Local Disabled American Veterans chapter 47 already enjoys a great track record for its active involvement on behalf of veterans’ issues. That assessment was validated by District Commander 1 Raney White, of Bellingham, who paid a visit during the group’s Jan. 5 meeting at Oak Harbor Library.
“I’m in the process of visiting local chapters, and it’s impressive what you are doing here,” said White. He also said it was a great asset that the chapter has office space on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Seaplane Base, something other chapters do not have.
White updated members on changes to the Seattle VA hospital emergency room department as well as opportunities to support sporting events for disabled veterans. He also requested chapter members consider providing honor guard volunteers to District One for services and ceremonies at Tahoma National Cemetery.
“Veterans’ family members are so appreciative of having their loved ones honored in this way,” said White. “If your chapter members were to help out on some of these occasions, it would be deeply appreciated by many.”
Another visitor, Oak Harbor resident and Navy veteran Gary Jackson, shared his hopes and plans to one day see a one-stop veterans center on the island. Jackson expressed his thanks for what DAV is already doing, and noted that many veterans are due to return shortly from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“If we can somehow speed up the process to address their needs, whether it’s medical, job opportunities or counseling, we reduce the chances of them possibly falling into despair or resorting to desperate measures,” said Jackson.
DAV already helps further these goals in significant ways, as monthly statistics show. For example, December, despite being a holiday month, still saw 87 veterans make use of the DAV van for VA hospital appointments in Seattle, said chapter commander John Callahan.
In other business, chapter adjutant Michelle McClain gave out legislative updates for veterans on a variety of fronts.
“These updates cover a lot of ground,” said McClain. “They include everything from a planned increase in the clothing allowance for disabled veterans to special tax credits for hiring veterans,” she said.
Closer to home, the Holland Happening parade is just around the corner, said McClain.
“We have a little time to decide if we would like to march in the parade or make a presence in some other way,” she said.
The local organization starts planning months ahead for its biggest yearly fundraiser, the forget-me-not fund drive on Veterans Day. In the meantime, chapter treasurer Missy Vaughn’s 11th -hour application for a 2011 philanthropic grant paid off: Walmart recently sent the chapter a letter promising a $200 check in a couple of weeks, said Vaughn.
The DAV’s next meeting will be held Feb. 2 at Oak Harbor Library.
