2020 May/June Magazine
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THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF DAV AND AUXILIARY MAY | JUNE 2020 This is your brain on drugs drug-assisted A common street psychotherapydrug may be key in the fight against PTSD. Page 18 DAV.ORG DAV @DAVHQ DAVHQ COMPANY/DAVHQ DISABLEDVETERANS Help mark 100 years Aug. 1–4, 2020 Hilton Anatole, Dallas his year, we’ll kick off our centennial celebration at Meanwhile, culture buffs can divvy up their time Tthe 2020 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention in between Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum and the Dallas—where you’ll find big hats and big hair, as well Dallas Museum of Art. And if you’ve brought the kids as a hotbed of history, art and sports. There will also be along, you can devote some time to both the Fort Worth special events and displays that honor the 100 years of Zoo and the Dallas World Aquarium, or keep cool in service DAV marks this year. the Hilton Anatole’s lazy river and splash pad. The convention is a time for us to recognize our Make your time in the “Big D” even better by taking top volunteers and hear from department and chapter advantage of free transportation options throughout leaders while providing useful training. It’s also an the city. Jump on the M-Line Trolley in Downtown opportunity to advocate for ill and injured veterans, and head out to explore Uptown and the Dallas Arts enjoy the camaraderie of fellow DAV members, and District. Or find your seat on the D-Link, the Dallas take ownership of the organization by choosing our Area Rapid Transit free shuttle service, to begin leadership and setting our yearly legislative agenda— discovering Downtown and Oak Cliff in no time. all while allowing for a hearty dose of fun in this No matter where you’re headed, Dallas makes it easier premier vacation destination. than ever to start exploring all of the amazing places If you’re interested in history, start your visit off the city has to offer. at the Fort Worth Stockyards before touring Dealey The DAV room block is currently sold out at the Plaza and its Sixth Floor Museum in downtown Dallas. Hilton Anatole. Please visit the DAV event page noted below for a list of nearby hotels. Should a room reservation be canceled, that room will become TRAVEL ASSISTANCE available in our room block at the negotiated $149 rate The Transportation Security Administration can until June 28. We recommend periodically checking facilitate the screening of injured or wounded with the Hilton Anatole for available rooms by calling veterans. After making flight reservations, 800-445-8667. Be sure to say you are looking for a veterans or their care coordinators should reservation under the DAV room block. You can also contact a TSA Cares representative by calling check availability online by going to the DAV event toll-free 855-787-2227 weekdays from 8 a.m. to page and clicking “Reserve Online.” n 11 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. A representative will either Learn More Online provide screening information relevant to the As response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues, veteran’s disability or refer the veteran to experts please refer to the DAV National Convention website at TSA for help through the screening process. at www.dav.org/events/2020-national-convention for the most current information on this event. COMMENTARY From the NATIONAL COMMANDER STEPHEN “BUTCH” WHITEHEAD Advocate responsibly this election season s much as the COVID-19 outbreak veterans, their families and survivors. has dominated the headlines, we It is up to all of us to remember these can’t overlook the fact that we bounds in the course of our personal Aare in an election year—and that we political advocacy. I urge you all to go are fortunate to have as a right and a to DAV.org to find out more information civic duty the ability to choose our about the do’s and don’ts of election- nation’s leaders. year advocacy. With the political divide in our country Most important to remember is seemingly growing exponentially each that the values we share in the veteran passing year, it’s important that we community are far more important maintain civil discourse and respect for than the issues on which we personally the individual rights of others during the disagree. That is why I ask you to amplify coming election season. Some people your voice at all levels of government to are single-issue voters while others may ensure veterans’ issues are elevated to vote entirely along political party lines. the level they deserve. From the proper Either way, it’s a deeply personal implementation of the VA MISSION Act process, and I encourage you all to to securing benefits for veterans exposed actively support the candidates of your to toxic burn pits, the American public choice, for whatever reason you choose. needs to be aware of these issues, and However, as a member of DAV, you it’s up to us to make this happen. have the responsibility to ensure your President Lyndon Johnson once said, activities as a private citizen do not give “A man without a vote is a man without the appearance that DAV supports or protection.” More than six decades later, opposes any candidate, such as wearing his words remind us of the importance DAV caps and shirts at political events. of voting and remain a poignant reminder Doing so would violate our congressional that individuals are the drivers of our charter, national Constitution and democracy. I have no doubt our many Bylaws, and the laws and regulations members, advocates and supporters governing DAV’s tax-exempt status. It’s will once again take on the mantle of incredibly important that we do not stray leadership in their local communities from these guidelines. during the coming election season. I understand holding onto deep We must, however, remember to personal political convictions, but as our do it responsibly. next presidential election approaches, I humbly ask you to please keep in mind Learn More Online that DAV is a nonpartisan veterans Prepare for election year advocacy service organization with legislative at www.dav.org/veterans/resources/ goals that focus on wartime disabled election-year-dos-and-donts. DAV.ORG | DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ | COMPANY/DAVHQ | DISABLEDVETERANS 1 CONTENTS Election season is upon us, 1 and National Commander Butch FEATURES Whitehead reminds members 10 to advocate responsibly. National Adjutant Marc Burgess Advocates take action in 3 focuses on pain, healing and the Washington, D.C., at the ways that veterans can open their 2020 Mid-Winter Conference. minds to addressing both. DAV helps a fellow veteran walk 6 a familiar path to healing after shared combat experiences. DAV, Independent Budget 18 8 co-authors check in on the implementation of the VA MISSION Known as a party drug, Act by issuing a new status report. MDMA is now being harnessed to help treat the He was there when the first shots mental effects of trauma. 16 were fired at Pearl Harbor. Now, DAV remembers the life of Navy veteran Will Lehner. Mind, body and spirit: The VA’s 24 22 Whole Health program is charting big numbers helping veterans relieve pain and improve well-being. One DAV member’s story is the stuff of legend—but will it After suffering a traumatic battlefield ultimately warrant the nation’s 26 injury, one man finds his calling highest military honor? honoring the lives of the fallen. COVID-19 may have slowed the 30 nation, but it hasn’t stopped DAV’s mission. Learn more about what the organization has done to Stephen “Butch” Whitehead National Commander continue serving veterans. J. Marc Burgess National Adjutant/Publisher Barry A. Jesinoski National Headquarters Executive Director DAV MAGAZINE • May/June 2020 Contact us: dav.org • Toll Free 877-426-2838 • 3725 Alexandria Pike, Daniel J. Clare Chief Communications and Outreach Officer Cold Spring, KY 41076 • [email protected]. Volume 62, Issue 3, DAV Rob Lewis National Communications Director Magazine (ISSN 0885-6400). Editorial Office: DAV Magazine, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Telephone 859-441-7300 or toll Ashleigh Byrnes Deputy National Communications Director free (877) I AM A VET. Published and circulated bimonthly bulletin by the Disabled American Veterans, a Congressionally chartered, nonprofit M. Todd Hunter Assistant National Communications Director organization, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. DAV Home Mary Dever Assistant National Communications Director Page is dav.org. Available on recording for the blind and those with physical handicaps that preclude reading printed material. The magazine Bryan Lett Assistant National Communications Director is mailed free to DAV and Auxiliary members who are paid subscribers. Nonmembers may subscribe for $15 per year. Periodical postage paid at Austin Shaffner Assistant National Communications Director office of publication, Newport, KY 41071, and at additional offices. Printed Matt Saintsing Associate National Communications Director in U.S.A. Change of Address: When notifying a change of address, send former as well as new address, including ZIP code, to: DAV Magazine, Doreen Briones Production Manager DAV National Headquarters, P.O. Box 145550, Cincinnati, OH 45250- Shannan Archer Senior Graphic Designer 5550. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DAV Magazine, DAV National Headquarters, P.O. Box 145550, Cincinnati, OH 45250-5550. Michelle Bradburn Graphic Production Assistant COMMENTARY From the NATIONAL ADJUTANT J. MARC BURGESS Exploring the options s the nation continues to grapple comprise a very unique set of factors with the spread of the novel that determine what types of treatment coronavirus, we at DAV have we will best respond to.