uarageman a HCTXI JISABLED KV AUXILIARY T NOVEjyiBERL/DECl -•- * v • Delegates Made it Happen in Las Vegas... Join Us in Chicago in 2006 \T i A Time for Sharing Paul W. Jackson, National Commander n this holiday season, we give thanks for our many which is even more important during the holidays. But Iblessings, and it is a time of sharing with family and helping these veterans is a year-round calling. So, I friends. Some of us will travel great distances to be urge you to encourage others in your community to with those we love as we celebrate the holidays. But become a regular volunteer, as well. not everyone will be with loved ones this holiday sea- Many of our members also are reaching out to mili- son. Our hearts go out to the many thousands of our tary families in the community, especially those with a fellow citizens displaced by the hurricanes which dev- loved one overseas, This year, the holiday season will astated the Gulf Coast region and to the men and be a difficult time for them, and your warmth will be a women serving in our military, especially those in dan- welcome gift. gerous and far away places. Earlier this year, the DAV signed a memorandum of And while many Americans are asking how they can understanding with the National Guard Bureau Family help the hurricane victims and Programs Office that opens the door to new opportuni- show their support for service ties for us to assist military families. members, I feel personally for- As part of this new partnership, our Departments and tunate to be a part of an organi- Chapters will play an active role in providing commu- zation so rich in the tradition of nity support for our citizen-soldiers and their families serving others. Every one of through volunteer activities at their local National you can take pride in your work Guard Family Assistance Centers. And I can't think of with the DAV and the Auxiliary. a better time than this holiday season to show our men Our commitment to service and women protecting our freedom that we love them really came to the fore in the and are thankful of all they do. aftermath of the recent hurri- So, yes, there are many ways we can put DAV canes. With the tremendous Service and Advocacy in Action. cooperation of Chapters and It is through the efforts of the devoted, caring, and Departments and individual talented members of our wonderful organization that members, our National Service Officers were able to we fulfill our mission of service and hope. provide disaster relief to more than 2,000 disabled vet- The new year promises many new challenges and erans and their families. And that number is expected opportunities for us all, and I look forward to exploring to climb as time goes on. them with you. I hope you will share my resolution for As I witness the many ways our members help build the coming year to make our organization an inviting, better lives for disabled veterans and their families, I hospitable environment that welcomes all and ener- am reminded of what Leo Tolstoy believed so deeply: gizes us to fulfill our mission. "The vocation of every man and woman is to serve You have my best wishes for a safe and joyous holi- other people." day season. And please make the most of this opportu- Of course, many of us volunteer at VA hospitals nity to relax and enjoy the holidays and to share our helping brighten the lives of sick and disabled veterans, many blessings with family and friends. Building Better Lives for America A Disabled Veterans MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 National Commander Paul W. Jackson notes that this holiday season Paul W. Jackson 1 presents us with many opportunities to open our hearts to those in National Commander need, Arthur H. Wilson National Adjutant & Publisher National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson sees hopeful signs of a renewed Gary Weaver 3 bipartisan cooperation on veterans issues in Congress. National Director of Communications Outstanding cooperation from our Departments and Chapters enabled David E. Autry 5 our National Service Officers to provide much-needed disaster relief Deputy NaFiona! Director to disabled veterans and their families affected by the hurricanes that of Comnn i n ica lion s devastated the Gulf Coast region. .Arvel "Jim" Hall Assistant National Director Despite overwhelming bipartisan cooperation to address a critical of Commu n tea tiunx 8 shortfall in veterans health care, prospects for adequately funding Thomas L. Wilbom the VA have begun to dim as Congress faces pressure to cut spend- Assistant National Director ing. of Cam inun ica tionx Among the highlights of the 84th National Convention was the Rob Lewis Marketing & Special Events Manager 10 unanimous election of National Commander Paul W. Jackson and Auxiliary National Commander Judy M. Steinhouse, who head an Daniel J. Clare outstanding slate of new national officers. Senior Communications Specialist Iraq War veteran Brandon Burns, recovering from his injuries with James A. Chancy Product ion Manager 18 strong family support, is a third-generation DAV member. Volume 47, Issue 6, DAV Magazine Auxiliary National Commander Judy M. Steinhouse looks forward (ISSN 0885-M(H)). Editorial Office: DAV 27 to a stronger, brighter future for service to disabled veterans and Maga/ine, P.O. Box 14301. Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Telephone (859) 44!- their families. 7M) or toll free (877) I AM A VET. Published and circulated" bi-monthly bul- letin by the Disabled American Veterans, a Transportation Network volunteer drivers have delivered 119 new Congressional ly-chartered. non-profit 40 vans donated by the DAV to VA medical centers in 36 states. organization. P.O. Box 1430I.Cincinnati. OH 45250-0301, DAV Home Page is http:/Av w w, dav.org. Available on record- ing for the blind and those with physical handicaps that preclude reading printed material. The magazine is mailed free to homes of DAV and Auxiliary members. Nonmembers may subscribe for $15.00 per year. Periodical postage paid al office of publication, Newport. KY 41071, and at additional offices. Printed in U.S.A. Change of Address: When notifying a Cover: Homecoming Marine by Norman Rockwell change of address, send former as well as 1945 SEPS; Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, new address, including zip code number, to: DAV Magazine, DAV National FN. All rights reserved, www.curtispublishing.com Hcadtiuaners. PO. Box 145550. Cincinnati. OH 45250-5550. E-mail address: feed- back (a'davmail.org. Postmaster'. Send address changes to: DAV Maga/inc. DAV give.org National Headquarters. P.O. Box 145550, Cincinnati. OH 45250-5550. Contact Us: vnvw.dav.org • Toll Free 877.426.2838 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076 DAV MAGAZINE Bipartisan Spirit Arthur H. Wilson, National Adjutant ^Wiere are signs that a bipartisan spirit is returning Time and again, we saw Senators reach across party I to Congress when it comes to veterans affairs. We lines to introduce, co-sponsor, and speak out in support saw it when there was near unanimous support among of additional funds for veterans health care. They acted lawmakers for providing additional funds to cover a not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans. critical shortfall in veterans health care. For example, the cooperative efforts of Senate As noted in the September/October DAVMagazine, Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Larry Craig the VA revealed that veterans health care faced a and committee Democrats Daniel Akaka and Patty budget shortage totaling nearly $3 billion for 2005 and Murray helped set the wheels in motion to address the 2006. And to their credit, Republicans and Democrats funding shortfall. in Congress have acted in a Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican chair of the bipartisan — indeed, non-par- Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military tisan — fashion to address the Construction and Veterans Affairs, and the panel's ranking issue. Democrat Diannc Feinstein then joined forces in an effort Nowhere has that spirit of to add nearly $2 billion in emergency funds to the House- cooperation been more in evi- passed 2006 VA spending measure. dence than in the Senate's han- That was only possible because Republican Thad dling of the matter, although a Cochran, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, and unanimous House did pass a Democrat Robert C. Byrd, worked in a bipartisan fashion $975 million VA supplemental to ensure an increase in the subcommittee's allocation. appropriation for 2005 which And while that bipartisan spirit is welcome, it is the Administration requested. uncertain whether the higher amount called for by the As it turned out, the 2005 Senate will remain in the final version of the VA shortfall was worse than origi- spending bill that is sent to the President for signature. nally thought, and the VA said it would need nearly $2 Maintaining quality health care and other benefits billion more than had been requested for veterans and services for our nation's veterans should never be health care in fiscal 2006, as well. a political or partisan matter. Our government must The Senate moved quickly to include a $ 1,5 billion never fall short in honoring its commitment to those supplemental appropriation for 2005 as part of the fis- who have served and sacrificed so much in defense of cal 2006 Interior-Environment spending bill, which our freedoms. won final approval with strong bipartisan support in A true bipartisan spirit is necessary if we are going both chambers. to do the hard work together that is necessary to make To address the $2 billion projected shortfall, die Senate veterans a national priority.