Navigating the transition from military service to civilian life is not always easy. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will have a representative at the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas on Tuesday.
DAV is an organization that believes no veteran should have to go it alone, and provides support for all veterans and their families in positive, life-changing ways.
“DAV helps veterans with benefits, the VA, disability plates, getting medical records [and] getting DD 214s (certificate of discharge from active duty),” H.E.A.R.T.S. Administrative Assistant Tara Burnett said. “That’s their focus—records and guiding you through the process.”
According to Burnett, there are nearly 8,000 veterans in Walker County and almost 1,000 veterans attending classes at Sam Houston State University on the G.I. Bill, and both veteran populations are growing steadily.
“Our goal here is to honor our veterans, and part of the way we do that is to help them any way we can, so having DAV here has been extremely beneficial to everyone,” Burnett said.
DAV works to ensure that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits they deserve, provides care and support during tough times, advocates for the veteran community on Capitol Hill and connects veterans with meaningful employment.
“Last month was our first time to do it, and we had over 40 veterans here,” Burnett said. “We hope that we flood out the museum, and eventually we’ll have to have it next door in the storm shelter.”
DAV helps more than 1 million veterans every year connect with the healthcare, disability, employment, education and financial benefits they have earned, and have submitted more than 11 million claims on behalf of veterans.
They provide free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service. Those who need help can contact the H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum or their local DAV office.