“I started working at DAV because I wanted to help fellow veterans. It feels good to provide disaster relief assistance because these are veterans in great need,” said Hill. “I’m a veteran, and that’s what we do. We have each other’s backs.” Hill and her team traveled to Baton Rouge to provide financial assistance and emergency-relief kits—backpacks stuffed with blankets and hygiene items— to impacted veterans. The need was overwhelming. The Disaster Relief Program fund was dwindling due to the large number of efforts supported in 2016, but there were still many Louisiana veterans in need. DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess put out a call asking for support for the program, which is funded completely through donations. DAV supporters answered, donating more than $125,000, which allowed Hill and her team to return to Baton Rouge four times. They were able to provide more than $72,900 worth of vouchers, as well as 250 emergency-relief kits, to veterans. DAV has provided more than 700 grants totaling $270,800 across the nation in 2016. Disabled veterans in Louisiana alone have received $173,000 in vouchers since January. Additionally, at time of publication DAV has directed more than $69,000 in emergency relief assistance to veterans in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Among those helped were Army veteran Van Johnson and his wife, who had to be rescued from their home by boat. The Vietnam veteran lost everything. “DAV’s support means so much,” said Johnson. “A little bit can make a whole lot of difference when you don’t have anything,” This message was echoed by many of the veterans DAV was able to support. “I’m completely starting over,” said Erma Williams, an Air Force veteran. “This support is everything. To have someone come and give assistance, it makes you feel like someone cares. To have someone say, ‘It’s OK, DAV National Commander Dave Riley speaks with a veteran receiving disaster relief support in Baton Rouge, La. I’ve got your back—To me, this means you don’t have to suffer by yourself.” Army veterans Wishedell Ridley, Felix Hatch and Cartier Brown grew up in the same neighborhood and went to boot camp together at Fort Polk in 1969. All three also received aid from DAV when their homes flooded. “This support makes me feel appreciated for what I did for my country,” said Ridley, a DAV life member. DAV National Commander Dave Riley also traveled to Baton Rouge to provide his support and assistance on the ground during one of DAV’s return trips. “Being able to show that DAV is here for moral support, and that we will be here after the disaster, is important,” said Riley. “It’s so good to see the smiles on faces when we are able to help so these veterans can get the essentials they need right now. “Going to a location ravaged by a natural disaster to support our brothers and sisters in greatest need certainly isn’t easy, but DAV will make every attempt to reach out and get them help. DAV means veterans helping veterans, and providing some interim relief is a small way we can say thank you for your service and we’re here for you.” Q 11 DAV.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/DAV | @DAVHQ