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We all have important values and ideas, things we care about and want to share. Sometimes we feel our ideas can even change
the world, and we want to let other people know how they can join in and make all our lives better.
This site will present our organization's cause or ideas to the world. As communicating isn't always easy, we'll try to include
photos and images that convey our message (remember, a well-chosen picture is a great way to get a point across). We'll also
include specific information about our organization and its members, so no one forgets the people behind the pictures.
AMERICAS war veterans come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and ages. Their collective experience spans two world wars
and several foreign conflicts. They have followed war mules through Flanders Field, dropped from landing barges onto the beaches
of Normandy, faced the icy cold of Porkchop Hill and trudged the ice paddies of the Mekong Delta.
But, regardless of
differences in makeup and experience, all veterans share a common bond, a brotherhood of memory and hard-won wisdom that helps
define their character.
A veteran is the first man up as the flag passes by on the 4th of July, and the last one down,
for he has been a witness to the blood and tears that make this and all other parades possible.
A veteran is a man of
peace, soft spoken, slow to anger, quick to realize that those who talk most about the glory of war are those who know least
about its horror. He never jokes about war; he's been there, and still sees on memories vivid screen the wounded and the dying,
the widows and orphans; he knows first-hand that no war is good and that the only thing worse than war is slavery.
He
is friend to all races of man, begrudging none; he carries with him the knowledge that it is not the man who is the enemy
but enslavement and false ideologies. Those whom he once faced across the hostile battle lines, he now esteems as his brothers.
A veteran is at once proud and humble: proud of the fact that in 200 years no foreign enemy has set foot on American
sod; and humble in the realization that many of his comrades who helped him make this lofty aim a reality, never returned.
More than anything else, a veteran loves freedom. He can spend a whole afternoon doing nothing just because it suits
him, and just because he has paid the price to do what he wants with his time. He also takes a personal pride in the freedom
of others-in men and women attending the church of their choice; in friends voting how they choose; and in children sleeping
quietly, without fear to interrupt their slumber
A veteran is every man grown up a little taller-a person who understands
the awesome price of life's intangibles of freedom, justice and democracy. His motto is to live and let live. But, if he had
to, if he had to choose between servitude and conflict, the veteran would once again answer a call to duty.
Because,
above all; above all else; a veteran is an American.
Great Links to Dav Sites at the bottom of the Page.::::
may 2006
Rules and Regulations
DAV
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
The following rules and regulations have been established by DAV National Service and Legislative
Headquarters for the safety of passengers and volunteer drivers:
The van driver is only permitted to stop the van
for rest stops and/or emergencies and to pickup and discharge passengers. Passengers should not request the driver to make
side trips to take care of their personal business.
Passengers are not permitted to smoke, chew tobacco, drink alcohol,
use foul language or bring weapons, drugs or any illegal substance on the van. Further, the van driver may not provide transportation
to any veteran who is intoxicated, abusive or poses a threat to the driver or other passengers on the van. '
Passengers
should not engage in any activity that will distract the driver's attention.
Passengers, -should wear seat belts at all
times, Any passenger refusing to buckle-up will be denied transportation on the van. Individuals other than the veteran will
be permitted to ride in the van with the veteran in only two cases:
A veteran's spouse who has a "Spouse Permission to
Travel" slip from the patient's doctor, or A CAREGIVER WHO IS AUTHORIZED BY THE VA TO PROVIDE THE VETERAN WITH Aid and Attendance.
Any exceptions to this policy must be authorized by the patient's attending physician.
Responsibility of the veteran
or his/her family member to contact the DAV Hospital Service Coordinator as soon as possible regarding appointment cancellations
or changes.
Only articles small enough to be held on the veteran's lap or put under the seat will be transported in the
DAV van.
The driver may refuse to transport any veteran who he/she feels is too ill to ride the van, or the driver may
request a written statement from a VA physician stating it's permissible for the veteran to travel.
Patients utilizing
the DAV VAN will not be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses (VA Manual M- I, Part I Chapter 25).
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Mission Statement
To ensure people get the right idea about Disabled American Veterans.
The Dav Transportation Network
The Problem -- In the spring of 1987, the Veterans Administration (VA) stopped reimbursing
veterans for the costs of transportation to and from VA medical facilities. The move was made necessary by Congressional budget
cuts, and thousands of war veterans were left stranded and cut off from proper medical care. Many were seeking treatment for
service-connected disabilities. Nearly all the rest were poor and had no other health care resources to depend on.
The
Need -- Many disabled veterans live on small fixed incomes, often many miles from the nearest VA hospital. They must rely
on private transportation. Paying their own travel costs is a tremendous hardship when every dollar is required for shelter
and food. In some instances, veterans have given up trying to seek the medical care they need and earned. They feel abandoned,
left with no choice but to suffer in silence.
The DAV Solution -- Immediately upon hearing of the benefit cuts,
the Disabled American Veterans -- the DAV -- began organizing a nationwide Transportation Network. This will ultimately involve
placing a Hospital Service Coordinator (HSC) in 172 VA hospitals. These DAV HSCs are assembling corps of volunteer drivers
and matching them up with disabled veteran's hospital transportation requests.
The DAV has also provided the VA
with a large number of vans for transportation of disabled veterans. When the need was great, the DAV jumped in and provided
a total solution. We're providing the drivers, we're providing the vans where needed, and we're providing the employees needed
to coordinate the program.
The Result -- No individual who has served our country and sacrificed a limb, eyesight
or good health should be denied proper medical care just because he or she can't reach a VA facility. No veteran should have
to sacrifice food or money or be required to cut down on living expenses. Nor should vets have to neglect their health because
they can't afford to pay for transportation.
Our Transportation Network is saving thousands of veterans from such
sacrifices. It's one more example of how the DAV responds -- effectively and thoroughly -- when veterans need help.
You Too Can Help -- If you'd like to be a volunteer driver in our Transportation Network, your help is needed, whether
or not you're a DAV member.
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