07/25/2026
A reminder to all of us about why the DAV exists and what kind of chapter we must continue striving to be.
Every veteran who comes through our doors deserves to be welcomed with dignity, patience, and respect. It should not matter what branch they served in, their rank, age, race, religion, gender, beliefs, disability, membership status, whether they deployed, whether they saw combat, or whether the wounds they carry can be seen by others.
No veteran should ever feel that they must prove their service was difficult enough, dangerous enough, or important enough to earn a place among us.
For many veterans, walking into a chapter meeting or asking for help is not an easy step. They may be carrying trauma, anxiety, mistrust, isolation, or years of feeling misunderstood. Some are searching for assistance. Others are simply trying to find a home, a new mission, a sense of purpose, or a connection with people who may understand what the civilian world often cannot.
Most of us remember what it felt like to leave the uniform behind and try to figure out where we belonged next. We should never forget how vulnerable, uncertain, and alone that transition can feel.
We are not here to judge one another’s service, compare hardships, create divisions, or drive people away with hostility or unnecessary roughness. We are here to help disabled veterans and their families, advocate for one another, restore a sense of belonging, and make sure no veteran feels forgotten.
A veteran who enters our chapter may already be using every bit of courage they have just to walk through the door. Let us make sure that what they find on the other side is compassion, fellowship, and an open seat at the table.
That is our responsibility. That is our mission. That is the DAV we should represent.
God Bless our Country and our Veterans! 🇺🇸
