While veterans around the country are eligible for veteran services, many of them aren’t aware of the those provided by the local DAV (Disabled American Veterans) organization. Programs such as DAV’s free veteran transportation program, outdoor program, donor connect, and more, are all valuable services available to U.S. veterans.

DAV was created in 1920 and is a nationally chartered veteran service organization with nearly 1.3 million members nation-wide. Any veteran, male or female, who served in the armed forces during a time of war or under conditions simulating war, was wounded, disabled, or left with long-term illness due to their service, and was discharged or retired from military service honorably, is eligible for the organization.

DAV Minnesota has 30 chapters spread throughout the state made up of local veterans. It has one of the largest veteran transportation programs in the nation, driving over 1.4 million miles in 2018 while providing over 28,000 free rides to veterans, including rides to and from their VA and VA paid appointments.

In 2014, Terrance Vander Eyk, a veteran himself, wanted to begin volunteering so he could serve other veterans. He went to the St. Cloud Veterans Association (VA) to inquire about opportunities, and found the DAV just getting started there. He signed up as a volunteer for their transportation program.

Today he mainly drives the ADHC (adult day health care) route for older veterans who served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The DAV provides a program two to three days a week for these vets to socialize and play cards. The program provides the vets an opportunity to get out of the house and gives their home providers the opportunity to take a well-needed break from their caregiving responsibilities.

“The DAV provides transportation options from the veteran’s front doorstep to the VA Medical Center and back on a weekly basis,” said Eyk. “In addition to DAV professional staff, many of the drivers are veteran and non-veteran volunteers serving veterans. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Veterans, male and female, share a common bond. They have served their country and are proud of it. A significant opportunity for veterans of all generations to come together and share quality time is the DAV’s outdoor program, whether it be on a boat, in a fish house, or at an evening meal after a hunt. The events are largely free of charge.

Donor Connect was created by DAV to connect unwanted/unused durable medical equipment to veterans and their family members who may benefit from them. Items accepted under the program include ramps, walkers, lift recliners, manual and power wheelchairs, scooters, body lifts, and shower stools and chairs.

The DAV works to provide free claims and benefits service officers, who assist veterans, their families, and their surviving spouses in filing claims for VA disability compensation, rehabilitation and education programs, pensions, death benefits, and employment and training programs.

The organization also heads up veteran legislative initiatives and operates the DAV Foundation. Numerous veterans’ programs throughout Minnesota are supported by the foundation, and a large percentage of program funding comes through tax-deductible donations of clothing and household items.

All veterans are encouraged to learn more about DAV by visiting the DAV Minnesota website at davmn.org, and community members are encouraged to visit the site to learn more about what they can do to support veterans and the organization.