family members attended the popular weekend retreat at Olmsted County’s Chester Woods Park over Veterans Day weekend.
"This hunt has grown over the last six years,” said Tom Eckdahl, Chester Woods Supervisor. “This event not only provides a very unique hunting opportunity for the disabled veterans and their dependents, but it brings together a very generous team of sponsors, coordinators and volunteers to make it happen.”
Each event provides an outdoor hunting opportunity for those who may not normally get the chance to get out and hunt like they once did.
“This is an outstanding community project aimed at serving our disabled veterans,” said DAV Past National Commander Jim Sursely, who has participated in this event in the past. “I am so proud of my fellow DAV members and other veterans who made this a success once again.”
Patrick Zeigler, a Chapter 28 member who sustained severe brain trauma after being shot in the head during the Fort Hood shooting in 2009, was able to attend the hunt for the first time.
“It was great to have Patrick, a member of our chapter, join us for the hunt, as it provided him the unique opportunity to connect with the outdoors and participate along with other disabled veterans in a sport he loves,” said DAV Chapter 28 Commander Rich Daly.
Daly also said he is thankful to the sponsors who provided financial help, meals, beverages, snacks, transportation, lodging and equipment.
Chief judge encourages members...
U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Chief Judge Robert N. Davis addressed the DAV Department of Florida Mid-Winter Conference during chapter service officer training. The judge encouraged members to consider advocating for the court to get its own physical courthouse. Members asked that more court appointees be veterans. Davis, a Navy veteran, said he'd take their feedback to Washington.
Chapter donates rowing machine to VA hospital...
DAV Chapter 22 in Brainerd, Minn., donated a new rowing machine to the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. The Minnesota rowing team—consisting of service officers, chapter officers and VA employees—competed in a national competition last fall and placed first, out of 395 teams, in the Medical Facility category.
DAV requests help petitioning for centennial stamp
In 2020, DAV will celebrate 100 years of dedicated service to our nation’s veterans, their families and survivors. As part of this special occasion, DAV has petitioned for a commemorative stamp to be issued by the U.S. Postal Service honoring this significant milestone.
“DAV and Auxiliary members are extremely proud of this milestone and we are asking our supporters to contact the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee and ask that they recognize the service and sacrifices of veterans and their families in this special way,” said National Commander Dave Riley.
All requests for consideration for a commemorative stamp must be in the form of a letter and mailed through the United States Postal Service. Each letter must also be mailed in a separate envelope. Please include information on what the DAV has done for you or your family, which might include assistance with claims or appeals, transportation, disaster relief, hospital visits, providing an outlet to give back or other meaningful contributions.
The committee will meet in April 2017. “A stamp was issued recognizing DAV’s 50th anniversary, but there’s no assurance we’ll be recognized this time around,” said Riley. “To make it possible, we need our members to rally together and send letters of support.”
Get Involved
To help us petition for the stamp, write to Chairwoman Klug and mail letters to: Janet Klug, Chair, Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300, Washington, DC 20260-3501.
Vietnam veteran recognition...
DAV Chapter 7 in Columbus, Ga., sponsored the Vietnam Veteran Recognition Program at the National Civil War Naval Museum. Each veteran (pictured standing) received a certificate of honor from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. Georgia Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Mike Roby presented the certificates.
Share Your News! Send DAV or Auxiliary newstofeedback@dav.org.
Please provide a JPEG image (min. 300dpi), a description, including names of those pictured. Submissions are subject to editing or omission due to clarity, accuracy, space and propriety.
National Senior Vice Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster (far left) receives a volunteer service award from San Francisco VA Medical Center’s Hospital Director Bonnie Graham (left center) for 17 years of volunteering at the center. DAV representatives Andrea Mack (right center) and Thomas Mack (right) also accepted a service award for DAV’s outstanding partnership with the San Francisco VA Health Care System.
Hugs for veterans...
Chapters and Units 1 and 6 from Morrow and Marietta, Ga., respectively, sponsored a cookout to get veterans together, show support and ultimately “share a hug.” Atlanta VA Medical Center staff—along with DAV and Auxiliary members—joined with the Human Hug Project, an organization designed to help veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and to encourage building a support system.
Youth making a difference…
Michael Tolliver (4th from left), commander of DAV Chapter 4 in Tampa, Fla., and National 4th Junior Vice Commander Andy Marshall (center) present a plaque to the Strawberry Crest High School Junior ROTC cadets. The plaque was awarded to the cadets for their participation in the local Golden Corral Military Appreciation Dinner.
Deer hunt for disabled veterans a success
DAV Department of Minnesota’s Chapter 28 teamed up with the Olmsted County Veterans Service Officer team and the Olmsted Parks team to host the sixth annual Chester Woods Deer Hunt for local disabled veterans. Twenty-seven veterans and 10 family members attended the popular weekend retreat at Olmsted County’s Chester Woods Park over Veterans Day weekend.
"This hunt has grown over the last six years,” said Tom Eckdahl, Chester Woods Supervisor. “This event not only provides a very unique hunting opportunity for the disabled veterans and their dependents, but it brings together a very generous team of sponsors, coordinators and volunteers to make it happen.”
Each event provides an outdoor hunting opportunity for those who may not normally get the chance to get out and hunt like they once did.
“This is an outstanding community project aimed at serving our disabled veterans,” said DAV Past National Commander Jim Sursely, who has participated in this event in the past. “I am so proud of my fellow DAV members and other veterans who made this a success once again.”
Patrick Zeigler, a Chapter 28 member who sustained severe brain trauma after being shot in the head during the Fort Hood shooting in 2009, was able to attend the hunt for the first time.
“It was great to have Patrick, a member of our chapter, join us for the hunt, as it provided him the unique opportunity to connect with the outdoors and participate along with other disabled veterans in a sport he loves,” said DAV Chapter 28 Commander Rich Daly.
Daly also said he is thankful to the sponsors who provided financial help, meals, beverages, snacks, transportation, lodging and equipment.
Chief judge encourages members...
U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Chief Judge Robert N. Davis addressed the DAV Department of Florida Mid-Winter Conference during chapter service officer training. The judge encouraged members to consider advocating for the court to get its own physical courthouse. Members asked that more court appointees be veterans. Davis, a Navy veteran, said he'd take their feedback to Washington.
Chapter donates rowing machine to VA hospital...
DAV Chapter 22 in Brainerd, Minn., donated a new rowing machine to the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. The Minnesota rowing team—consisting of service officers, chapter officers and VA employees—competed in a national competition last fall and placed first, out of 395 teams, in the Medical Facility category.
DAV requests help petitioning for centennial stamp
In 2020, DAV will celebrate 100 years of dedicated service to our nation’s veterans, their families and survivors. As part of this special occasion, DAV has petitioned for a commemorative stamp to be issued by the U.S. Postal Service honoring this significant milestone.
“DAV and Auxiliary members are extremely proud of this milestone and we are asking our supporters to contact the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee and ask that they recognize the service and sacrifices of veterans and their families in this special way,” said National Commander Dave Riley.
All requests for consideration for a commemorative stamp must be in the form of a letter and mailed through the United States Postal Service. Each letter must also be mailed in a separate envelope. Please include information on what the DAV has done for you or your family, which might include assistance with claims or appeals, transportation, disaster relief, hospital visits, providing an outlet to give back or other meaningful contributions.
The committee will meet in April 2017. “A stamp was issued recognizing DAV’s 50th anniversary, but there’s no assurance we’ll be recognized this time around,” said Riley. “To make it possible, we need our members to rally together and send letters of support.”
Get Involved
To help us petition for the stamp, write to Chairwoman Klug and mail letters to: Janet Klug, Chair, Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300, Washington, DC 20260-3501.
Vietnam veteran recognition...
DAV Chapter 7 in Columbus, Ga., sponsored the Vietnam Veteran Recognition Program at the National Civil War Naval Museum. Each veteran (pictured standing) received a certificate of honor from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. Georgia Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Mike Roby presented the certificates.
Share Your News! Send DAV or Auxiliary newstofeedback@dav.org.
Please provide a JPEG image (min. 300dpi), a description, including names of those pictured. Submissions are subject to editing or omission due to clarity, accuracy, space and propriety.
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