Saturday, May 4, 2024
Veterans don’t always know about the vast array of rights and benefits that they’ve earned through serving their country — but that’s exactly why the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization was formed.
The DAV is dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity, according to dav.org.
Its mission is carried forward by providing several services, but its main one is to provide free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies of government, according to the website.
“To be a member of the DAV, you have to be a disabled American veteran,” said Ken Horton, DAV Granbury member and service officer. “You can become a life member for $300, and with that, what you get is you have representation by a group that will go to bat for you that will assist you in filling out your paperwork for any of the disabilities that you might apply for or any of the benefits that you might apply for through the VA.”
As a way to assist Hood County veterans with what they qualify for, the DAV Waco National Service Office is inviting disabled veterans and their families to attend a DAV Veterans Information Seminar on Saturday, July 29.
The seminar will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hood County Annex #1, 1410 W. Pearl St.
During the seminar, DAV National Service Officer (NSO) Paul Shook will discuss facts that will strengthen attendees’ knowledge and understanding regarding the benefits and services that they have earned following their service.
"He will sit down with anyone wishing to have one-on-ones to fill out paperwork, so that they can apply for any of the benefits that they are entitled to,” Horton explained.
Shook will also discuss the new law changes that may affect veterans to include the PACT Act, Blue Water Navy, and Camp Lejeune Water Contamination.
According to va.gov, the PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps the VA provide generations of veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve, according to the VA website.
"This is a real important time, because the (ninth) of August is whenever the Veteran Administration is cutting off the PACT Act and the Blue Water,” Horton explained. “If they fit in on that PACT Act — they'll be able to find out at this meeting — they can get registered, so it's very important that if you're able and if you're entitled, you need to do it.”
If claims for the PACT Act are submitted before the Aug. 9 deadline, veterans may receive benefits backdated to Aug. 10, 2022.
With 5,000 veterans in Hood County alone, DAV Granbury is trying to ensure local veterans are informed about their benefits, and how to access them.
“Even though the VA is trying to help, we as representatives fight for the veteran — not just the VA, because they can turn you down on anything — but if you've got a representative that is qualified, they will go to bat for you," said Sam Turner, DAV Granbury member and service officer.
Turner explained that there’s several things that veterans don’t know about, like their burial benefits for instance.
“You can be buried in national cemeteries. You can even be in Arlington if you get on the list,” he said. “There's, like 13 different retirement centers for veterans. Big Spring has one, and I know they have one over in the Dallas area, but it's just part of the things that we're trying to help veterans with.”
Veterans don’t have to be a member of DAV to come to the seminar, but they are welcome to join the organization after, Turner said.
"That's what we're here to do is help veterans, young and old,” he said.
The DAV Granbury meets on the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Acton, located at 3601 Fall Creek Highway. There are currently 110 members in the local chapter.
“We don't drink, we don't smoke, we don't party, we don't play bingo — this is strictly an organization to help other veterans,” Turner added.
For more information about DAV Granbury, call 682-719-5560 or email davgranbury@gmail.com.
