With wars going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Korean and Vietnam war veterans growing older, the commander of the local Disabled American Veterans unit predicts an increasing need for services from the organization.
Emporia DAV Commander Van Hardesty said that the organization stands ready to help connect vets with the services they need. Members will help veterans get counseling, show them how to apply for disability benefits, act as a support team and promote family activities for people involved in the group.
Eligibility for membership requires meeting only one major criteria.
“Any type of disability from the service, service-connected,” Hardesty said.
DAV volunteers operate a van service to take former service men and women to the Veterans Administration hospital for appointments and treatments.
“It’s still running every day, and it won’t leave you up there,” Hardesty said. “It’ll wait for you, free.”
The local DAV, however, operated its own informal transportation program here long before the official van began its daily trips. Hardesty credited two WWII vets for keeping the DAV active and for carrying much of the responsibility for the local group.
“That man, Warren Horton, and Aaron Bura have done more for Lyon County veterans than anybody else,” Hardesty said. “Before we had a van, he’d (Horton) drive up in his car all the time.”
Hardesty said that membership has dwindled over the years, as World War II veterans diminish in number. Members now are encouraging vets from the Korean and Vietnam wars to check into the services and support offered through the local DAV group.
As those veterans age, he said, they may begin to show symptoms of service-related injuries and diseases, and that the local DAV may be able to assist them in obtaining the treatment they need.
“We’re still trying to get the Iraq and Afghanistan vets to come in with us,” he said.
Current service men and women are returning to VA hospitals in large numbers, many with limbs missing or severely maimed.
Hardesty mentioned a young service woman he encountered recently in the Topeka hospital; part of her hand had been blown away. She politely refused when he offered to help her tie her shoe. That was something she had to learn to do herself, she told him.
“She never complained,” he said. “It kind of tore me up. A lot of young people are in the vets hospital.”
Physical and mental therapy both are available.
“Just because they’re physically OK doesn’t mean they’re not mentally hurt,” Hardesty said.
The group meets at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month.
For more information about the organization and its services, call Hardesty at 342-8149 or Bura at 342-4381.
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
where do you meet?
March 17, 2010 at 6:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
One of my former Vietnam Veterns did not come back home and these good ole boys that don't uphold the constitution are playing a dangerous game with me. Nuff said.
March 19, 2010 at 1:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )