DOES DEPARTMENT CARE?

by Keith A. Robinson, Department Commander

As we close out the year of my being your Department Commander, we need to stop and reflect on what we have been able to accomplish. Hopefully, you have experienced a productive year in your chapter. I trust, in some small way, these articles I have written to you have helped.

Your Department is here to serve the chapters. We provide an oversight, focus and direction to the efforts of the local chapters to assist them in attaining the goals they have set as we strive to better the lives of disabled veterans and their families. The actions of our Department is based, in part, on the input received from the membership.

It is important that each member of all our chapters try to attend a Department function. You will be amazed at the energy and vitality you will experience.

If you cannot attend yourself, I encourage all chapter members to try to ensure that the officers of the chapter or at least a representative attend Department functions, especially the SEC meeting and Convention.

Each chapter has direct input into Department through the appointed positions form which must be completed each year in order to be considered for for one of the appointed positions.

There are various Department Committees. Hopefully your chapter would be recommending a member for a committee position who would be interested in the area of concern covered by that committee. Any input from these various committees is used by Department for areas of concern to disabled veterans and their families. The appointed Committee members should strive to try and attend Department functions whenever possible, especially the SEC meeting and Convention.

The Deputy Chief of Staff positions are the other appointed positions for which each chapter has input. These positions are by District, so input from several chapters is considered. Members recommended for these positions should be willing to attend Department functions. If they are then appointed to a Deputy Chief of Staff position, it should be expected by both the chapter and the District that the person recommended will attend at least the SEC meeting and the Department Convention. The participation in Department functions is an excellent way to become acquainted with the business of the DAV.

An important part of this is the participation of chapters in the process of the election of your State Executive Committee member from each District. It is this individual who is entrusted with the responsibility to represent you and to review and approve actions taken by Department as we run the day to day affairs of the business end of the Department. The person elected to serve on the State Executive Committee should be a person who is not only experienced and interested in the DAV, but interested in furthering the goals of the DAV at the Department level. The individual should be a participating member of their chapter and also be willing and able to reach out to other chapters. It is vital that those elected commit to fulfilling the obligation of their office. The training ground for the job as a member of the State Executive Committee is the elected Alternate State Executive Committee member. These two individuals, both SEC & Alternate, have the responsibility to attend the Department State Executive Committee meeting and the Department Convention. It is a two year commitment starting as the Alternate. The Alternate SEC steps in if the SEC is not available. The service as part of the State Executive Committee can also be a proving ground for members as they work with Department Staff and Officers on issues facing disabled veterans. The experience can also be valuable as they will gain a first hand knowledge of the issues faced by the DAV and the Department. For those who may aspire to higher office in the Department, this type of participation is invaluable.

I know each of the Department Officers and Staff are dedicated and concerned about the health and well-being of each chapter and member. We at Department all work long and hard to see to it. We can only help if we know that any one person or chapter wants or needs help. Sadly, members and officers do not think to call Department for advice and may situations evolve to the point of upsetting the membership. I would strongly recommend that each of you call our Department office if you need advice or just want to discuss how better to meet your chapters goals.

By now, a new Department Commander has been elected by the Chapter Delegates at our Department Convention. I know you will be as supportive of him, just as you were of me.

To answer the question: YOU BET WE DO!

MY ADJUTANT

by Sidney Siller, Sr., PDC, Department Adjutant

My turn as Department Commander ended almost 50 years ago. This date is dramatic to me in a number of ways. The one way that it was brought home to me was yesterday, when I learned that Irving Peltz, our longtime friend passed.

For those of you who did not know Irving Peltz, are missing that great relationship that can occur between people who are active in the same time frame, that some people impart to others. Irving Peltz was the kind of man who was quietly inspirational and imparted to others his dedication and courage.

Irving Peltz was a WWII veteran who lost an arm, a leg and an eye. What was left of his body was pack-marked with shrapnel from his combat experiences. Yet, through it all, I never heard him complain.

After my election as Department Commander in Rochester, New York, I was asked if I would appoint Irving as my Adjutant. During the discussion that ensued, I learned that if I appointed Irving Peltz, he would share the sum of $2,500.00 with the other NSO's in the Brooklyn, Regional VA Office. The idea being that in those days, NSO's earned $2,400.00 annually. Irving agreed to do the Adjutant's job and I agreed to appoint him. I decision I never regretted.

Irving Peltz, went on to be the National Director of Claims for the DAV and moved to Chase, Maryland.

He later went on to a career with the VA Central Office in Washington, DC.

Irving Peltz passed away yesterday, June 7th, 2007, and he will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery on June 18, 2007.

Irving Peltz always cared for us in the Department of New York, and we always loved and admired him. Irving is a man for all time; all world everything. We will miss him, and so will mankind.

*A full necrology will appear in the next issue.

TAPS

Department has been notified that the following comrades have been called into final formation above:

• Richard F. Raad, Chapter #117, passed 5/07
• Irving Peltz, passed 6/07

Department and the membership extend deepest sympathies to the family members, friends and comrades of these fallen heroes. May each one rest in honor.

Please feel free to call, write or e-mail davny@optonline.net Headquarters if you have a loss in your Chapter that we can include in this column.

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