A prayer, a pledge and a roll call opened the meeting of Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 47, last week in Oak Harbor.
Members gathered to swear in new leadership, discuss events related to the club and the upcoming state conference in June.
“It was pretty much a regular meeting,” said David Michel, past post-commander and chapter service officer.
There were 13 members present at the May 5 meeting. The officers sworn in for one-year terms were: Charles Muggs Monahan, senior vice commander; Floyd Hawkins, junior vice commander; Dottie Michel, junior vice commander; Melissa Vaughn, treasurer; John Callahan, commander; Steve DeAvilla, post commander; and Michelle McClain, adjutant.
Officers were sworn in prior to June’s Department of Washington State Convention, which will be held in Yakima. Disabled American Veterans from all over the state will congregate to discuss issues affecting veterans and veteran’s rights.
Regular business included an update by the chaplain, and there was also an explanation of death benefits. In addition, two new members, Mark Takaoka and Jennifer Marzocca, were sworn in.
Michel said he’s seen a lot of changes since he was first elected post commander.
“When I took over 12 years ago we didn’t have much money and we weren’t very successful,” Michel said. “Now we have increased the number of service officers to 12 and the number of volunteer drivers for our van to approximately 15.
Service officers help veterans fill out claims for service disabilities or injuries they received during their time of service and help write loan applications for education and tuition.
Service officers also help following the death of a veteran. If a spouse files for Dependent Indemnity Compensation, that can give the surviving spouse money to help make a mortgage payment or to pay other bills.
In other business, members discussed the traveling Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall and whether members could afford to have it visit Oak Harbor. The cost would be $20,000. Some 58,000 Americans were killed and 300,000 were injured during the Vietnam war, adding to the ranks of disabled veterans .
“Also coming is the Mobile Service Van which is set up by national service,” said Michel. “When we had it in the Safeway Parking lot we had 85 people show up. 75 percent didn’t know there was a Disabled American Veterans in Oak Harbor.”
There are many other services the DAV can offer to veterans, including information and organizations they can contact to help veterans collect benefits for injuries, education, tuition or for help with what to do in the event a partner’s death.
To commemorate the tenth anniversary of September 11, a “Never Forget” challenge coin shown. The coins will be sold for $10 each, with all proceeds going to the local chapter. The coins will be available at the DAV office on the Seaplane Base.
The Disabled American Veterans’ services are free to all veterans and their families, supported by dues and contributions from the public.
It receives no government funds.
Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 47, meets the first Thursday of every month, except June and November. Call 257-4801 for information.
