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In his 73 years, Jim Sursely personally touched the lives of thousands of veterans, their family members and survivors. And through his dedicated service, he inspired millions.
A native of Rochester, Minnesota, Jim enlisted in the Army in 1966. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served with the Americal Division’s 17th Armore...
Robert Sherman knew it was time to worry about himself after repeatedly putting it all on the line in Iraq.
Injured at war in Iraq, Robert Sherman didn’t dwell on his pain. “You just don’t think about it. You stay vigilant and make sure your Marines are accountable, and they all know what they&rs...
Navy veteran turns to DAV after VA proposes reduction of disability compensation
As a young sailor assigned to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, Jordan Schoof was expected to maintain peak physical fitness. But when he hurt his shoulder exercising on base, he thought the pain was muscle soreness that would eventua...
With everything that has gone on in the world, Air Force veteran Naomi Mathis has kept her eye on the important work of assisting veterans.
“I’ve been directly involved in assisting veterans to obtain the benefits that they have earned through their military service,” said Mathis.
Diligent i...
Eileen Murphy of Hunterdon County, New Jersey recently paid tribute to her late father-in-law by donating his 2003 Chevrolet Venture to DAV (Disabled American Veterans).
“He used it for gardening. He was an avid gardener,” said Ms. Murphy. “That van trucked around a lot of manure to grow giant tomatoes and such. That&...
While planning her legacy, Marge Barron, the widow of a wounded World War II veteran, was looking for “a good home” for her home. She then realized the answer was obvious: leave it to DAV through her will. She remembers the many times her husband spoke of the importance of the charity’s services.
Adam Arvizu learned at a young age the sacrifice and honor it takes to serve your country from his family. His father was an Army Vietnam veteran while his oldest brother served in the Air Force during the Gulf War. His second oldest brother also served in the Army National Guard and his brother-in-law served in the Navy Reserve. In 2001, the sa...
After years of service, many aging female veterans are living out their lives in veteran nursing homes. In their twilight years, DAV continues to honor the service and sacrifice of these women veterans—many of whom confronted great obstacles while serving their country.
Recently, the DAV Department of Pennsylvania Women Veterans...
Years after retirement, Marine colonel discovered an advocate who “truly understood”
After decades of service to his country, Retired Marine Col. David K. Hough was ready for a well-earned retirement. Eight years after his retirement, and after representation from other veteran service organizations, a...
In 1998, Eric Frohardt decided that he was going to become a Navy SEAL as he sat in his dorm room watching a movie about the famed warrior group. Someone bet him that he couldn’t, so he enlisted that same week.
“I enlisted in the Navy with the sole intention of becoming a Navy SEAL,” said Frohardt. “I was...
Deep bonds and diligent advocacy
Robert T. Jordan always wanted to be a Marine. Born during the Great Depression and growing up throughout World War II, he watched Marines return from the Pacific and admired their presence, which struck him as “proud, good people.”
During his junior ye...
As fires blazed through Oregon’s Beachie Creek, Marine Corps veteran Will Corrin and his wife, Katelyn, were evacuated from their new home. But it wasn’t long the Corrins were forced to evacuate once again, as flames spread toward them. This time, they sought safety in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Having served in the Marine Co...
After leaving the military, finding a job was a job in itself for veteran Courtney Smalls who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. As he transitioned to civilian life, many things were weighing on this veteran, but he soldiered on with determination.
“I had to endure losing my mother and grandmother within a 13-month period as well...
“The Battle Never Ends,” an hour-long documentary streaming on HISTORY Channel on-demand, is a chronological look back at DAV and its accomplishments throughout the past century. The film focuses on how DAV responded to the emerging needs of disabled veterans and their families during each of America’s military engage...
David Miles comes by his commitment to veterans quite naturally – it’s rooted in the deep pride he feels for his father who served 16 years in the Army as a Sergeant MP (Military Police), and experienced two tours in Korea before a service-related injury forced him into retirement.
“We’re real proud o...
