We have been embarrassed and humiliated more times than we care to divulge by chapters that fail/refuse to provide aid and comfort to the widow and children of deceased life-long, dedicated members and officers of our organization.

Perhaps the best way to expose the circumstances and effect of what is a afoot is to let you read the angry letter of one such family member, just received.

It was hand-written and sent to National Headquarters in response to an address label fund-raiser, and involved a heretofore very active New York Chapter.

"My father,_________, was Past Chapter Commander of New York Chapter No.____, for many years. Both he and my mother dedicated their lives to the DAV and what it stood for. My father passed away on January 25 of this year. My mother called the DAV to ask for a representative to attend his funeral. She was told that they couldn't spare anyone and that no one would be attending. She called the Commander and was told that he would report it. If the DAV can't even send a representative to the funeral of a Past Chapter Commander it's a very sad statement.

So, sorrowfully I must decline any donation I may have sent. Please remove my name from your mailing list as I have lost all respect for your organization.

Sincerely....

This kind of occurrence doesn't happen very often, but, unfortunately, is not an isolated case. It has always been our belief that our members and officers respond to all disabled veterans and their dependents with understanding and compassion. Too bad it didn't happen here.

As a result of this one chapter's inertia, not only was the memory of one of its finest members and Past Chapter Commander repressed and his widow insulted, but also the DAV has lost the support of an entire family that under normal circumstances would be among our most loyal benefactors.