The following article was originally posted on the Courier Record website.
There is little that brings a community more together than helping one another, and that is exactly what the Blackstone chapter of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) does.
Part of a national group with more than a million members, this dynamic group helps one and all, heads down, getting the work done.
According to the DAV’s website, the mission is to offer “free, professional assistance from our benefits advocates who can help veterans and their families receive benefits they’ve earned – health care, disability, employment, education, financial benefits, and more.”
The focus is on the most vulnerable and, of course, they help pass legislation that benefits our soldiers. (At this time we may have as many as 6.5 million disabled veterans in the U.S.)
Some people in government must be listening. On September 8th, President Trump signed an executive order quickening access to benefits and jobs for military veterans.
What is also special about our local group is you don’t need to be disabled to qualify for help.
Explained Michael Bagley, who spent 30 years in the Army and is now Adjutant for the chapter, “We’re neighbors in the community willing to help, and would like to say we’re not going to limit help to the military because everyone has downtime when they need a helping hand. We want to help whomever and whenever with reasonable problems.”
Blackstone Chapter #28 meets at its headquarters down the long and winding Mt. Nebo Road on the first Tuesday of every month. The evening is one of patriotism, fellowship, kindness, and prayer.
As Commander Samuel Watkins (who served in The National Guard and Army Reserve for 24 years) said about the non-profit, “If we want projects done, they are going to get done.”
Lorinda Hurt served in the Army as a member of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) for two years. She worked as a cook and administrator for the MPs along with her husband, who is also member of the DAV chapter.
As she explained, “Camaraderie is so different in the military. A lot have been through the same experiences. It’s a world where it’s so diverse. There’s closeness wherever you’re stationed. You’re usually young, away from home, and you meet people from all walks of life. It family. We have been through the same experiences.”
The list of what Chapter #28 accomplishes is impressive: finding ways to build ramps for the disabled, visiting members in nursing homes, hospitals, helping organize funerals.
The group also spends many days at the Golden Corral in Colonial Heights, where they help Gold Star families financially, send their children to camp for free, and also offer advice and direction to any veteran or family member who needs information. That’s on top of attending military events, commemorations, national conferences, giving poor families food during the holidays, etc.
Our local DAV usually has about 20 members or so at its monthly meetings. Those attending are both from Blackstone and surrounding towns. However, they need more members, especially those that are younger. Several of the DAV are getting older – a few even fought in the long-ago Vietnam War — and driving at night can be a challenge.
As a community, perhaps it’s time to help our DAV chapter. Find volunteers; promote awareness by hosting events and fundraisers; help with grants; even pitch in on making improvements on the building where they meet.
Blackstone Chapter #28 makes you proud to be an American.
If interested in reaching out, contact Commander Samuel Watkins or Adjutant Michael Bagley at PO Box 43, Blackstone, VA 23824-2725.
A link to the national website is DAV: Disabled American Veterans.
