THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF DAV AND AUXILIARY JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 LIVING PROOF Vietnam War veteran marks 50th ‘Alive Day’ anniversary Page 26 DAV.ORG FACEBOOK.COM/DAV @DAVHQ DAVHQ AVAILABLE FOR MOBILE DEVICES 2019 Mid-Winter Conference Leading advocates to gather in Washington, DC ver the past few years, we have been opportunity to meet face-to-face with your privileged to see some hard-fought legislative lawmakers to make it clear what DAV is fighting battles through to the finish line: advance for: lasting reforms to the veterans health care Oappropriations, appeals modernization, expansion system and caregiver program expansion through of caregiver benefits and health care reform. These implementation of the VA MISSION Act; a robust victories do not happen overnight, and they do budget to achieve those reforms and other not happen without the strong voice of dedicated necessary improvements to the system; equitable advocates willing to stand up for what is right. heath care and benefits for women veterans; DAV has fought and won many battles on behalf improved benefits for families and survivors of of injured and ill veterans in our nearly 100-year disabled veterans; and legislation to make it easier history. These victories are, in large part, thanks to for veterans made ill from burn pits to get their our network of grassroots advocates who make it earned benefits. their mission to be leaders for change. It is truly one of the noblest causes to help ensure We invite you to lend your voice to the cause the nation’s bravest have access to the benefits and join us at DAV’s annual mid-winter conference they earned and deserve for their dutiful military at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. service. Come join your fellow DAV leaders as we You’ll stand alongside National Commander work to ensure policymakers in Washington hear the Dennis Nixon as he presents DAV’s legislative voices of America’s ill and injured veterans and their agenda to Congress. You will also have the families. Together, we can achieve victory! n Feb. 24–27, 2019 For more information, visit www.dav.org/events/2019-mid-winter-conference COMMENTARY From the NATIONAL COMMANDER DENNIS R. NIXON Ushering 2018 successes into the new year appy New Year! I truly hope 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment your holidays were full of joy and increase for veterans disability happiness alongside your loved compensation, just to name a few. Hones—and that you are prepared to It truly was a record year, and I start the year with energy and a want to personally thank our Benefits renewed focus. We often get so busy Protection Team leaders and all of with the tasks ahead we forget to reflect you who contributed to our many on our accomplishments and thank successes. I was so pleased to see those who helped make them happen. the number of bills enacted this year As a direct result of your advocacy that were directly born out of DAV efforts, last year brought us several resolutions submitted and approved by important legislative victories. We saw DAV members. It is a testament to our the passage of more than 16 bills aimed determination and doggedness when it at improving health care services and comes to making sure that our nation benefits for ill and injured veterans, keeps the promises that have been including the landmark VA MISSION made to those who served. Act (Public Law 115-182). DAV’s key I am very proud and humbled to legislative priorities—focusing on reform lead an organization with such incredible and modernization of the Department of members who continue to serve in so Veterans Affairs health care and benefits many ways. With a unified voice, we systems, expansion of comprehensive protect and improve the benefits we caregiver benefits and improved services have earned and help ensure elected for our nation’s women veterans—took officials truly understand the sacrifices front row center as we saw many years made by those who have served— of hard work come to fruition. and the subsequent lifelong needs Congress also passed, and the of disabled veterans, their families president signed, a number of other bills, and caregivers. including legislation to improve disability I hope you will all join me on Capitol Hill benefits delivery; expand eligibility for in February at our mid-winter conference the VA’s Specially Adaptive Housing as I present DAV’s legislative priorities program; allow totally disabled veterans before the House and Senate Veterans’ access to commissary and exchange Affairs Committees. I look forward to the privileges and space-available travel on year ahead and continuing to serve you Department of Defense aircraft; assess as we pursue more victories for veterans. long-term care options for veterans The road won’t be easy, but together we with war-related injuries; and provide a will get it done. Let’s get to work. DAV.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ 1 CONTENTS A new year is time for new 1 energy in DAV’s advocacy efforts, FEATURES according to National Commander 8 Dennis Nixon. National Adjutant Marc Burgess DAV staff and volunteers 3 proposes a new way to share come to the aid of veterans valuable information with fellow in communities struck by veterans and their families. Hurricane Florence. DAV charts the course ahead with 12 new legislative goals and priorities. From tragedy to charity, how one 10 14 DAV member used the DAV 5K as an opportunity to give back to Justice for Sgt. Woodard: A veterans and the organization that helped him when his life changed community rallies to honor the forever. civil rights legacy sparked by the violent beating of a returning Dr. Paul Lawrence, Army veteran World War II veteran. and VA Undersecretary for 16 (Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University Benefits, talks Veterans Benefits of California, Berkeley) Administration priorities and challenges. 26 DAV hosts at-risk and needy 19 veterans through stand down 50th Anniversary Alive Day at national headquarters. Story: Army veteran recalls the Home Depot “Volunteers for day his life was changed forever, 23 Veterans” by helping restore a becoming a triple amputee in DAV chapter building for Vietnam. members in Alabama. Second chances: A veteran and 24 his brother find reconciliation through Veterans Treatment Court. Dennis R. Nixon National Commander J. Marc Burgess National Adjutant/Publisher DAV MAGAZINE • January/February 2019 Contact us: dav.org • Toll Free 877-426-2838 • 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076 • [email protected]. Volume 61, Issue 1, DAV Magazine (ISSN 0885-6400). Editorial Office: DAV Magazine, P.O. Box Daniel J. Clare National Communications Director 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 Page is dav.org. Available on recording for the blind and those with Mary Dever Assistant National Communications Director physical handicaps that preclude reading printed material. The magazine is mailed free to DAV and Auxiliary members who are paid subscribers. Bryan Lett Assistant National Communications Director Nonmembers may subscribe for $15 per year. Periodical postage paid at office of publication, Newport, KY 41071, and at additional offices. Printed Austin Shaffner Assistant National Communications Director in U.S.A. Change of Address: When notifying a change of address, send Janice M. Hagar Associate National Communications Director former as well as new address, including ZIP code, to: DAV Magazine, DAV National Headquarters, P.O. Box 145550, Cincinnati, OH 45250- Doreen Briones Production Manager 5550. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DAV Magazine, DAV National Headquarters, P.O. Box 145550, Cincinnati, OH 45250-5550. Shannan Archer Senior Graphic Designer COMMENTARY From the NATIONAL ADJUTANT J. MARC BURGESS Get rid of this magazine es, you read that headline Perhaps you know a veteran at church correctly. I want you to get rid or the gym. Maybe you have a military of this magazine. family living down the street. It could be YBy all means, please read through that your dentist served in the military the articles first, as I’m sure you’ll find and would be willing to let you place a the content to be of interest. But once magazine in the waiting room for other you’ve had your fill, please don’t toss it patients to peruse. in the trash; send it to the recycling bin; It’s easy to black out your personal or even place it atop the stack of old mailing information and pass that newspapers, circulars and bills we all magazine along so another veteran have sitting on our countertop. can read and benefit from it. You Put this magazine to work and let it may even want to staple a chapter or do some good in your community by department business card to it so a passing it along to veteran seeking help another veteran. Put this knows exactly We’ve all found how to reach you. ourselves sitting in magazine to If you’d like to attain the doctor’s waiting work and let it additional copies of a room, at an airport do some good in current or back issue terminal or in a seemingly to distribute throughout endless line at the DMV. your community your community, contact Don’t we all feel inclined by passing it [email protected]. to pick up a magazine along to another You can also link and pass the time with people to the digital an interesting article? veteran.