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FROM THE DESK OF COMMANDER DAVID FARRELL

Dear Comrades,

Our return from Mid Winter Conference in Washington, DC and our meeting with our Congressman and Senator proved very productive. There is good news to report. Senator Brown and his staff were both very gracious and courteous. Senator Brown is on board with our concerns. He was supportive of the legislation we have introduced as well. He remains a very strong veteran’s advocate, while serving on the joint veterans committee.

I can’t stress enough the importance, of continuing to be diligent, in communicating our concerns and legislative issues, through our computers or hand written letters. We need to stay in constant touch with our Congressman and Senator to ensure they remain working for us.

National Commander Bobby Barrera’s speech was very inspirational, and to the point. He was very passionate and direct. Leaving no doubt in our Nation’s Capital, just where, the Disabled American Veterans stood. His message was very clear and precise.

I hope to see you at a few of the upcoming events. The State Commander’s Testimonial Dinner. It will be April 17, 2010 in Coshocton. I heard it is going to be interesting. They are planning to roast someone or something. Maybe both, you will have to come to find out. Also Auxiliary State Commander Jennette Scott’s Testimonial Dinner. It will be May 1, 2010 at Meadowbrook Country Club in Clayton. I also heard it is going to be exciting as well. So if you need a little excitement and fun you know where to be. Also the Department’s Convention is June 24-27, 2010. Once again we have a pretty good convention planned for everyone so I hope you plan to attend.

May, God Bless you always. God Bless Our Troops, serving in the World’s Greatest Military. God Bless the DAV. Most of all may God Bless the United States of America.

David K Farrell

State Commander

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC,

Charles Russell (513) 475-6443

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Gene McCorkle Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

Larry Queen Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Henry Snodgrass

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

Warren Clinic (330) 392-0311

Youngstown Clinic (330) 70-9200

Ext. 105

Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000

DATES TO REMEMBER

April 10, 2010 9^th District Meeting, Meigs Chapter #53, Cheshire, Ohio. Lunch at noon and meeting at 1 p.m.

April 11, 2010 8^th District Meeting, Clint Kramer Chapter #12, lunch at 1 p.m., meeting to follow, Zanesville, Ohio

April 11, 2010 2^nd District Meeting, Alliance Chapter #50 at 2 p.m., Alliance, Ohio.

April 17, 2010 Commander David Farrell’s Testimonial Dinner, Coshocton Village Inn & Suites, 115 N. Water St., Coshocton, Ohio.

April 18, 2010 5^th District Meeting, Huron County Chapter #62 at 1 p.m., Norwalk, Ohio.

April 24, 2010 1^st District Meeting, Lunch at 12 noon, meeting to begin at 1 p.m., St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 8101 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio

April 25, 2010 6^th District Meeting, Trumbull County Chapter #11, Lunch at 2 p.m., Meeting to begin at 3 p.m., Warren, Ohio.

April 25, 2010 10^th District Meeting, at 1 p.m., 4616 W. Broad., Columbus, Ohio.

April 30 – May 1, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, H.B. “Doc” Riley Chapter #51, Ironton and Coal Grove, Ohio.

April 30 – May 1, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Union County Chapter #55, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Community Market, McCuff’s Ace Hardware, Marysville, Ohio.

May 1, 2010 Auxiliary State Commander Jeanette Scott, Testimonial Dinner, at 7 p.m., Meadowbrook Country Club, 6001 Salem Ave., Clayton, Ohio.

May 21-22, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Youngstown Chapter #2, Walmart, Austintown, Ohio.

May 28, 2010 DAV Day at the Ballpark, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati

May 29, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drie, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, Various Locations, Hillsboro

June 24-27, 2010 DAV Department Convention,

The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

June 25-26, 2010 Mobile Service Van,

Dept of Ohio, DAV Convention, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

July 31 – Aug. 3, 2010 DAV National Convention, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

August 28, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Auglaize County Chapter #73, Wal-Mart Parking Lot, Wapakoneta, Ohio.

October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.

October 30, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Lloyd C. Ludwick Chapter #123, Various locations, Hillsboro, Ohio.

October 30-31, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, Putnam County Chapter #77, Ottawa, Ohio.

Feb. 28-March 3, 2011 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

Aug. 6-9, 2011 National Convention, Hilton New Orleans Riverfront, New Orleans, LA

Feb. 26-29, 2012 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

Aug. 4-7, 2012 National Convention, Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Feb. 24-27, 2013 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

Aug. 10-13, 2013 National Convention, Hilton Orlando, Orlando, FL

FROM THE DESK OF STATE ADJUTANT FRANK WILLIAMS

Thought for April: “Anger or resentment towards a person or persons that you feel has done wrong, is often more hurtful to you than the one you are angry at.”

AGENT ORANGE ‘FAST TRACK’ FACT SHEET:

The VA announced March 9, 2010 an aggressive new initiative to “Fast Track” Veterans’ claims process for service connected presumptive illness due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. Secretary Shinseki has added three new diseases: Ischemic heart disease; Parkinson’s disease & B-cell leukemias to the list of diseases subject to the presumption of service connection as a result of exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans who served in Vietnam, or who can document exposure elsewhere.

To meet the challenge of expected increase in claims for disability due to the 3 new presumptive illnesses, the VA is exploring a “fast track” option to automate processing of claims by Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have one of the illnesses covered by the “presumption of service connection”.

Vietnam Veterans are encouraged to submit their claims ASAP to begin the important process of compensation.

CAREER MILITARY (LIFERS) INFO ON HEALTH CARE IN MILITARY HOSPITALS:

The Military Health System(MHS) is a global medical network with Department of Defense that provides health care to all US Military worldwide. Equipped with 59 Hospitals, 364 Health Clinics and a $50 billion budget, MHS provides high quality health care to 9.6 million service members, retired veterans and family members. Although short of providers due to the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, MHS launched a new: www.Health.mil website that provides a single point of access to military health news, information and resources. The site content is categorized by topic or audience, including active duty; retirees and families; health care providers; educators and researchers; Health Care Staff; DOD leaders; and the media. Links to Tricare and Tricare For Life as well as an easy to navigate layout provides easy multiple paths to the information including a topic index on each page.

In a continuing effort to make it easier for Veterans and their families here in Ohio to access the information they need to secure benefits and programs available, here is a brief list of federal, state and county Resources available:

· Health Care & Prescriptions – 1-877-222-8387

· Disability Benefits – 1-800-827-1000 (Or contact DAV, Dept of Ohio at 1-614-221-3582)

· Dependents & Survivor Benefits – 1-800-827-1000

· Home Loans – 1-877-827-3702

Ohio Veterans have access to health care at 44 facilities around the state. To find the Medical Center or Outpatient Clinic near you, call the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) at 1-877-644-6838 or visit www.dvs.ohio.gov

Don’t forget to sign up new DAV members! Take advantage of the reduced down payment of only $20 as this program will expire on June 30, 2010. While you’re at it, make sure you also

As always, keep our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in your thoughts and prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America, the land of the free, because of the brave. Never shall we forget that Freedom is not Free!!

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS