Hurley and Judge Advocate Paula Raymond. In her final statements and report to the convention, outgoing National Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster noted the tremendous work done during her time leading the organization by members and supporters on behalf of caregivers and women veterans, both of which will continue to remain top legislative priorities for the organization during Nixon’s tenure at the helm. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished together,” she said, “but remain hungry for more.” Metcalf-Foster detailed DAV’s co-sponsorship of the 2017 National Women Veterans Summit and efforts working with Congress to enact the remaining recom-mendations from the organization’s groundbreaking 2014 report Women Veterans: The Long Journey Home. “I am pleased to announce that DAV will be releasing a follow-up report on women veterans in September and hosting an event on Capitol Hill,” she revealed. “We will remain steadfast and dedicated to these causes until women have the support they earned through service.” Metcalf-Foster went on to describe the organization’s efforts to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs’ comprehensive caregiver assistance program to veterans of all eras, which came to fruition when the president signed the VA MISSION Act of 2018 in June. “This is a major milestone,” she said, “but we will not slow down or flinch in our unwavering support and will ensure the swift implementation of this new law.” While the legislation extends caregiver benefits to veterans severely injured before 9/11, it omits those whose injuries are a result of serious illnesses, such as Past National Commander Dave Riley, who contracted a bacterial infection that led to him becoming a quadruple amputee during his service. DAV will continue to fight for equitable caregiver benefits for Riley and countless veterans like him. “Leading an organization like DAV isn’t easy,” Metcalf-Foster admitted. “But it remains one of the greatest honors of my life.” As Metcalf-Foster closed her remarks and her time as national commander, the crowd marked her service to veterans and their families with a standing ovation. Then-acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Peter O’Rourke, a Navy and Air Force veteran, delivered remarks to DAV members during the joint opening session, focusing on the department’s recent modern-ization efforts and the relationship between the VA and DAV. (VA Secretary Robert Wilkie was confirmed by the Senate the following week and sworn in as the depart-ment’s 10th secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 30.) Left: Past National Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster (right) presents the national commander’s pin to National Commander Dennis Nixon during the introduction of national officers on the final night of the convention. Right: Auxiliary National Commander Ellen Timmerman speaks during the Introduction of line officers ceremony. Timmerman joined the Auxiliary in 2005 and is a member of Unit 32 in Albuquerque, N.M., and Unit 21 in Denver. DAV.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ 9