The Support of Family

2023-02-21T11:03:17-05:00

When DAV’s founders gathered for the first time more than a century ago, they did so because they were looking to each other for the support they needed to navigate the challenging postwar environment of veterans services and health care.

Especially during the early 1900s, the injuries and illnesses veterans incurred because of their time in service were looked at by civilians as weaknesses to be pushed through or as liabilities to producing satisfactory results at work. By forming a group of like-minded individuals, veterans could work together to advocate for legislation and programs to change those often-misguided perceptions. They could fight for the medical care they deserved.

But, as important as that bond was and continues to be, I want to shift focus away from veterans for a moment. I want to look at the people standing by their side. Because as necessary as DAV is as a community of support, service and advocacy, there is another group that has been around even longer: veterans’ families.

To those deployed, the support and encouragement from families back home was, in many cases, as important as ammo. For those of us who’ve served in war, that love was the source of motivation and drive to keep pushing forward.

We can never forget that. The work done on the battlefields of yesterday and that we do as veterans helping one another today is only possible with the support of our families.

Our Auxiliary is filled with these dedicated loved ones. Their work is rarely in the limelight, but they passionately carry out service and advocacy work for their veterans. Many of them serve as full-time caregivers. All of them understand the sacrifice of service.

A few months ago, I had a conversation with a spouse that’s stuck with me and speaks to this level of dedication.

She had driven her husband nearly a thousand miles to attend the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic in Riverside, Iowa, which DAV co-presents annually with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her husband’s disability, which severely limits his mobility, had taken a toll on him mentally. His family watched him slip deeper into a dark place.

But thanks to his spouse’s willingness to travel, he was able to get out on the course with fellow veterans. The event revealed a smile and joy she hadn’t seen in him in a long time. She got choked up when she told me there was no limit to the distance she’d drive for him to get that feeling again.

Although his time in service is behind him, he’s still fighting battles. Recognizing that, she’s committed herself to continue to be the support and encouragement that he needs.

And, as it is for so many other veterans, that support is the very thing that’s giving him the drive to keep moving forward.

Response by PO1 H Gene Lawrence made Feb 21 at 2023 11:13 AM

2023-02-21T11:13:09-05:00

A great organization.

Response by CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD made Feb 21 at 2023 11:18 AM

2023-02-21T11:18:06-05:00

I have found the local DAVs to be uncaring and unresponsive. Iam not impressed with the organization. Just my personal experience.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 21 at 2023 11:24 AM

2023-02-21T11:24:07-05:00

I think the national organization as a whole is good and does great working for and with veterans both in lobbying for benefits ans assisting with VA. HOWEVER, I have found on the local levels in two places I have lived that they are filled up with chain smoking, booze drinking loud mouthed veterans that have nothing for any generation past Vietnam. If you go you are there to be seen and not heard cause you haven't experienced "real war". Well I hate to tell them that the desert wars, Afghanistan, IRAQ, Horn of Africa, Syria et al were just as bad or worse than the atrocities in Vietnam. In Vietnam you knew your enemy...if the most recent wars you had no clue who they were. Every war has their issues and nobody comes home the same as when they went over. So adapt and change with the new generations or shutter your doors. I will just leave it right there.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2023 11:30 AM

2023-02-21T11:30:14-05:00

Thanks for the Info.

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Feb 22 at 2023 9:35 AM

2023-02-22T09:35:17-05:00

Thank you so much for shoring this, today.

Response by PO3 Eugene Hildebrand made Feb 23 at 2023 4:57 PM

2023-02-23T16:57:29-05:00

while this is a very good story and the original idea of the DAV is a good one my experience with them was caca. I was at one point a life member but rescinded my membership due to the uncaring attitude and that it seamed all they wanted was to say they have x amount of members. I sent them my card and told them to take me from their rolls. I accomplished more utilizing my county veterans advocate than the DAV in all the years I was with them.
Just saying.

Response by Maj Joan Marine made Mar 4 at 2023 6:27 PM

2023-03-04T18:27:39-05:00

Great post!

Response by LCpl Robert Hethcoat made Apr 17 at 2023 5:17 AM

2023-04-17T05:17:10-04:00

Go to chapter 16 orlando florida I have been with them for 15 years they are great on every level. And never know any members to drink