NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007 www.dav.org DAVMagcov111207.indd 1 10/16/07 3:16:09 PM Still Flying High The DAV Flight Team featured the B-25 bombers “Panchito” and “Special Delivery” at airshows in Cincinnati, Terre Haute, Memphis, and Midland, Texas. The DAV Flight Team has carried the DAV’s message of service to sick and disabled veterans to millions of airshow attendees and garnered hundreds of newspaper articles, television and radio spots, and free publicity. The season wraps up in November with a swing through the southwest. f r o m t h e NATIONAL COMMANDER Season of Service Robert T. Reynolds s we enter the holiday season, please allow me to for our sick and disabled veterans. From chores as simple Awish you and your family the warmest of season’s as making popcorn once a week to escorting patients full- greetings. This season of giving thanks and gift-giving time, our DAV volunteers help fulfill our mission to build also is one in which we should give thanks to the brave better lives for disabled veterans and their families. men and women serving our nation today and remember- Each person who has ever served in the military re- ing their service and sacrifice. We should also remember members those Thanksgivings and holidays spent far from to give the gift of service to the disabled veterans and their home, sometimes in dangerous environments. We can all families who need our support throughout the year. remember the gifts from home and the longing to be with As we enjoy our holiday feasts this year, our prayers our families during this special time of the year. should include the service members now serving in It is no less lonesome for those veterans and service Iraq, Afghanistan and other spots around the world members who are spending their holidays in medical cen- who are protecting our freedoms with their lives. We ters. Please remember those who sacrificed so that we can should honor their sacrifices with our thanks and enjoy the freedom to celebrate these holidays. ask that they all be returned safe and whole to their As we get caught up in the season of shopping, giving families. gifts and gathering our families together it is my hope as As we enter this season of joy and hope, we should your National Commander that you will also spend the be willing to give this same joy and hope to our disabled time and effort to make veterans and their families aware veterans recovering at military and VA hospitals around of our appreciation for all that they have done. our nation. Their needs call out for our support, whether The DAV will have much to do after we celebrate the as a Transportation Network volunteer driver or a DAV new year in 2008. We will continue the initiative for full volunteer. Your service to our hospitalized veterans and funding for VA health care and advocacy for all of our leg- service members will make their season a little brighter islative initiatives. There is much hard work ahead. But and will do the same for you. during this season of thanks and joy, let us share with the The VA always needs new volunteers who will make service members and disabled veterans who have earned long stays in hospitals and nursing homes more endurable it all for us at great sacrifice. DAV MAGAZINE Building Better Lives for America’s Disabled Veterans ® MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007 ®® ® Robert T. Reynolds National Commander National Commander Robert T. Reynolds sends season’s greetings to all and asks that we remember our troops and their families at this special time of year. Arthur H. Wilson 1 National Adjutant & Publisher National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson notes that as lawmakers seek meaningful, Gary Weaver long-term policies to improve benefits and services for disabled veterans, National Director of 3 the views and concerns from the DAV and other stake holders can inform their Communications decisions. David E. Autry Deputy National Director A new $1.5 million grant from the GE Foundation supports a much-needed of Communications expansion of DAV’s Transition Service Program. 5 Arvel “Jim” Hall Assistant National Director Congress has once again failed to pass the VA’s budget on time, as funding for of Communications 6 health care and other vital programs and services is temporarily frozen at last year’s level. Thomas L. Wilborn Assistant National Director National Director of Voluntary Services Edward E. Hartman explains the new of Communications 14 Local Veterans Assistance Program that provides new volunteer opportunities Rob Lewis and incentives. Marketing & Special Events Manager Auxiliary National Commander Kathryn A. Wiley notes that volunteering fills a vital need for disabled veterans and their families and has its own rewards. Dan Clare 17 Associate National Director of Communications Notable athletes from professional sports teams increasingly are partnering with the DAV to honor our nation’s disabled veterans with special events and VA James A. Chaney 22 Production Manager hospital visits. Volume 49, Issue 6, DAV Magazine (ISSN 0885- A group of artists helps the families of fallen servicemembers heal from their 6400) Editorial Office: DAV Magazine, P.O. Box loss by creating and donating gallery-quality portraits of their loved ones as a 26 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Telephone way to honor their service and sacrifice. (859) 441-7300 or toll free (877) I AM A VET. Published and circulated bimonthly bulletin The DAV Charitable Service Trust continues to help support a wide array of by the Disabled American Veterans, a Congres- innovative programs, such as free fully trained service dogs for disabled veter- 30 sionally-chartered, non-profit organization, P.O. ans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. DAV Home Page is www.dav.org. Available on re- A pair of motorcycle enthusiasts traveling cross-country have raised more than cording for the blind and those with physical $16,000 to support DAV service and volunteer programs. 32 handicaps that preclude reading printed mate- rial. The magazine is mailed free to homes of DAV and Auxiliary members. Nonmembers may subscribe for $15.00 per year. Periodical postage paid at office of publication, Newport, KY 41071, and at additional offices. Printed in U.S.A. Front Cover: Members of a U.S. Military Joint Service Color Change of Address: When notifying a change Guard post the colors saluting America’s veterans during a of address, send former as well as new address, including zip code, to: DAV Magazine, DAV Na- ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Photo by tional Headquaters, P.O. Box 145550, Cincinna- SRA Joseph R. Lozada, USAF. ti, OH 45250-5550. Email address: feedback@ DAV Meets davmail.org. Postmaster: Send address changes Extensive Standards of to: DAV Magazine, DAV National Headquarters, America’s Most Experienced Charity Evaluator P.O. Box 145550, Cincinnati, OH 45250-5550. Contact Us: www.dav.org • Toll Free 877.426.2838 • 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076 DAV MAGAZINE f r o m t h e NATIONAL ADJUTANT More Than Money at Stake Arthur H. Wilson ne of the most striking recommendations from the a poor substitute for the consequences of the injuries OVeterans’ Disability Benefits Commission calls for and disabilities faced by veterans, but it is essential an increase of up to 25 percent in compensation to take to ease the burdens they experience. Compensa- into account the quality of life and other non-work re- tion must help service-connected disabled veterans lated effects of disabilities on veterans. Of course, that achieve parity in earnings with others, but it must would require new legislation, and it could take years also address the impact of disability on quality of for the VA to develop the quality of life criteria and life. incorporate them into the disability rating schedule. The 13-member commission, which included That is just one of 113 recommendations for improv- experts in VA benefits and highly decorated combat ing compensation and rehabilitation programs for veterans, said the VA should periodically update disabled veterans. The Veterans’ Disability Benefits the disability rating schedule, beginning with more Commission took nearly three years to complete its appropriate evaluation and rating of post-traumatic study that included site visits and town hall meetings stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. across the country. The commission also asked outside It also urged lawmakers to permit all disabled research agencies to examine a broad array of govern- military retirees to receive both their full military ment benefit programs and services to assess their ef- pensions and VA disability benefits. This was one of fectiveness in meeting the needs of disabled veterans. the most discussed issues of the commission. This was the first comprehensive review of veterans’ Among other important recommendations, the VA disability benefits since the 1956 President’s Commis- needs to pay more attention to illnesses like post- sion on Veterans’ Pensions, commonly known as the traumatic stress disorder. The VA also must follow up Bradley Commission after its chairman General Omar with re-examinations of veterans who might suffer N. Bradley. from PTSD, a practice the commission says should The Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission found be mandatory. that while much has changed in 51 years, there is It also noted the need to focus more on screen- one enduring fact: Disabled veterans require a range ing and treatment of traumatic brain injury. Greater of services and benefits, including compensation, recognition of these types of injuries is important, as health care, specially adapted housing and vehicles, some injuries are not readily recognizable without insurance and other services tailored to their special sustained care and monitoring.