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Billy Kirby joined the Army in 1940 from Osage,...
While serving as a combat medic in the Army, Yusuf Henriques did tours in Korea, Germany and Bosnia before the severe wear and tear on his body—including knee injuries from jumping out of an aircraft, exposure to toxins and a traumatic brain injury (TBI)—forced him out of the job he loved and into civilian life. After leavi...
Army soldier Tyler Partridge giving a speech Every year during the holidays, many of our nation’s servic...
As the granddaughter of an Army veteran, Jackie Reau and her family highly value the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes. So, when the time came to decide what to do with her mom’s 1992 Chrysler LeBaron convertible, the DAV Vehicle Donation Program was her first choice. “I chose DAV because of...
As the daughter of a Korean War veteran, Bonnie Garafano knows the lasting impact of military service. It’s why she registered her American Heritage Girls troop to take part in DAV Field of Flags—a decision rooted in her desire to pass on values of service, gratitude and civic responsibility to...
When wildfires swept through Southern California in early 2025, they left a trail of devastation—claiming at least 30 lives and destroying thousands of homes—making it the
As a 19-year-old soldier, Ken David thrust into the crucible of Vietnam—an experience that would define the course of his life. During a fierce assault on the night of May 7, 1970, nearly 300 enemy fighters zeroed in on his platoon’s defensive perimeter. Almost immediately, David’s platoon leader was killed, and sever...
Combat-wounded Army veteran Latoya Lucas used to worry abo...
One night while scrolling through social media with her mother, 8-year-old Lorelei saw an ad that caught her attention. It was for DAV Field of Flags program, and from the moment Lorelei saw it, she felt it was her duty to bring a field of American flags to her community to honor the sacrifices of veterans.  “She said that s...
When Jacob Drost reflects on the life of his friend and fellow Ohio veteran, Ginger MacCutcheon, the legacy of service she has left behind is what stands out.  “Ginger’s life and legacy cannot be forgotten. Her journey was one of resilience and encouragement,” said Jacob, a benefits advocate who serves as the com...
Every now and then, Shoshana Johnson finds herself questioning whether she was worthy of being rescued. The Army veteran was part of a convoy ambushed in Iraq in March 2003. Seven soldiers, including Johnson, were captured, while 11 others were killed.   “There’s a lot of guilt in surviving,” Johnson said. &ldquo...
Dan Clare was only weeks into his enlistment with the Air National Guard when his life changed completely. When the United States was attacked on 9/11, he was called to duty to assist first responders.  “I flew with the FEMA teams to New York that night. It was something that I was proud to be a part of,” said Clare. &...
When David Petersen and his wife begin planning for the holidays, it usually means finding cross-country routes to visit family. As a Marine veteran, Petersen is no stranger to holiday travel. But memories of holidays from his time on deployment are quite different from his celebrations at home.  Though his deployments were often...
What veterans and their spouses need to know about Medicare coverage If you are one of 8.3 million veterans in the United States age 65 or older or the spouse of a veteran, you may have questions about healthcare...