July-August 2006 Newsletter, Disabled American Veterans, Department of New York

Disabled American Veterans Department of New York, 200 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook, New York 11563

NEWSLETTER
A Publication for Members of the Disabled American Veterans Dept. of NY
July-August 2006

85th ANNUAL DEPARTMENT CONVENTION

by Keith A. Robinson, Department Commander

I want to thank all of the people who worked so hard to make our 85th Annual Department Convention an unqualified success. Even though we were at a new facility, the Hudson Valley Resort, in Kerhonkson, New York, the teamwork and cooperation by all participants was evident.

Registration was accomplished fairly quickly with almost all chapters and officers present and registered opening day on Sunday. Having all the registration materials in ahead of time greatly increases the efficiency of the registration process and makes it easier to do. Besides, we all have better things to do than stand in line.

The Order of Business of the Convention starting Monday morning, proceeded quickly and in an orderly fashion. Without being expresses, the Orders of the Day were held to be "be brief and to the point."

The general activities open to all included the Health Fair, VA Prosthetics Information, Membership and VAVS/HSC seminars. All were well attended.

The National Service Officer's Certification Workshop conducted for Chapter Service Officers was very well attended. In fact, many of the delegates attended the two afternoon sessions. All considered, I believe our Department members are meeting the DAV mission of building better lives for America's Disabled Veterans. You are all to be congratulated.

On Tuesday night, the Cocktail Reception had many hors d'oeuvres both on the tables and individually served by wait staff. Indeed, very impressive. Next, at our Department Banquet, we had an inspirational address by our National Senior Vice Commander Brad Barton. At the Wednesday business session, we had our nomination and election of Department Officers and the installation of all officers and State Executive Committeemen.

On a personal level, I would like to thank all the members and chapters who supported me in my campaign for Department Commander. It was truly a humbling to experience the love and concern you all expresses tome through your assistance and service. Our Chapter Hospitality Room ran for three nights with the theme "I love NY." A number of you, both DAV and DAV Auxiliary helped in the setup, running and cleanup each night. It make the work all that much easier and I do believe everyone had a good time doing it. Judging by the din during the evening, all that came were excited and enthused.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage you all, those that attended and those who did not, to attend the upcoming SEC meeting in March and our next Department Convention next June. Always remember that this is your Department and your DAV. The DAV is strong and at it's best when you all participate as much as possible. I look forward to seeing many of you during my year as your 87th Department Commander as I tour our state.

Remember our State motto "EXCELSIOR" (ever upward).

Photograph from the June 28, 2006, DAV New York State Department Convention held at the Hudson Valley Resort, Kerhonkson, New York
Pictured from top row left to right: Theodore Barbuto, Sr. Vice Commander; Robert J. Finnerty, Jr. Vice Commander; John J. Skyler, PDC, NEC; Sidney Siller Sr., PDC, Department Adjutant; and Prosper Sodano, Department Executive Director.
Pictured from bottom row left to right: Keith A. Robinson, Department Commander and Bradley S. Barton, National Sr. Vice Commander (now the National Commander).

WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING?

by Keith A. Robinson, Department Commander

At our Department Convention in June, I had attempted to present an outline of some of the various issues and concerns our members deal with, or for that matter, any disabled veteran has to deal with. Our DAV motto is "building better lives for America's disabled veteran." But, how are we to do it?

The first concern of many disabled veterans is usually getting a job. This drive to get back into the real world (after military service or an injury/illness) is many times the overriding focus of many veterans to the exclusion of all else. While this is an important step in being able to support themselves and any family members, this issue of working is usually pursued to the exclusion of other factors which in the long run are more important. We can assist by helping our comrades to refocus on these other issues which also could benefit them more while they are trying to obtain employment.

The second concern of disabled veterans is: How can I provide for myself/family? The concern here usually is tied up in ability to obtain a job or have an adequate source of income to live. This is where the DAV can help. Not only can we work with disabled veterans and their families, we can help in a real way by providing active assistance and information. Our Department is now also planning to extend services to our older members in the form of assisted living facilities. We can all be proud of our plans for the future.

The third concern of disabled veterans is usually: What VA benefits can I obtain to advance my goals and/or support myself/family? We have a premier network of exceptional National Service Officers in New York State who assist veterans and their dependents in obtaining and maximizing VA benefits. We all can help at the Chapter level by being in touch with the veterans in our communities to inform them of the possible benefits available to them. Many of you already do this service through your Chapter and volunteer work at VA facilities. However, we can all be better informed by taking the Chapter Service Officer training given each year at our Department Convention. Judging by the participation at this past year's Department Convention, we are all well on our way to having the best information available. I encourage all of you to not only attend our Department Convention, but to take the course next year.

The fourth concern of disabled veterans: How can I obtain healthcare? Assisting disabled veterans in navigating the complex and sometimes contradictory regulations the VA has is an important job. Unfortunately, healthcare is low on many veteran's priority list. We need to encourage all disabled veterans to have any medical issues diagnosed and treated. This is vital to not only their health and well being, but to their families as well. If disabled veterans attend to their own healthcare needs, they will be in better shape to confront and overcome the other issues they need to face in life. All of this is just common sense, but many times it is overlooked when we have what we think are more pressing issues. Also, since we have a network of transportation established, the DAV can get all veterans to the VA medical facilities for their treatments, both young and not so young.

As DAV members, we should all be concerned about membership. Through membership, we gain strength in not only numbers, but a more widespread network to assist disabled veterans and their families. New members can also help run the chapter. Remember the old adage: Many hands make light work.

An added benefit of membership is clout with our federal representatives and the federal government. Numbers do count, but personal involvement is better. Nothing will change if we do not press for it and make it happen. But, everything will change (usually for the worse) if we do nothing or just watch what is going on. We need to work to correct any problems as they occur. Keep up the good work.

MEMORANDUM
From: Keith A. Robinson, Department Commander
To: All Chapters That Have Failed to File Reports for the Year 2006-2007

Your Chapter's Officer Report was due in Department Headquarters immediately following your Chapter's election of officers. If you have not sent yours in, please do it ASAP.

The Department is trying to get the 2006-2007 Department Directory finished and sent out to you in a timely manner. Please check and see if your Chapter's Report was sent in.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

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