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After her service in the Marine Corps, Arella Aleman wasn’t sure what her next steps should be. She was interested in technology, so she began searching for information on a career in cybersecurity. Arella soon learned that she would need to take classes to qualify for a job in that field.  “I started online coursework...
Whether it’s front, side or roundhouse kicks, Hamilton-Fairfield Taekwondo in Fairfield, Ohio, has been breaking boards since 1983.  But for t...
Veterans often reflect on the close friendships forged throughout their time in service. Whether they enlisted around the same time, trained side by side, or engaged in combat together, many say that there is no greater comfort than having a trusted comrade next to you. Yet a disabled veteran’s family and friends who have only kn...
Levi Glazer is not your typical California teen. While he loves to surf and is hoping to get into the engineering program at the University of California, Berkeley, there is more to him than meets the eye. Levi ascribes to “tikkun olam”—or “repairing the world”—an important value to his Jewish faith....
As we draw closer to the April tax filing deadline, if you’ve donated a car to DAV, you may be evaluating if you have all of your tax receipts in order. Among the most popular questions from donors are: “How do I get another copy of my tax receipt?” and “What is a 1098c form?” This article outlines general...
Tap into multiple tax deduction benefits through a real estate donation to veterans instead of dealing with the headache of hefty taxes that comes with selling your property.  From bypassing capital gains tax to increasing your retirement income, you have a lot to gain by
Since 1920, DAV has been a large part of “tikkun olam” (Hebrew for the Jewish value of repairing the world) by answering the call to care and advocate for wounded veterans and their families.  Yet when veterans become homeless, they can lose all sense of respect and dignity, as others often do not recognize the rocky p...
What is Military Sexual Trauma? Military Sexual Trauma (MST) refers to a service member’s experience with sexual assault or sexual harassment occurring at any point during his or her military service. The first time DAV benefits advocate Naomi Mathis saw Army veteran Migdalia Griswold’s...
Army veteran Mark Nehls served his country while stationed at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras. He was assigned to the 555th Military Police Company. After Mark’s discharge from the military, he received help from a couple of DAV benefits advocates in filing his benefits claim. That’s when Mark decided to join DAV.
Army veteran and DAV member Alex Hussey was severely disabled after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Aug. 7, 2012. Alex sustained a traumatic brain injury and lost both legs, most of his left hand and part of his right hand. His then-fiancée, Kim, wasn’t sure if he’d survive, let alone ev...
Today, women are serving in the military in record numbers, representing more than 16% of active-duty military and 10% of veterans. "We want to continue driving meaningful reform to ensure all veterans have equitable access to the benefits and services they have earned," said Joy J. Ilem, DAV’...
Jennifer Alvarado joined the Navy in 2001 to serve as a hospital corpsman. Unfortunately, Jennifer experienced military sexual trauma (MST) during her time of service, yet she tried her best to keep going. “The Navy instilled in me honor, courage and commitment. And, I don’t know how to move anywhere other than forward...
In 2003, Army veteran Mark Jackson deployed to Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2) in Uzbekistan. “The very first thing I write about is my throat and my eyes stinging from …...
On September 11, 2001, Carmen McGinnis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. The events of that morning did not deter her. She proudly served her country in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  "Unfortunately, my time in the service was marred by the dishonorable actions of another. I...
Home is meant to be a place of safety and rest.  Family and friends gather together, making memories during special occasions—birthdays, holidays, graduation celebrations or just for fun. But what happens when a family loses everything due to a disaster? For veterans who are disabled as a result of their military s...