DAV Magazine articles from September 2004

DAV Magazine archives from September 2004

DAV celebrates another great convention ...(REPORT from RENO)
September 1, 2004... Convention activities, clockwise from upper left, a Virginia delegate enjoys the custom cars on display at the Reno Hilton as part of the citywide "Hot August Nights" auto show; National Legislative Director Joseph Violante, left, congratulates...

Legacy for the future: James E. Sursely, a combat-disabled veteran of the Vietnam War, was elected National Commander on August 3, 2004, by a unanimous vote of the delegates to the 83rd National Convention in Reno, Nevada. Following are highlights of his acceptance remarks, which were received with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation at its conclusion.
September 1, 2004... Throughout a person's life, there are some occasions that seem to stand out above many others. This is one of those moments for me. I feel very humbled by your support. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your National...

A year of service: the following are highlights of National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson's report to the delegates of the DAV's 83rd National Convention in Reno, Nevada.(Disabled American Veterans)
September 1, 2004... As we embark on a new membership year--one that offers great opportunities to advance the interests of disabled veterans and their families, we are afforded an excellent venue to evaluate how far we've come over the last 12 months. We can take...

VA medical care deserves praise.(Loud & Clear)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... * I am a proud life member, and I would like to say something about VA hospitals. Some may not be good. But the Mt. Vernon, Missouri VA hospital is wonderful. They are very nice and very helpful. I don't think I would be alive if not for the...

Letter to the Editor.(Loud & Clear)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... * The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has always been able to purchase drugs and offer them to veterans at a cost far less than that available in the private sector. Those days may be coming to an end quickly if efforts of the U.S. Congress...

National convention: a moment above all others.(Disabled American Veterans elects James E. Sursely as National Commander )
September 1, 2004... For combat-disabled triple amputee James E. Sursely, his unanimous election as National Commander at the 83rd DAV National Convention in Reno, Nev., was a moment that stands above all others. "Throughout a person's life, there are some...

Sodano back on top as recruiter of the year.(Prospero Sodano receives DAV Recruiter of the Year award from Disabled American Veterans)
September 1, 2004... New York's Prospero Sodano brought 1,216 new members into the DAV fold over the course of the 2003-2004 membership year to capture his eighth DAV Recruiter of the Year title. The all-time DAV membership recruiting record holder, Sodano is...

Providing a foundation for service.
September 1, 2004... A variety of information seminars at the 83rd National Convention provided delegates the necessary building blocks to create and improve service programs to help disabled veterans in their communities. "We are pleased that so many of the...

Survivors face deadline for restored benefits.(benefits for surviving spouses of deceased veterans)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Some surviving spouses of deceased veterans have until Dec. 15 to apply for reinstatement of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits. Last year, President Bush signed the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, Public Law 108-183,...

VA offers chiropractic care.(Department of Veterans Affairs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Veterans can receive chiropractic care at 26 selected VA facilities beginning this fall. The VA will hire or contract with doctors of chiropractic to offer patient evaluations and chiropractic care for neuromusculosketetal conditions in...

DAV membership reaches all-time high.(Disabled American Veterans)
September 1, 2004... The DAV's total membership has reached a record 5,264,181, proving the DAV is a vital force for a growing number of our nation's sick and disabled veterans. Additionally, full paid life members have reached 953,656--a surge that reflects...

Panchito.
September 1, 2004... Right, the DAV's autograph headquarters has been a popular draw for air show visitors. Below, a DAV National Service Officer assists a disabled veteran in filing a claim for VA benefits. Left Panchito crew member Kevin Smith, a former Navy...

Legacy of Pride, Patriotism, and Service.(National Summit on Women Veterans Issues)
September 1, 2004... Gender-specific medical care, mental health and sexual trauma services, the changing role of women in the military, and the effectiveness of the VA benefits delivery system were featured prominently at the third National Summit on Women...

DAV recognizes World War II veterans in congress.(Disabled American Veterans)
September 1, 2004... The DAV July 14 presented to each of 12 World War II veterans of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate a specially designed award containing a piece of granite from the National World War II Memorial in recognition of their...

A Decade of Excellence.(Disabled American Veterans' growth, achievements and services)
September 1, 2004... In one short decade, the DAV reaffirmed its place as the world's best veterans service organization by enlarging our corps of National Service Officers (NSOs), offering new and better services to veterans, setting records for membership, and...

Helping former POW benefits widow.(compensation and benefits for prisoners of war's widows)
September 1, 2004... On Dec. 16, 1944, amid the snow and bitter cold, Marshal von Runstedt launched his three German armies against the allies in what would become known as the Battle of the Bulge. Two days later the Battle of the Bulge ended for 20-year-old,...

Presidential candidates present views on DAV priority issues.(Disabled American Veterans, funding for veterans)
September 1, 2004... Mandatory Funding for VA Health Care DAV: The current discretionary funding method for veterans' health care is broken. The needs of our nation's sick and disabled veterans have not been adequately met for many years. Continued funding...

Veteran vote may be key to election.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Considering that the 2004 presidential election, by most measures, is shaping up to be among the closest contests on record, President Bush and Senator John F. Kerry both have been waging an all-out fight for the votes of America's veterans, a...

Support our mission with workplace giving.(Disabled American Veterans' campaigning)
September 1, 2004... There has never been a more important time to support the DAV's mission of service to disabled veterans and their families. The nation's war on terror has put an increased strain on an already taxed veterans' health care system. Who will...

A big hit for hospitalized veterans.(Day at the Ballpark, Disabled American Veterans hosts basketball game for hospitalized veterans )
September 1, 2004... A mid the aroma of hot dogs and the cheers of fans in packed ballparks around the country, DAV members this summer hosted hundreds of hospitalized veterans and returning Iraq and Afghanistan service members at Major League Baseball games. ...

Charitable Service Trust funds vital veterans' programs.
September 1, 2004... From aquatic rehabilitation for recently disabled veterans to vital medical exams for homeless veterans, the DAV Charitable Service Trust is supporting a wide-range of heartwarming programs that honor our nation's veterans by providing the care...

Love is not love until you give it away ...(Disabled American Veterans appoints Gertrude E. Tidwell)
September 1, 2004... To say I am overwhelmed would be an understatement; I m thrilled you have elected me to serve as your Auxiliary National Commander for the next year. I became a member of the Auxiliary in 1983 for the second time. Auxiliary Unit 60 in...

America needs great leadership.(Chaplain's Corner)(Column)
September 1, 2004... As our nation faces the task of voting and selecting leadership this November I hear God's voice telling us to pray intently for the proper leaders to be elected. Our country is at war with evil and terror, and never since the foundation of our...

Two for one ...
September 1, 2004... Virginia Tebbe, right, the 1st Jr. Vice Commander of DAV Auxiliary Unit 70, Iverness, Fla., gets a helping hand from Unit 70 Commander Ann Cope displaying two awards she received recently. The plaque Virginia is holding recognizes her 55 years...

"Miracles on a Mountainside" are waiting for you.(19th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic)
September 1, 2004... Miracles on a Mountainside and lots of fun and excitement are waiting for you at the 19th Annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colo., April 3-8, 2005. "Don't put off signing up for the National...

Retired NSD Walter Zomont dies.(Disabled American Veterans's Walter F. Zomont , National Service Officer )(Obituary)
September 1, 2004... Walter F. Zomont, 57, a retired DAV National Service Officer (NSO), died from cardiac arrest at his home in Lewiston, N.Y., on August 6. "National Service Officer Walter Zomont dedicated his career to securing benefits and services for...

Center honors DAV founder.(Captain Robert S. Marx Veterans Recovery Center, Disabled American Veterans's Mike Mullen)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Vice Chief of Naval Operations Mike Mullen, 2nd from right, unveils a sign designating a three-building complex at Joseph House for Homeless Veterans in Cincinnati as the Captain Robert S. Marx Veterans Recovery Center in honor of DAV's...

Newly elected DAV National officers ...(Disabled American Veterans, membership)
September 1, 2004... DAV National Officers for the 2004-2005 membership year are, from left, Michael E. Dobmeier, National Judge Advocate; Bobby Barrera, 4th Jr. Vice Commander; Bradley S. Barton, seated, 1st Jr. Vice Commander; Robert T. Reynolds, 2nd Jr. Vice...

Newly elected DAV Auxiliary National officers ...(Disabled American Veterans' membership)
September 1, 2004... DAV Auxiliary National Officers for the 2004-2005 membership year are, from left, Judy M. Steinhouse, Senior Vice Commander; Donna M. Tanner, 1st Jr. Vice Commander; Kathryn A. Wiley, 2nd Jr. Vice Commander; Gertrude E. Tidwell, seated,...

Department of California DAV leaders give straight shooting advice ...
September 1, 2004... Delphine Medcalf-Foster, left, and Past National Commander George Steese, at right, advise a marksman at the 2004 National Veterans Golden Age Games in Fresno, Calif. This year over 500 veterans gatherd to compete in the nation's largest...

Reunions.
September 1, 2004... Because of increasing number of requests and the space limitations of our magazine, we must limit publication of unit reunions to one time only. Send such notices at least six months in advance to: Reunions, DAV Magazine, P.O. Box 14301,...

Inquiries.
September 1, 2004... This column is for inquiries submitted to DAV members and other interested persons attempting to locate persons to substantiate a claim for service-connected injuries. Your request will be processed through various means in an effort to find...

Commander mom and son ...(Disabled American Veterans appoints David Hungate, and Shirley T- Goodwin)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... David Hungate is installed as Commander, DAV Chapter 58, Gloucester, Va. on May 5, 2004, and his mother, Shirley T- Goodwin, is installed at the same time as Commander, DAV Auxiliary Unit 58, making this DAV Chapter and Auxiliary Unit a true...

DAV essay winners ...
September 1, 2004... Right, Trent Parum and Karlie Ramberger, 8th grade "A" students at Adams Middle School in Grand Prairie, Texas won the DAV Chapter and Auxiliary Unit 42 Patriotism Essay Contest last April. Their essays were among 25 submitted. A committee of...

New York greets Gala guest ...
September 1, 2004... Above, Past Commanders of DAV Chapter 23, Bronx, N. Y., greet NBC Nightly News Anchor and Managing Editor Tom Brokaw, 2nd from left, during the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Awards Gala at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manhattan last April. Proceeds...

Helping hospitalized veterans ...
September 1, 2004... Right, On behalf of the DAV Department of South Carolina and the DAV Auxiliary State Department of South Carolina, Department Commander Prince Tucker, left, and DAV Associate VAVS Representative Blake Hill, 4th from left, present checks...

Georgia remembers POW/MIAs ...(salute to prisoners of war and missing in action veterans)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Plaques such as the one pictured here are installed at all interstate rest areas and welcome centers throughout Georgia saluting its veterans, those who were killed in action, taken prisoner of war and who remain missing in action.

Auxiliary Service Fund donors.(Disabled American Veterans' finance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The following donated $100 or more to the DAV Auxiliary Service Fund: DAVA State Department of Arkansas; DAVA State Department of Florida; DAVA State Department of Georgia; DAVA State Department of Idaho; DAVA State Department of Indiana; DAVA...

Concurrent receipt compromise unfair.(Loud & Clear)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... * The U.S. Army retired me out as permanently unfit for duty because of wounds received in combat in Vietnam. At that time, I had over 16 years active service and over 18 years for pay purposes. I was serving on my last and retirement hitch....

Politics and veterans.(Loud & Clear)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... An Associated Press article states that President Bush's 2005 budget calls for a new annual $250 enrollment fee and an increase in prescription drug co-pays from $7 to $15 per month for veterans. Two years ago Bush raised the veterans co-pay...

Left out of dedication.(Loud & Clear)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... * Being a World War II veteran with life membership in the DAV, I was looking forward to the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 2004. Being hard of hearing and depending on closed captioning, I was...