DAV & Auxiliary National Convention Award Highlights Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year Texas native Callie Rios was named the 2018 Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year. After enlisting in the Army at 18, Rios was attacked by a fellow soldier and did not find much support from her unit. She now works to ensure no other military sexual trauma survivor travels the road to recovery alone, and uses her experience to help others overcome injuries that are invisible to others. She formerly served as the junior vice commander of DAV Chapter 58 in Midland, Texas, where she spearheaded a women veterans conference, Heroes in Heels, which linked former servicewomen with invisible wounds with mental health practitioners who can provide counseling. In addition to supporting women veterans, Rios provided outreach to former service members at an area college and has served her home state for nearly a decade as a volunteer member of the Texas State Guard, supporting humanitarian missions, including Hurricane Harvey. Rios is now a member of DAV Chapter 187 in El Paso. Outstanding Auxiliary Member of the Year Mary Lee Kolter (right), of Auxiliary Unit 101 in Nokomis, Fla., receives the 2018 Outstanding Auxiliary Member of the Year award from then-Auxiliary National Commander Craig Johniken (left). Kolter initiated Adopt-a-Vet, a project that places Christmas trees in the Auxiliary building with names of local veterans in area nursing homes who would likely not receive a gift for Christmas. The program served 18 veterans in its first year and grew to 325 in 2017. Bugle Award Dr. Steven J. Ross (center), a history professor at the University of Southern California, receives the 2018 Bugle Awards from then-National Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster (right) and National Adjutant Marc Burgess (left). The Bugle Awards were created in 2005 to recognize the outstanding contributions of the media in support of disabled veterans. Ross’ book “Hitler in Los Angeles” highlights a 1930s DAV spy ring that infiltrated a group of American Nazi sympathizers to thwart its spread and plans of violence. The book has been optioned to become a film. DAV.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ 13
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DAV & Auxiliary National Convention Award Highlights
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