Commanders Call for the 2012 OK DAV State Convention

Commander, Bob Brandt has posted a letter for the 2012 OK DAV State Convention please go to www.okdav.org to read. Be sure to sign up for the Commander's Patriotic Picnic Banquet at 6:00pm at the Biltmore Hotel in OKC on June 23, 2012 $25....00 per person all money must be recieved by no later than May 31, 2012 or the rate goes up to $30 per person. This is one event you will not want to miss. Governor Mary Fallin is also on calendar to attend the OK DAV State Convention as well as Joseph Violante, our National Legislative Director in Washington D.C. for the Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Violante will not only be bringing “Greetings” but brings a wealth of DAV experience and knowledge.

Survey About the OK DAV (Disabled American Veterans)

 

The purpose of this survey is to gather your opinions about the Oklahoma DAV. All responses are anonymous. By clicking the below link, you are agreeing to voluntarily participate in this survey.
This survey is open to both veterans and non veterans. When you have finished with the survey about the OK DAV there is another survey sponsored by Survey Monkey that has nothing to do with the DAV survey it is up to your discretion whether you want to complete that survey.
Click here to take the survey

Disabled American Veterans 6 Minute Video Presentation

6 Minute Disabled American Veterans (DAV) video is now online www.okdav.org

For more than 90 years, one organization has been on the front lines fighting for the rights of men and women who bear the scars. That organization is the Disabled American Veterans the (DAV). Made up exclusively of men and women disabled in our nation’s defense, the DAV is dedicated to a single purpose.building better lives for all of our nations disabled veterans and their families. All of our services are provided free of charge. When the DAV’s founders returned home from the trenches of World War I, they found a nation ill prepared to help them. Though physically and emotionally scarred they joined together to fight for each other’s rights, health care and job training. Today, there are more than 3 million disabled veterans in the United States and every day more injured and sick service men and women are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to join their ranks. The DAV is here for our returning veterans and their families to honor their sacrifices and help close the gap between what disabled veterans need and what the government can provide.

Oklahoma Veterans Awareness Day

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 – From 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Oklahoma State Capital - 2300 N Lincoln Blvd Oklahoma City, OK

Tell our Legislators to make Veterans their priority and this is your opportunity to do it face to face! Be sure to wear your DAV hats, shirts and memorabilia.

Your local Representatives will be there, so please be sure to arrive early and meet with them before the opening at 1:00pm.

Homeless Veterans *** Its only a start

Decline in Homelessness Among Veterans:

According to the VA and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, the number of homeless veterans in our nation dropped nearly 12% between January 2010 and January 2011.

A supplement to the departments’ 2011 Annual Homeless Assessment Report estimates there were 67,495 veterans without homes on a single night in January, 2011.

Merry Christmas

Brother and Sister Comrades,

Another calendar year has gone by too swiftly. So many things that we have intended to do, never got done because we are being pulled so many ways all the time. However, I know that when it comes to helping a Veteran in need, we seem to always find the time to do so. I hope that this past year has been one of fortune and blessings for you and your families.

DAV National show that at the time of this writing the Department is less than 300 members short of our quota goal. I encourage each of you to carry a membership application with you at all times and sign up just 1 new member. If we all did that we would reach that goal quickly and exceed it. If you don't know what the eligibility requirements are please call the office for clarification.

The DAV Department of Oklahoma is becoming well know throughout the country in no small part to the efforts of our Adjutant, Danny Oliver, and what he has done with our Mobile Service Unit. The MSU has seen action this year as a result of the tornadoes that ripped through the State, as well as several appearances in parades all over the State. It was even taken to the National Convention in New Orleans where it was used to do claims work. It has even made it onto You Tube. All of this has resulted in Departments from all over the country wanting info on how they can get a similar unit.

Other exciting news from the Department is through the efforts of Dr. Tom Sellers, where we have partnered with Rogers State University. The Business Department is working to develop a marketing plan that will get the word out to the public on who and what the DAV is along with what we do. This has the potential to be a boom to the Department in regards to membership, donations and influence within the Veteran community.

Google has recently opened a division in the Pryor area. They have asked us if we would like to partner with them thereby generating public knowledge about us as well as helping us with possible fund raising. These partnerships are at no cost to the Department too. I wish to extend my thanks on behalf of the Department to both Danny and Dr. Sellers for what they are doing for this Department.

In closing Comrades, I wish that 2012 brings God's favor and Blessings on your household. May you have peace and love in your hearts and minds. And I ask that you remember the Oath of Obligation we all took. We have promised insofar as feasible, to always aid and assist any Disabled Comrade, to uphold the integrity and character of a Comrade Veteran. Reach out to someone this season and share the love of your God and goodwill of the DAV, as you may never know what your actions today could result in tomorrow.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Bob Brandt, Commander
DAV Department of Oklahoma

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all our veterans and their family. Because of every single one of you that has served or is still serving in our great nation's military, we have freedom, and we Thank You.

Remember, if  you suffer from a disease, illness, or injury that you received while you served, contact a local DAV chapter near you. The Chapter Service Officer will assist you in completing the required paperwork for the VA, free of charge. These are your benefits, use them. If you have received assistance from the DAV, pay it forward and help them, join your local chapter. The DAV is a non-profit organization that doesn't receive federal funding.

God Bless the United States of America and it's military family, past and present.

Chapter 32 Happenings

Have you heard? Chapter 32 has an official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/DAV-Chapter-Thirty-Two/107761989305942?sk=wall

All Chapter meetings start with a potluck dinner @ 6:30 and meetings will then begin about 7:30

The theme for October is Halloween

The theme for November is Thanksgiving

Chapter 17 - Veteran's Day Celebration & Chili Cook Off

Date: Saturday, November 12, 2011

09:30 Parade Line Up in Blanchard, OK

10:30 Parade down Main Street to Honor all US Veterans.
Marching Bands, Floats, Shriners,Motorcycles, Hot
Rods, Antique Tractors, Riding and Round Up Clubs
and much more.

12:00 Chili Cook Off, Live Band and Toy Drive at Lions Park.
A new unwrapped toy valued at $5.00 or $5.00 cash
donation to tast Chili. All proceeds go to the
Blanchard area Toy drive to benefit area children.

For more information about the day's events and registration
forms go to www.cityofblanchard.us or call 405-431-0670 or email thx2@juno.com.