Veterans helping Veterans
The Honor Guard ceremony is carried out with great respect for the fellow fallen veteran. Photo by PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
Are you an honorably discharged veteran? If so, you may want to check out the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 20. The local Chapter 20 is located in Glasgow; however, its membership covers many counties. Chapter 20 is Commanded by Curtis Littrell and they meet every 4th Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the DAV clubhouse located at 1770 Cleveland Avenue in Glasgow. If you are interested, you can call and talk to Mr. Littrell or attend one of their meetings.
Commander Littrell relayed that he would like to see more veterans involved with the DAV. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old as long as you were honorably discharged and served, you are welcome. The members of the DAV are held to a standard of clean conduct.
Although you don’t have to be disabled, membership is open to anyone wounded, injured, or disabled during honorable wartime service. The following provides the dates of active-duty service that are considered during “time of war”: World War II and Korea 9/16/1940 – 1/31/1955; Vietnam and Other Engagements 1/31/1955 – 10/14/1976; Iranian Crisis, Lebanon Crisis, and Invasion of Grenada, Invasion of Panama, and other engagements 11/4/1979 – 1/31/1990; Persian Gulf Crisis and Subsequent Engagements 8/2/1990 – until terminated by Presidential Proclamation or Congressional Resolution.
The DAV does many things to help their fellow veterans for example service officers meet on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Lera B Mitchell clubhouse in Glasgow on South Green Street. They help veterans file claims for health and disability benefits, provide emergency relief, and even help veterans find employment through their online resources. The DAV also provides veterans with free transportation to receive medical care.
The DAV also advocates for veteran’s rights and benefits before Congress and other government agencies. All these resources are available to all veterans (DAV member or not) and are provided at no cost.
The DAV also participates in events such as Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day parades and ceremonies. The local Chapter 20 has participated in the Summer Shade Founders Day parade and other local events.
Some of the members provide services in The Honor Guard which is something people have experienced as part of a funeral. Most people do not realize the Honor Guard is part of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter. Honoring the passing of a fellow veteran is only a tiny portion of what the DAV does, but shows great respect in honoring a fellow fallen veteran.
If you have not experienced the Honor Guard ceremony, it is inspiring. It follows a strict procedure including the folding of the American Flag. The meaning of each section of the flag is given and each of the 13 folds holds a specific meaning as well. The folded flag is then presented to the veteran’s closest family member.
These services are offered for free, but donations are very much appreciated. The DAV Chapter 20 in Glasgow has provided Honor Guard ceremonies in many counties Metcalfe, Barren, Monroe, Allen, Hart, Cumberland, and locations in Tennessee.
The Honor Guard fires 3 rounds of shots during the ceremony. Three of those shot casings are neatly tucked inside the folded flag and stand for duty, honor, and country. Photo by PJ Martin
The History
The DAV is an organization created in 1920 by World War I veterans for disabled military veterans of the United States Armed Forces that helps them and their families through various means. It was issued a federal charter by Congress in 1932. It currently has over 1 million members. As a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Charity Navigator (evaluator) has rated the DAV as one of the top charity organizations in the United States with a 4-star rating for the 15th time.
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) uses most of its donations to support veterans and their families:
- Programs: In 2023, 83.3% of DAV donations went directly to veterans and families. DAV’s programs include assistance with benefits, employment, and health care.
- Services: DAV offers free professional help to veterans and their families to obtain benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and other government agencies.
- Donations: DAV is a tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.
DAV is entirely funded by donations from the public and does not receive government funding. The DAV helps over 1 million Veterans each year.
DAV Auxiliary
The DAV Auxiliary is the sister organization of the Disabled American Veterans. Its mission statement is “Making a difference in the lives of disabled veterans and their families”. Members of the DAV Auxiliary include mothers, wives, sisters, widows, daughters, stepdaughters, granddaughters, and legally adopted female lineal descendants of members of the DAV.
Spouses, fathers, grandfathers, and legally adopted male lineal descendants of female members of the DAV are eligible for membership in the DAV Auxiliary.
You can find more detailed information at www.dav.org.
