From the NATIONAL COMMANDER COMMENTARY DENNIS R. NIXON W Passing the reins hen I stepped on a land mine in Vietnam 50 years ago, I thought the best parts of my life had been stolen from me. Losing my leg took me from being a young, cocky Marine to feeling broken, useless and defeated. Luckily, in 1972, I found DAV. And as it has turned out, my life actually forever changed for the better. It’s hard for me to believe this is my last message to many of you as the commander of our incredible organization. While I have decades of DAV memories to look back on, this past year has been one of the greatest honors of my life. When I took the reins of our organization in Reno, Nev., last July, I implored our members to get to work in being voices of encouragement and inspiration to our fellow veterans. I am happy to report that you all saw my charge through. Whether it was advocating for the proper implementation of the VA MISSION Act, fighting for improved survivors and expanded caregiver benefits, campaign-ing for Blue Water Navy veterans or standing up for our sisters-in-arms, you never wavered in support of the men and women who served. That tenacious fighting spirit will continue to serve veterans long after we depart Orlando, Fla., and a new leader takes the reins. I thank Chapter 20 in Fort Worth, the Department of Texas and the wonderful staffs at our respective headquarters in Cold Spring and Washington, D.C., for their unmatched service and support. But most importantly, I’d like to thank each and every one of you—the more than 1 million members who represent different ages, genders, eras of service, and types of injuries and illnesses. DAV gives us all the unique opportunity to empower and improve the lives of our fellow veterans. Everything that our beloved organization has accomplished in the past year would not be possible without each and every one of you and the unique perspectives you bring to our ranks. But this Marine isn’t going to let you off easy, which is why I’m leaving you with the same thought I first challenged you with in Reno: Think about your DAV legacy. What will you do to ensure our promises are kept and our services remain substantive and effective? The seeds we plant today contribute to the legacy of our mission. If DAV is to continue its work for another 100 years, we need to inspire and be a voice of encouragement to our brothers and sisters. Thank you all for all you have done and for the continued excellence in serving our fellow veterans, their families and survivors. Keep up the good work. God bless you all, Godspeed, and Semper Fi. DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ | COMPANY/DAVHQ | DAVETERANS | DISABLEDVETERANS 1
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Passing the reins
Dennis R. Nixon
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