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FROM THE DESK OF

COMMANDER WILL DAVIS

Congress eyes cuts; veterans’ must remain sacred.

With only weeks remaining for Congress and the administration to deal with the inevitable task of coming to terms with our budgeted debt, there is increasing pressure on all parties involved to make cuts, find savings, and “make hard choices.” However; if there is one choice we must avoid, it is jeopardizing the care and benefits of our veterans.

For more information on current legislation go on line and review the issues. Stand up for veterans has posted current issues that affect health care.

I want to congratulate the National Church Residence for their initiative effort in developing a new fifty-unit, permanent supportive housing, one bedroom, apartments for veterans, with low income, in the Columbus area. This apartment building is located at 3349 East Livingston Ave. The telephone number is 614-235-4426. Further, I want to thank Douglas Lay and his staff at the Franklin County Veterans Commission for the donations the Agency made to the Commons at Livingston. The Columbus Clinic has assigned staff to the housing units. This is a step in the right direction, since an estimated 136,334 veterans spent at least one night in a homeless shelter or transition housing program during 2009.

I want to thank Sherry, our office manager for thirty-five years of dedicated service to our veteran community. Sherry started with the DAV in 1976. So, the next time you call the office or stop in, let her know how important she is to us.

Please remember Martha Tepker in your thoughts. Martha will be going into the hospital for back surgery this week. Also don’t forget keep Donald Scheerer in your thoughts.

“One Team One Goal”

Will Davis, 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 (513) 475-6443

William Warren

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Kevin M. Reilly 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

DATES TO REMEMBER

Aug. 4-5-6, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Speedway Store, London, Ohio.

Aug. 5-6, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Various locations, Greenville, Ohio.

Aug. 6, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, E. Liverpool Chapter #47, E. Liverpool, Ohio.

Aug. 6, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Galion, Ohio.

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

Aug. 11-12-13, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Huntington Bank, Speedway, Walmart, London, Ohio.

Aug. 12-13, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Various locations, Greenville, Ohio.

August 13, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Crestline, Ohio.

August 14, 2011 DAV Day at the Indians Game, 1 p.m., Cleveland, Ohio.

August 14, 2011 The Ohio Veterans Memorial Park Concert at the Park, 15 bands 12 hours of music, Car show will start at 12pm, Clinton, Ohio.

Aug. 17-18, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Huntington Bank, West Jefferson, Ohio.

Aug. 17-18, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Mt. Sterling IGA Store, Ben & Joy’s.

August 26, 2011 DAV Day at the Cincinnati Reds Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio.

August 27, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Auglaize County Chapter #73, St. Marys, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Post Office, Community Market, Wapakoneta, Ohio.

September 9-10, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Willie Marcum Chapter #72, Buehler’s Grocery Store, Medina, Ohio.

September 24, 2011 5^th District Meeting, 1 p.m., American Legion Post #41 on State Route 61, Norwalk, Ohio.

Oct. 6-7, 2011 Mobile Service Office, Doubletree Hotel, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Columbus, 8

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Oct. 7-9, 2011 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

October 8, 2011 Mobile Service Office, Powder Keg Harley-Davidson, 2382 Kings Center Ct., Mason, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

October 10, 2011 Mobile Service Office, Jackson County Chapter #45, 170 Pearl St., Jackson, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 11, 2011 Mobile Service Office, Conrath-Bean Chapter #37, 355 E. State St., Athens, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 12, 2011 Mobile Service Office, American Legion Post #11, Lancaster Chapter #40, 279 Canal St., Lancaster, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 13, 2011 Mobile Service Office, Cambridge Chapter #28, 2090 North Ave., Cambridge, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 14, 2011 Mobile Service Office, Clint Kramer Chapter #12, 428 Moxahala Ave., Zanesville, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 15, 2011 Mobile Service Ofice, C&A Harley Davidson, 7610 Commerce Place, Plain City, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

November 14, 2011 Golden Corral Military Appreciation Dinner, Various restaurants, Ohio.

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

June 21-24, 2012 91^st Department Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson, Worthington, Ohio.

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

Oct. 12-14, 2012 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

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

June 20-23, 2013 92^nd Department Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

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

Oct. 4-6, 2013 Fall Conference, Double Tree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams

Thought for August: Although no one can go back and erase mistakes to make a “Brand New Start”, anyone can start from now and make a Brand New Ending!

DAV & Supporters Organize Facebook “Virtual March”: The DAV set up a Virtual March on Facebook to protect Veteran’s compensation and benefits from being targeted for cuts in the ongoing debt crisis negotiations. Senator Harry Reid & President Obama warned that social security & veteran benefit checks could halt if there is no deal to raise the debt ceiling, while Republicans have called such comments scare tactics.

Our National Commander Wally Tyson said “It is outrageous that disabled veterans become political pawns in the fight over how to increase the

government’s borrowing authority”. “What we’ve heard is that if the debt limit isn’t raised, the government may not have enough money to pay its

obligations, including veteran benefits checks,” said Garry Augustine, the DAV’s National Service Director. “Whether it’s accurate or not we’re not sure, but it makes people nervous when they hear it.”

During this “Virtual March” family members & supporters are encouraged to record and post personal videos discussing benefits & links for emails to legislators. They will also be given the opportunity to post on the official Facebook page of the White House and members of Congress.

Canton Native Staff Sgt Kevin Kessler, killed in Afghanistan in 2010, will be memorialized on a plaque at Fort Lee, Virginia.

As a follow-up to my note last month on “PTSD Coach” Smartphone apps launched by the VA in April: Although many service members first wanted to “trash” the devices, many veterans struggling with PTSD are now finding them very helpful in managing their symptons “on the go”.

OEF/OIF Vets face increased risk of homelessness: More than 10,000 Iraqi and Afghanistan Vets are homeless or in programs aimed at keeping them off the streets, a number that has doubled three times since 2006, according to figures released by the VA. This serious increase comes at a time when the total number of homeless vets has declined from 400,000 in 2004 to only 135,000 today. “We’re seeing more and more OEF & OIF veterans, says Richard Thomas, a Volunteers of America case manager at a shelter in Los Angeles. “It’s just a bad time for them to return and get out of the military”. The VA blames the rise on a poor economy and the nature of the current wars, with limited numbers of troops serving multiple deployments.

There is help on the way, as the VA and other entities are working with vets with families who are homeless, or at risk of losing their homes. Currently, more than 2,400 non-profit organizations across the country now have homeless veteran programs.

Get Involved: To help ensure successful enactment of veteran legislation that we support, DAV and Auxiliary members must become active in DAV’s grassroots efforts– DAV Commander’s Action Network (CAN) – and all of us must do our part to let our elected officials know of our concerns regarding legislation that builds better lives for our nation’s service-disabled veterans, their families and their survivors. Please make a pledge to redouble your efforts to communicate our concerns to your elected officials. This is a key to our success.

Navy Corpsman in Afghanistan, although shot in head, ignores heavy enemy fire, tends to and evacuates wounded Marines. Now, after a year of surgery and rehab he is awarded the Silver Star. And, even though he is deaf in his left ear and the left side of his face is paralyzed, he plans to return to duty with his Marines later this year.

How many DAV Members have you signed up this month? How about Last month?? Remember: After you have recruited a new DAV member, sign up all eligible members in their family also. Our Auxiliary needs new members too.

As always, keep our troops in Afghanistan in your thoughts and prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America free. Never shall we forget that Freedom is not Free!! May God bless all of you. God bless our troops, God bless the DAV, and may God Bless America, home of the Free, because of the Brave!

ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS FOR 2011-2012

Commander Will Davis made additional appointments for the 2011-2012 year with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Membership Committee appointments are Chairman Michael Stith, Summit County Chapter #35; Jack Burlingame, Bob Swanson Chapter #39; Phillip Alexander, Hamilton-Fairfield Chapter #15 and William Pappas, John N. Nemeth Memorial Chapter #108.

Herman Morton, Cincinnati Chapter #1, Joseph Johnston, Clermont County Chapter #63 and David May, Alliance Chapter #50 were appointed to the Audit Committee for the 2011-2012 year.

The Constitution Committee appointments were as follows: Michael Stith, Summit County Chapter #35; Kenneth Reed, Madison County Chapter #93; Russel Tubbs, John N. Nemeth Memorial Chapter #108; Reynolds Robertson, Clermont County Chapter #63 and Robert Bertschy, John W. Covert Chapter #47.

FROM THE AUXILIARY

The Department of Ohio DAV Auxiliary wants to wish the new 2011-2012 DAV Commander and his officers a very successful and productive year. We look forward to working with you.

DAVA State Commander of Ohio and Officers

Thank You !

At our annual Department Convention we held a Parade of Checks. On behalf of Department we would like to recognize chapters and individuals who donated to Department’s Hospital Fund (HF), our Cleveland/Cincinnati Service Offices (NSO) and, chapters who held a Forget-Me-Not Drive (FMN). Cincinnati #1, $100 (HF); Daniel Smiley, $100 cash (HF); Capital City #3, $3500 (HF); Hamilton-Fairfield #15, $100 (HF), and $543.37, (FMN); Louis Paul Proy #20, $1500 (HF); Massillon #38, $6,000 (HF); Ashtabula #39, $50 (NSO); Lancaster #40, $150 (HF); Alliance #50, $113 (FMN), $250 (NSO), $1,250 (HF), and $1,500 (DAV National Service Foundation); Van Wert #54, $50 (HF); Willie Marcum #72, $183.73 (FMN); Fayette County #89, $100 (HF); and, Brooklyn-Parma #116, $280.47 (FMN.

SUPPORTERS of National 3^rd Jr. Vice Commander Joe Johnston (PDC Ohio). Dayton #9, $500;’ Summit County #35, $300; Massillon #38, $1,000; Alliance #50, $100; Willie Marcum #72, $172; Michael Stith, $100 cash; and, $100 cash donation, (unknown).

DAV Team Ohio “Service to Veterans” Chapter Commanders, please thank each member in your chapter for your support and generous donations during the Parade of Checks. Your donations will assist Department of Ohio with the resources needed to serve Ohio veterans. Many, many thanks for your usual good work and for all you have done for our veterans. I look forward to our Fall conference Parade of Checks. If your chapter can not attend our Fall Conference, may I suggest, you ask your District Commander to present your chapter donations? Please include a letter listing your donations with your checks. In the meantime, should you have any questions please contact our State Adjutant, Frank Williams (614) 221-3582.

PDC David May

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS