THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS AND DAV AUXILIARY JULY/AUGUST 2OO5 WWW. dav.org Highlights from the 2005 Clinic i Right, Michael McEnaney, a Navy veteran of Vietnam, skis with the help of an instructor. Above, National Junior Vice Commander Rob Reynolds serves as a volunteer ski instructor at the event, tethering participants and teaching them to ski on their own. Above, from left, Paul Wolfowitz, then Deputy Secretary of Defense, discusses veterans' issues with DAV National Commander James E. Sursely and David W. Gorman, Executive Director, Washington Headquarters. Below, Bo Derek, actress and honorary chair of the event, poses with World War Il veteran Joseph Hineman. At 82, Hineman was the oldest participant. ArmySgt. Tyler Hall lost his lower leg and suffered brain trauma after serving in Iraq. Still, his disabilities couldn't keep him from skiing. It's About the Future James E. Sursely, National Commander me, it is the future that's far more important than the veterans are a national priority. past. I never have been a person to look back. I con- It is incumbent on us, the members of the DAV, to inform sider my past year as your National Commander as a step the American public and continue our legacy into the future. toward the future for our organization. In that service, I Membership in the DAV Commander's Action Network is a have learned the future has more to offer - great challenges, big first step to ensure that our benefits and health care stunning successes, and more opportunities for service. remain intact and whole. After all, these are the benefits The DAV this year will mark its 85th anniversary - a provided by a nation of grateful citizens for our service and truly noteworthy milestone. There has been a long list of sacrifice. Lawmakers should not be allowed to revise, great National Commanders who have served before me, reform, and reinvent the system that has for decades served forming a continuous line of service for our disabled veter- disabled veterans and their families. Congress should ans and their families. Many more will come. As I look to restore, reaffirm, and rely on the system that has cared for my supportive and contributing National Officers, I can see and comforted generations of disabled veterans. the near future of the DAV, and it is impressive. They are Our DAV is blessed to have intelligent and insightful truly remarkable individuals who care about our organiza- leadership at every level to meet the challenges that we have tion and are steadfastly loyal to faced this past year and in the future. our mission of service. National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson has been a close I have met thousands of our friend and supportive advisor. He is the epitome of leader- members across this nation, and ship with a treasure of knowledge resulting from his out- spoken about the needs of dis- standing career of service to veterans. We are greatly abled veterans to school chil- blessed to have the finest leader of any veteran services dren, concerned citizens, and organization in Art. His confidence, support, and strength members of the Administration helped me through this year. His contributions cannot be and Congress. I have seen understated. Art is one of our nation's great leaders, and a pride in the faces of those who fine man who is dedicated to our mission of building better hear the story of the DAV and 1 lives for disabled veterans and their families. have seen concern when I dis- Supporting Art, and me, are your outstanding Executive cuss the issues facing today's Directors, Rick Patterson in Cold Spring, Ky., and Dave disabled veterans. Gorman in Washington, D.C. They provide valuable guid- I am confident that our citi- ance and foresight that enabled to me to serve the needs of zens will strongly oppose any serious legislative threats to the DAV more successfully. the well-being of disabled veterans. The people of America I want to especially thank our outstanding corps of pro- are with us - they have our backs. But they need the knowl- fessional National Service Officers who each day ensure edge. It falls to us to ensure that the American people know that our mission is fulfilled in its most meaningful way. of the plans proposed by the Administration and our elected They are outstanding young men and women who are leaders in Washington to cut veterans health care, benefits, devoting their lives to care for veterans. My appreciation and services. goes to the Transition Service Officers who are working Our outstanding professional National Legislative staff is with our newest generation of veterans to ensure they the best of the best, and they provide us with both support receive the care and support they need. and timely information to protect our interests in Congress. They provide us with the tools we need to help ensure that Building Better Lives for America's Disabled Veterans MAGAZINE • JULY/AUGUST 2005 National Commander James E. Sursely looks to the future as his term in office James E. Sursely 1 winds down and the organization is poised to meet the challenges ahead. National Commander National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson chides Congress for refusing to provide criti- Arthur H. Wilson 3 cally needed funding for veterans health care while adding millions in special National Adjutant & Publisher interest, pork barrel spending. Gary Weaver National Director Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year John Devine is a truly inspiring exam- of Communications 5 ple of one whose zest for life simply won't let his disabilities get in the way of living and giving. David E. Aulry Deputy National Director National Officer elections for the 2005-2006 membership year will take place of Communications 7 during the National Convention in Las Vegas. This biographical information will Arve! -Jim" Halt help acquaint you with announced candidates. Assistant National Director of Communications The winners of this year's George H, Seal Memorial Trophy for outstanding vol- 10 unteerism are Troy Bowling of Lexington, Ky., and Ruth Bier of Austin, Texas. Thomas L. Wilborn Assistant National Director Following a disturbing trend in recent years, Congress used more of our tax dol- of Communications 12 lars to pay for political pork than for veterans health care this year. Rob Lewis Past National Commander Oliver Meadows, who was buried in Arlington Marketing & Special Events Manager 16 National Cemetery June 15, is remembered as one who served his country and his fellow disabled veterans well with honor and distinction. Daniel J. Clare Senior Communications Specialist Dozens of men and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan join their fellow vet- 18 erans from previous eras at the 2005 National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports James A. Chancy Clinic. Production Manager An aspiring writer-producer-historian has captured top honors in the Jesse Brown Volume 47, Issue 4, DAV Magazine 20 Memorial Youth Scholarship program which recognizes the many outstanding (ISSN 0885-6400). Editorial Office: DAV youngsters who volunteer their time and talents to help brighten the lives of sick Magazine. P.O. Box 14301. Cincinnali. OH 45250-0301. Telephone (859) 441- and disabled veterans. 7300 or loll free (877) 1 AM A VET. Published and circulated bi-monthly bul- Ethel Bussey of Augusta, Ga., has been selected as the Outstanding Auxiliary letin by the Disabled American Veterans, a Congressionally-chartered, non-profit 25 Member of the Year. organization, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati. OH 45250-0301. DAV Home Page is This year marks the 75th anniversary of the federal agency responsible for http://www.dav.org. Available on record- ing for the blind and those with physical 32 administering health care, disability compensation, and other benefits for handicaps that preclude reading printed America's veterans and their families. material. 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. Change of Address: When notifying a change of address, send former as well as new address, including zip code number, to: DAV Magazine. DAV National Wise Giving Headquarters. P.O. Box 145550. Cincinnati, Alliance OH 45250-5550. E-mail address: feed- Standards [email protected]. Postmaster: Send address changes to: DAV Magazine, DAV give.org National Headquarters, P.O. Box 145550. Cincinnati, OH 45250-5550. Contact Us: www.dav.org • Toll Free 877.4262838 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076 DAV MAGAZINE 'Emergency' Pork Arthur H. Wilson, National Adjutant ^!•he $82 billion emergency supplemental spending bill across the country are in dire straits. Among them is the VA I that Congress approved in May offered lawmakers an Eastern Colorado Health Care System which faces a $7.25 opportunity to cover a critical shortfall in veterans medical million deficit this year. The West Palm Beach VA medical care. But they rejected funding this urgent need and instead center has a deficit of $6 million. The Minneapolis VA med- loaded up the must-pass measure with special-interest provi- ical center reports a S7 million shortfall. It is one of the VA's sions and millions of dollars in pork-barrel spending. four sites for treating veterans with complex, multiple Less than halfway through the current fiscal year, VA med- injuries but can't hire any more staff for that specialized ical facilities across me country center because of the deficit. report they are running out of Then, having rejected the Murray-Akaka amendment, money and face huge deficits, Senators proceeded to approve the measure that provided a an emergency situation if there number of pork-barrel earmarks.