Disabled
American Veterans
Blind Veterans National Chapter #1
WEB SITE: http://www.davbvnc1.com/contents.htm
March/April 2014 Newsletter
Editor: Dennis O’Connell
Bvnc1@verizon.net
"IF I CANNOT SPEAK GOOD OF MY COMRADE,
I WILL NOT SPEAK ILL OF HIM OR HER."
OFFICERS
OF THE BLIND CHAPTER
Commander Carroll Prosser (SC)
Phone (843) 997-1981
Email: heypops43@gmail.com
Senior Vice Commander James Hogan (CA)
1st Junior Vice Commander (deceased 12/09/13) Stephen Moffitt (RI)
2nd Junior Vice Commander William Burgess (FL)
3rd Vice Commander Rick Calissi (FL)
4th Junior Vice Commander Charles Brooks (FL)
Judge Advocate Dennis O’Connell (NY)
Chaplain
Rev. Tony Martino (IL)
Phone 847 736 2111
email: deaconmartino@gmail.com
Adjutant/Treasurer Paul Kaminsky (FL) (also webmaster)
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.
WELCOME ABOARD
Roger Burch,
I hope this message finds all of you and your families doing
well. A special thought and prayer goes out to our immediate past commander Richard
Bugbee. Hope you are improving with each day. I am sure all of you that have survived this
most horrendous winter will be glad to see the weather turn into something just a little
more tolerable. Once again our congresspersons and our senators have done exactly as
always and decided to leave us swinging in the trees while they enjoy the partisan and
self serving politics as usual. The failure of senate bill 1982 was a perfect example of
pork barrel politics at it's finest. Hopefully one day they will come to realize that
veterans do count and do something to help rather than hurt all veterans. This bill would
have made it possible for veterans of all eras that need 24/7 care be able to receive this
benefit.
I hope to see as many of you as possible attend the convention in August at
A great big thank you to each of you for what you are doing to help your fellow veterans
and their families.
SOCIAL SECURITY
INFORMATION
Beginning August 2014, we will no longer issue Social Security
number printouts in our field offices. Any person who need proof of their Social Security
number, and cannot find their card, will need to apply for a replacement card.
In addition, beginning October 2014, our field offices
will stop providing benefit verification letters, except in emergency situations. Benefit
verifications are available online, and can be obtained anytime by registering for a my
Social Security account located at: www.socialsecurity.gov\myaccount, or
requested through our national toll-free number: 1(800)772-1213.
MORE ABOUT
DECEASED MEMBERS
I didn’t have room in the last issue for the following about
Flloyd Britting. Dennis
Something else members may not know about Floyd. I think it is
what most people call Deputy but Floyd was a retired Under Sheriff in
A very high percentage of the donations at the chapter breakfast
were from
Floyd Britting, 94, passed away in mid September. Floyd emulated
our motto, “Keeping The Promise” through his unwavering support as a long time
volunteer at the
Sandy Alexander, former Wichita VIST, had this to say about
Floyd. “He is a wonderful person who surely is rejoicing in the presence of his Lord
and we look forward to the day we will see him again in heaven.
Floyd has left a great mark upon the world and many have benefited from their
having journeyed along the road with him, some for longer periods than others.
He leaves a remarkable history of service to his fellow man, especially to those
who share his challenges resulting from visual impairment.
He was a great inspiration to fellow blind veterans who realized they could do what
he had done and could achieve what he was encouraging them to pursue. He was a dedicated volunteer who was faithful to
his post in good weather and bad and always had an encouraging word for a veteran who felt
the world had come to an end.”
Floyd was also a leader in the world of advocacy for the blind.
“All who have known Floyd are better for their
encounter.” Timothy Hornik
2014 DAV NATIONAL
CONVENTION
August 8 – 12, 2014
Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Telephone: 1.800.634.3434
$112 Single/Double
Typical Convention Schedule for Blind Chapter:
Friday, August 8, 2014
9:00
AM First Business Session
4:00
PM Second Business Session
1
- 3 PM District Meetings
Saturday, August 9, 2014
8:30
AM DAV Joint Opening Session
1:00
PM DAV First Business Session
2:45
PM Convention Committee Meetings
7:00
PM National Commander's Reception
Sunday, August 10, 2014
9:00
AM DAV Second Business Session
1
- 3 PM Seminars
4
- 6 PM Commanders & Adjutants Association
4
- 6 PM Chaplain's Seminar
8
- 11 PM Fun Night
Monday, August 11, 2014
8:00
AM Blind Chapter Installation Breakfast
Followed
By Blind Chapters Final Business Session
TBA
Special Joint Session
1
- 4 PM Seminars
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
9:00
AM DAV Third Business Session
1:30
PM DAV Final Business Session
6
- 11 PM Introduction of National Officers
Note: (Blind Chapter Delegates must attend all business Sessions
and committee assignments)
Letters requesting nominations for Convention Delegates will be
mailed out in late April.
DAV has been making historic strides in protecting the rights and
needs of our Veterans for close to 100 years. From the creation of the forerunner to the
Department of Veterans Affairs in the 1920s, to caring for the returning heroes from
BENEFITS OF USING
A WHITE CANE
·
Socially Accepted and Recognized
·
Safe travel - - - Makes you more
independent
·
Makes you more visible to cars and
pedestrians
·
Protection from injury or collisions
·
Explore (preview) walking surfaces in
front of you
·
Help with Stairs, Curbs, and Depth
Perception
·
Regain mobility
·
Gives you confidence
·
Travel in most environments with
formal Orientation & Mobility training
·
Folding Canes are easily collapsed and
stored when not in use
·
People understand why you may ask for
help in finding things
·
Without training
·
White Cane should only be used for
identification purposes
·
Formal training by an O & M
Specialist is strongly recommended for safe independent travel