A member of the Minnesota National Guard for 27 years, Stephen “Butch” Whitehead was activated to deploy to Iraq in 2005. After 15 months in theater he returned home to a new assignment—helping soldiers transitioning out of the military—which is how the now-national Senior Vice Commander was first introduced to DAV. The new millennium of service At the turn of the century, better training and medical advances meant surviving multiple severe injuries was the norm, not the exception. DAV leaders volunteered at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where severely wounded service members recovered. commonly used to get rid of waste at military sites in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many veterans returned home and then grew ill—some even died—after contact with the dangerous toxins. In 2008, DAV began advocating to bring to light the health risks associated with burn pits, ultimately helping establish the burn pit registry for veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as Djibouti, Africa. DAV National Senior Vice Commander Stephen “Butch” Whitehead’s Minnesota National Guard unit received orders to Iraq in 2005. After 15 months in theater performing security and detainee operations, he returned home to a new assignment—helping soldiers transitioning out of the military—which is how he first came to know DAV. “The mission aligned with my passion for serving those who served, so it was a natural fit,” explained Whitehead, who retired as a command sergeant major earlier this year after 27 years of service. “DAV truly stands ready to fight for veterans and their benefits.” While Operation Iraqi Freedom officially ended in 2011, American troops returned again in 2014 in response to terrorist activity from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan ended in 2014, but an advisory mission began in 2015. American troops are still in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Bahl echoed the sentiment that she hears fellow post-9/11 veterans share: They served overseas so that the next generation wouldn’t have to. Despite this, Bahl’s oldest son, Austin Schwendinger, who was 5 when she deployed, joined the National Guard in 2016. That same year, Bahl joined DAV. She currently serves as senior vice commander for DAV Department of Iowa as well as commander of DAV Chapter 6 in Dubuque. “DAV helped me with my claim,” explained Bahl. “They fought for me so I wasn’t by myself. So I figured, if someone is going to help me, why not join the fight?” Q Past National Commander Jim Sursley (left), provided newly injured service members valuable insight into what to expect on the road to recovery. A triple amputee injured during the Vietnam War, Sursley reassured young veterans that a fulfilling life was still possible after injury. Past National Commander Don Sioss (right) talks with Army veteran Tammy Duckworth, who was injured when the Blackhawk helicopter she was piloting was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq. Duckworth now serves as a U.S. senator and was named Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year by DAV in 2008. Previously serving as a Congresswoman, Duckworth was sworn in at the DAV National Service and Legislative Headquarters in Washington, D.C. 27
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The new millennium of service
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