Blind Veterans
National Chapter #1
WEB SITE: www.davbvnc1.com
September/October Newsletter
Editor: Dennis O’Connell
"IF I CANNOT SPEAK GOOD OF MY COMRADE, I WILL NOT SPEAK
CHAPTER OFFICERS
Commander Carroll Prosser (SC)
Phone (843) 997-1981
Email: heypops43@gmail.com
Sr. Vice Cdr. James Hogan (CA)
1st Jr. Vice Cdr. Stephen Moffitt (RI)
2nd Jr. Vice Cdr. William Burgess (FL)
3rd Jr. Vice Cdr. Rick Calissi (FL)
4th Jr. Vice Cdr. Charles Brooks (FL)
Judge Advocate Dennis O’Connell (NY)
Chaplain Rev. Tony Martino (WI)
Phone 847
736 2111
email: Deaconmart@wi.rr.com
Phone 904 291-0576
email: pkjax@kaminsky.com
Immediate Past Commander
Richard Bugbee (AZ)
PLEASE, If you know of any member who is sick or deceased
inform one of the officers whose contact information is listed above ASAPP.
R I P
Donald
Raies,
WELCOME ABOARD
Leonard
Pope,
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDER
I
apologize for taking so long to give my thanks to everyone for their support at
our national convention. It is truly an honor to serve as your commander and
most of all your friend. The purpose of the national blind chapter should be to
promote awareness of the blind and what each of us can do to show that even as
blinded people we can still and will continue to be helpful and productive
citizens. I will do my best to stand beside you and your caregivers to support
programs that will be productive for each and every one of our members and
other blind and visually impaired veteran and non veterans alike. Please
contact me if I can be of assistance to any of you.
FIRST BLIND KAYAKER DOWN THE
ENTIRE
Disabled
Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell made history in August, becoming the first
completely blind solo kayaker to paddle down the entire length of the
Alex
Nielson, one of the three veterans who guided Bedwell, remarked on the biggest
challenge the team faced on their journey: building a system of communication
between Bedwell and his guides. "Once we had established a system of
commands, and a method for speaking to each other in the rapids, Lonnie and I
continued to work together in order to get more familiar with each other and to
perfect our navigation techniques. By the time we were running the largest
rapids of the
Fellow
veteran Mike Bradley said, "I have no words to describe how amazing it was
to be a part of guiding the first blind kayaker to navigate the entire
By
kayaking the entire 226-mile length of the
Mornini,
who co-founded Team River Runner, a chapter of Disabled Sports USA, in 2004 and
currently serves as its Executive Director, praised the team effort that
engendered this historic achievement and which continues to serve as the ethos
of his organization. "No one goes down the
"Joe
Mornini has opened the doors for warriors who were wounded to find life again
on the water. He is a man of singular vision and energy who saw a need and
focused his sight on helping wounded veterans get back in the game," said
Brian "Bru" Brurud, the founder of Check-6, Inc.
"Congratulations to Lonnie and Team River Runner on a job very well
done!"
MORE ABOUT NATIONAL
CONVENTION
From:
Marc Burgess, DAV
National
Adjutant/CEO
Service:
DAV
and Auxiliary volunteers Dennis Krulder and Melody Angelini were honored for
their outstanding service at the convention. Outgoing DAV National Commander
Larry Polzin said, “Their support of our injured and ill veterans is a fine
example of the dedication of DAV’s volunteers.”
Employers
of the Year Recognized for Veteran Hires: one tree was in an and in an
The
strong practice of hiring veterans earned ICF International of Fairfax,
Transportation
Network Given a New Car:
Following
a public call to help replace an aging fleet of vehicles for DAV’s volunteer
Transportation Network in
Claims:
The
VA recently made this request of veterans regarding filing service-connected
disability claims: Get help from accredited claims preparers. Veterans can access the best trained team of VA claims
experts right here from DAV!
Suicide
Prevention a Phone Call Away:
Trained
professionals are on the line at the Veterans Crisis Line, the VA’s
confidential suicide prevention hotline. Veterans or concerned family and
friends can call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text 838255 or chat online for
help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Keep
the Inspiration Going:
Like
all the great feelings we take away from life’s high points, DAV members are
holding on to the energy that came out of the National Convention – whether
they were there in person or followed the action on the Internet.
You
keep DAV running strong through your own involvement, earning our deepest
gratitude.
Meet
DAV National Commander Joe Johnston:
A
unanimous vote elected Joe Johnston as National Commander at DAV’s recent
National Convention. Having built a successful new life in nonprofit management
after injuries ended his career as a military officer, the Army ranger brings a
wealth of leadership, management and financial experience to his new role.
DAV IS HERE FOR YOU
Government
shutdown or not, DAV believes that veterans are a national priority. That’s why
we’re still on the job. Despite a partial shutdown of the federal government,
including some elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs, DAV remains on
duty to help. Whether in their offices or setting up canopies in public areas,
our National Service Officers are ready to assist you in filing claims for
veteran’s benefits. And even though the shutdown may slow the claims process,
it is important to file a claim to protect the effective date of any award you
may receive.
REASON
TO LET US KNOW IF YOU MOVE
In
the last issue I wrote: William H. Ledbetter,
GOD BLESS