WHAT IS COMRADESHIP?

From David W. Gorman, Executive Director, DAV Washington Headquarters -

I would like to share the following open letter from National Commander Bradley S. Barton to Veterans Health Administration employees assuring them of our support and appreciation for all that they do to honor America's commitment to veterans. Please take the opportunity to personally express your deep appreciation to VA medical center staff and employees in your communities and assure them of our support in these uncertain times.

Dear Veterans Health Administration Employee:

The news media recently uncovered a serious situation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. I am sure you have been affected by stories of neglect, abuse and the consequent overflowing frustrations of our wounded American military heros that brought their plight so much national focus. Like many, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), with 1.3 million service-disabled veteran members, was appalled and demanded that the Department of Defense immediately correct these deplorable conditions at its premier medical treatment facility. A nation at war cannot tolerate bureaucratic delays, substandard housing and less than compassionate treatment of its soldiers and marines who have sacrificed so much while serving their country.

While media reports of the Walter Reed scandal have cast a shadow on military and veterans' medicine, I want to reassure you that DAV is very proud of you and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System. Problems arise from time to time in any system that provides for the needs of large populations, but, at its root, VA health care is a constant and shining emblem of how to reform a system for excellence. Over the past two or three years we have seen mounting evidence that VA is a source of dependable, safe and efficient health care for veterans. The system provides a wonderful resource for sick and disabled veterans, which in so many ways are unique to our experience. You offer veterans the best quality at the least cost, and the lowest error rates of any health care system to which you might be compared. Your medication safety program, electronic health record and prevention programs are the envy of American medicine. VA serves the nation's veterans well while supporting and developing new generations of health care professionals and advancing the standard of care through its renowned biomedical research and development programs.

We, the members of DAV, want you to know that we consider VA to be a national treasure. While we may have experienced a momentary controversy brought about because one military medical treatment facility let down our disabled service members, we hold the Veterans Health Administration - and the work each of you do every day for sick and disabled veterans - in the highest regard. On behalf of DAV, I salute you.

Sincerely,
Bradley S. Barton, National Commander

VA Searching for Last Doughboys of World War I: Only Four Believed Still Alive

VA Press Release

WASHINGTON (April 4, 2007) -- With the number of known living American veterans of World War I now standing at four, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking public assistance in determining whether others are still alive. "These veterans have earned the gratitude and respect of the nation," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "We are coming to the end of a generation that helped bring the United States to the center of the international arena. "Nicholson noted that VA usually knows about the identity and location of veterans only after they come to the Department for benefits. None of the four known surviving World War I veterans has been on the VA benefits rolls. The Secretary asks members of the general public who know of a surviving World War I veteran to contact VA. To qualify as a World War I veteran, someone must have been on active duty between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918.

VA is also looking for surviving Americans who served in the armed forces of allied nations. Information about survivors can be e-mailed to ww1@va.gov; faxed to 202-273-6702, or mailed to the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs (80), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420.

About 4.7 million men and women served in the U.S. armed forces during World War I. About 53,000 died in combat, with another 204,000 wounded. The four known surviving World War I veterans are John Babcock, 102, from Puget Sound, Washington; Frank Buckles, 106, Charles Town, West Virginia; Russell Coffey, 108, North Baltimore, Ohio; and Harry Landis, 107, Sun City Center, Florida. Babcock is an American who served in the Canadian Army. The other three survivors were in the U.S. Army.

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