FROM THE DESK OF COMMANDER

DAVID MAY

VOLUNTEER! DAV VOLUNTEERS are turning Hope into Reality. April is known as Volunteer Month. After reviewing Michael Walsh, DAV National Director of Voluntary Services, Annual Report I wanted to say, THANK YOU, to our DAV Team Ohio Volunteers. DAV Volunteers provide a wide variety of services at VA Medical Centers, VA CBOCs, and DAV Transportation Network drivers. VAMCs picnics, lunch bingo parties for hospitalized veterans, and special events like the Cleveland Air Show are other activities provided for veterans. A BIG Thank You to our DAV Department of Ohio’s Hospital Chairman, Ray Hutchinson, and his VA Medical Centers’ VAVS Representatives and Deputy Representatives who do an outstanding job. Ray coordinates DAV services through a VAMC wish list, as well as scheduling hospital visits. Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP) is DAV’s newest program, was created in October 2007. This volunteer program is for chapter and auxiliary members who live too far from a VA facility. LVAP is for DAV volunteers to provide needed services in their local communities. LVAP volunteers give hope directly to veterans, widows or families by doing yard work, home repairs, grocery shopping, sitting and talking with a disabled veteran while the caregiver runs errands for the day. LVAP volunteers also are active in your chapter’s DAV Forget-Me-Not Drive, chapter bingo programs, and chapter service officer work.

No one can put a dollar amount on volunteer hours and the compassion shown to our veterans who no longer can do the things that they could do when they were able. Our_VOLUNTEERS are building better lives for our disabled veterans and their families. This is our DAV MISSION!

It is very important to the DAV that volunteers document their volunteer hours. Michael Walsh reported, “DAV is the only veterans’ service organization which has a national volunteer recognition program to provide incentive awards for volunteers who provide service in activities, in the name of DAV.” LVAP Volunteers will receive the same incentive awards that are enjoyed by volunteers in the VA Volunteer Services (VAVS) programs at VA facilities.

Thank you goes out to our DAV Transportation Network volunteer drivers who provide a resource for disabled veterans needing transportation to and from primary care appointments and specialized clinics at VA Medical Centers. We must not forget our DAV Hospital Service Coordinators (HSCs) who help recruit new volunteer drivers and generating reports on drivers’ mileage as well as hours credited with DAV National so they’ll be recognized for their service.

I have not worked with too many youth volunteers. Recently, DAV National recognized their top youth volunteers who are active participants in the VAVS and LVAP programs throughout our nation. Michael Walsh reported, “DAV is deeply appreciative of Ford Motor Company for helping DAV in recognizing the thousands of hours these outstanding students have donated to care for and comfort disabled veterans.” Thank you Ford Motor Company! 2010 Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program’s 1st place winner was Stephanie Wu from the San Francisco VAMC. She received a $15,000 scholarship.

A Thank you can be that smile of approval from the veteran who you are helping. As a volunteer I wish you many, many smiles. You are making a difference in building better lives for our disabled veterans and their families.

There are many opportunities to become a compassionate DAV Volunteer. If you’re already a registered DAV volunteer then I challenge you to reach out and recruit one new volunteer who will make a difference helping our disabled veterans. Ask a new member in your chapter, or make it a family mission by asking your spouse, children or even your grandchildren.

In closing, I have been touched by several special volunteers who I have met over the years. I would like to mention a few of them.

Russell Atenna is a volunteer ski instructor at the DAV/VA National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. Russell, who is from Denver, taught me how to enjoy downhill skiing as well as the Miracles on the Mountainside experience. Walt Carlin, from East Moline, IL, is my golf buddy, who helps improve my golf game at the VA National Disabled Veterans’ TEE Golf Tournament. Walt had a tough job which it is still a work in progress. Walt comes through with his great sense of humor. Two Ohio DAV volunteer drivers, who transport Northeastern Ohio blind veterans to Iowa City VAMC for the TEE Golf Tournament are Bobby Gross (Summit County Chapter 35) and Bob Bertschy (John W. Covert Chapter 47). They’ve been driving for many years as well as being an active volunteer at the TEE Tournament. Bobby and Bob make Ohio (Cleveland VAMC) look good!

VOLUNTEERS, I THANK YOU

FOR YOUR SERVICE!

All of you make DAV Volunteer Programs Successful.

In comradeship,

David May, Commander

National Disabled Veterans WSC

Applications Are Now Available

25th Annual Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) will be March 26 – April 2, 2011 in Snowmass, CO. WSC is hosted by the Grand Junction VA Medical Center. This annual event promotes rehabilitation by instructing physically challenged male and female veterans in adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing and snowboarding. The WSC will also provide an introduction to other adaptive activities and sports.

Participation is open to military service veterans with qualifying disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputation, visual impairments, certain neurological problems and other disabilities. Veterans who currently have inpatient or outpatient status at a VA medical facility will have first priority.

Cost Participants are responsible for their room charges, incidentals and transportation costs to the WSC. Ski instruction, ski equipment, lift tickets, meals and all other related clinic activities and functions will be free of charge.

Snowmass Village near Aspen, is nestled in the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Snowmass Village is a friendly, cozy mountain town. It is located eight miles from the international cosmopolitan town of Aspen. The base elevation is 8,104 feet and the summit elevation is 12,510 feet. FYI, please visit the Snowmass Village website at www.snowmassvillage.com.

Note: Registration deadline is November 30, 2010. Only applications received by mail will be accepted. All applications and forms must be mailed to:

Teresa Parks

National Disabled Veterans WSC

VAMC (WSC)

2121 North Ave

Grand Junction, CO 81501

Questions: Contact Teresa, 970.263.5040

Email: Teresa.Parks@va.gov

To receive a WSC application call Teresa or

You may want to contact your local VAMC Voluntary Services. (Source: WSC application)

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

DATES TO REMEMBER

September 3-5, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, Northern Hills Chapter #115, Kroger, 4500 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio.

September 9-10, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, Barnesville Chapter #121, Barnesville Riesbeck’s Store, Barnesville, Ohio.

September 10-11, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Willie Marcum Chapter #72, Medina Buehler’s Grocery, Medina, Ohio.

Sept. 6-17-18-19, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, Adams County Chapter #71, Peebles, Ohio.

September 18, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Grove Harley-Davidson, 1501 E. Ash St., Piqua, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

September 19, 2010 6^th District Meeting, Summit County Chapter #35, lunch at 2 p.m., meeting to begin at 3 p.m., VSC, 1060 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, Ohio.

September 20, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Conrath-Bean Chapter #37, 335 E. State St., Athens, Ohio 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 21, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Lancaster Chapter #40, American Legion, 279 Canal Street, Lancaster, Ohio 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 22, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Fayette County Chapter #89, 133 W. Main St., Washington C.H., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 23, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Vandalia Chapter #140, 4100 W. 3^rd St., Bldg. 305, Dayton, Ohio 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sept. 23-24-25, 2010 Forget-Me-Not, Cincinnati Chapter #1, Sam’s Club, 4825 Marburg Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio

September 24, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Clermont County Chapter 363, 4600 Beechwood Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

September 25, 2010 Mobile Service Office, South-East Harley Davidson, 23105 Aurora Rd., Bedford Heights, Ohio 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

September 28, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Lakewood Chapter #108, VFW 387, 3580 W. 140^th St., Cleveland 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 29, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Trumbull County Chapter #11, 2044 Youngstown Road, SE, Warren, Ohio 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 30, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, Ohio 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 1, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Walter J. Klekota Chapter #49, VFW 1079, 500 S. Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ohio 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October 2, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Century Harley-Davidson, 3053 Eastpoint Drive, Medina, Ohio 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

October 2, 2010 Forget-Me-Not Drive, John W. Covert Chapter #47, East Liverpool, Ohio.

October 3, 2010 8^th District Meeting, Pioneer City Chapter #52, meal at 1 p.m. and meeting to begin at 2 p.m., Marietta, Ohio.

October 4, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Ashland County Chapter #81, American Legion #88, 1338 Claremont Ave., Ashland, Ohio 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 5, 2010 Mobile Service Office, Mansfield Chapter #21, CBOC, 1456 Park Ave West., Mansfield, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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

October 16, 2010 1^st District Meeting, St. Timothy’s Episocal Church, 8101 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.

October 24, 2010 10^th District Meeting, 4616 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio, Lunch at 1 p.m., meeting to begin at 2 p.m.

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.

November 15, 2010 Golden Corral Military Appreciation Monday

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

June 16-19, 2011 90^th Annual Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio

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

Oct. 7-9, 2011 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, 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 September: “A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after awhile he learns something.”

Breaking News:

Details of the new Veteran’s Bonus Program, covering the Gulf War; Afghanistan and Iraq War, has just been announced by Governor Ted Strickland. Eligible Veterans are encouraged to begin the process by completing the bonus application online at: www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov Most of the questions as to eligibility and information necessary to document your application is included in the short application process. Applications are also available at any of Ohio’s 88 County Veterans Service Offices, or call 1-877-6838 to have an application mailed to you.

Remember: Your bonus application process cannot be fully completed online, since your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public, or “acknowledged” by the clerk (or deputy clerk) of the common pleas court in your county, before you mail the application, along with required supporting documents to:

Ohio Veterans Bonus

PO Box 373

Sandusky, OH 44871

You can get detailed eligibility requirements at: www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov ,where you can click on “Eligibility Requirements”. And, free notary service will be available at your County Clerk of Courts Office as well as at Assistant Attorneys General offices. For info on Asst AG offices visit: www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/VeteransBonus

Ohio Senate Bill 182: Several States have passed legislation to exempt 100% Disabled Veterans from paying property tax, recognizing contributions such veterans made to keep this Country free. The majority of these Veterans live on pensions provided by the VA, since they are unable to work. While Ohio does provide a $25,000 reduction of property values on primary residences for persons totally disabled, many Veterans are forced to move to States that totally exempt them from property taxes.

State Senator Tim Schaffer(District 31) realized the need and introducedSB182 to exempt from taxation a primary residence owned by a service connected, totally and permanently disabled veteran of the armed forces of the United States, including reserves or national guard, who was honorably discharged. Please contact your members of the Ohio Senate and Congress and encourage them to remember our Disabled Veterans by supporting this important legislation.

REMINDER: All Chapters must properly complete and send in your Annual

Financial Report to Department Headquarters no later than Sept 30, 2010. And, if your total income – excluding per capita distribution – is $10,000 or more, you must send a copy of your Financial Report to National.

ALSO: The Annual IRS Form 990-N (Electronic E-Postcard) must be filed online no later than Nov 15, 2010 for all Chapters with annual gross income of $25,000 or less. Visit: www.irs.gov/eo for details.

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!!

FIRST DISTRICT

The 1^st District Meeting will be held on October 16, 2010 at 1 p.m. at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. The guest speaker will be Department of Ohio Commander David May.

First District sick and shut in list.

PDC Herman Morton and wife Marion

PDC Andrew Offutt

PDC Auxiliary Dorothy Clark

Sally Keller

Sam Kimmerly - 71

Tim Tepker – 15

Ralph Center – 103

Pray for them all. Please call District Commander Phillip Alexander and inform me of any sick and shut in.

Death’s - pray for the family’s of Nancy Offutt and Maple Cunningham.

I would like to thank all National and State Department Head’s past and present, for your confidence help and support by honoring me as First District Commander another year. Your trust and help in me is truly a honor.

Thank you again.

s/Phillip A. Alexander

First District Commander

FROM SR. VICE COMMANDER WILL DAVIS

It’s been a fast moving year so far! The Commanders and Adjutants training in Cold Spring, Kentucky was very informational. The interaction with DAV members from other states was special. I hoped to learn about how to improve my Chapter and to compare what other states are doing. I want to congratulate our State of Ohio! We are doing a lot of good things right. And a special thanks to our Adjutant Frank Williams for the timeless hours he puts in. And to Sherry for her ongoing tasks that keep the Department running like a fine oiled machine.

The National Convention was better than I expected! Our own Joe Johnston was elected as our 3^rd Jr. Vice Commander. Congrats to Joe Johnston, our 3^rd Jr. Vice Commander.

The President addressed the convention and promised that all the issues would be handled in a timely manner. He basically was very positive concerning our DAV. The high point of the convention was the donation that Harley Davidson presented. One million dollars!! And Art Wilson being called a “cupcake”. That’s when a male rides on the back of a woman’s Harley….lol

And not forgetting the continuing efforts of the Ford Motor Company. What a super job they do for the DAV.

I’m looking forward to our Fall Conference. We want to see some of the smaller Chapters attend in October. Some of the smaller Chapters may qualify for financial assistance. Please call us and find out.

CHAPTER OFFICER REPORTS

Several Chapters have NOT submitted their officer report for the 2010-2011 membership year. National and Department Headquarters rely on these officer reports to keep records current. Department Headquarters would like to complete the 2010-2011 Directory so the officers and chapters can have access to all the chapter information.

The following chapters have NOT submitted the officer reports as required: 7, 13, 26, 28, 66, 67, 75, 88, 98 and 142.

If your Chapter needs a report form, please feel free to contact Department Headquarters at 614-221-3582.

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams