This year marks the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization.
This organization, created by and for disabled American veterans on Sept. 25, 1920, provides an invaluable partnership with United States Armed Forces and the American people and those who come home wounded or sick. These veterans are in need of care and attention from a grateful nation. The DAV provides a place of trust and compassion for wartime disabled Americans. It is not a story of the able-bodied taking care of veterans, but rather veterans helping veterans build better lives. Their mission statement, dedicated to one single purpose: “Building Better Lives for All of our Nation’s Disabled Veterans and Families.”
Wars and scars are facts of history. Conflict was the catalyst of the Disabled American Veterans formation in response to the painful effects of World War I. Then World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and other post-Vietnam wars gave us many more veterans. At this moment today, our nation is struggling once again with the impact of war as American men and women facing combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and other nations return home. A great deal has changed since the DAV formed, but what has remained the same: those who come home from war wounded or sick still need the care and attention of the nation.
The DAV provides veterans and families help in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service. The goal is to provide outreach programs concerning the veteran, with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies and to bring representation to the disabled veterans families, spouses and orphans before Congress, the White House and judicial branch, and at the state and local government levels. The DAV extends the mission of hope into the communities where veterans live. This is achieved by a network of state-level departments and local chapters. These provide the veterans a structured place where they can express their compassion for fellow veterans through volunteer programs.
It is these same facts of history that spurred the creation of the DAV. Compassion and service are the tools that make it what it is today. Those returning from the war must have men and women waiting for them who will stand by them as they work to take back their lives. The DAV provides veterans and civilians an outlet where they can fully express the appreciation and concern for those who have risked so much for our country. The DAV is the story of these men and women who made the commitment that none of America’s heroes should ever go it alone. Battle-scarred veterans return home having paid the price of freedom, are facing challenging times ahead. In the face of taking back their lives, they are seeking to help their Brother in Arms. They are finding camaraderie and raising money despite these challenges. The DAV is largely funded by generosity of individuals and charitable fundraising. DAV volunteer drivers provide much-needed transportation for veterans to appointments. The DAV provides Honor Guard service at funerals for veterans, along with the American Legion. The DAV volunteers in community service and they have a scholarship program.
The DAV continues to serve and represent the well-being of all vets who come home disabled. The greatest accomplishment of the DAV is its representation of millions of veterans as attorney-in-fact before the VA. The DAV is a source of national pride. Its membership is at record levels. Its record of service and hope continues to be relevant. Although it was World War I veterans who founded the DAV, the opportunity became paid forward to all disabled veterans from succeeding wars. The DAV remembers those who served and sacrificed for our nation. It is the DAV that has taken responsibility to ensure elected officials remember the price paid for the defense of freedom. The injured coming home today will need the DAV support now and 50 years from now. It is what is done today, that will mean the difference in health care, compensation and veterans rights in the middle of the 21st century and into the future.
Please support your local DAV. Join and make a difference.
Beverly Behasa is a resident of Kailua-Kona.