Our Mission: Fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.
May 2019 Newsletter
Chapter Commander Tom Wendel
Greetings! Welcome to Chapter 10's May Newsletter. Happy Mothers Day to all of our Women Veterans, Gold Star and Military Moms.

Did you know that Military Moms changed the history of Mother's Day? Although the day started in 1908, WWI significantly impacted Mother's Day forever. There were many efforts for US Military men to acknowledge their mothers to include letter writing campaigns. General "Black Jack" Pershing declared on May 8, 1918, “I wish that every officer and soldier would write a letter home on Mother’s Day. This is a little thing for each one to do, but these letters will carry back our courage and our affection to the patriotic women whose love and prayers inspire us and cheer us on to victory.”

With more than 116,000 Americans who died from disease or in combat during that conflict, the Great War also led to the formation of the American Gold Star Mothers organization, to support mothers of the fallen. Again, Happy Mother's Day to all and lets never forget those who lost their loved ones while in service of this grateful nation.
News You Need to Know
Dire Need for Volunteer Drivers at the Washington DC VAMC
Each week, veterans are getting their appointments cancelled or rescheduled due to a lack to transportation. Please consider being a volunteer driver and get our fellow veterans to their medical appointments.
The DAV Transportation Network at the Washington DC VA Medical Center is in urgent need of volunteer drivers.  You do not have to be a DAV member or a veteran to volunteer! The DC VAMC Voluntary Service office is available at 202-745-8320 to answer any questions. To learn more,  Click Here!
Upcoming Volunteer Events at AVDL Memorial Cancelled
Due to a water main issue at the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, the National Park Service has cancelled all upcoming volunteer cleaning events. Once all issues have been resolved, we will announce the next cleaning date. We are sorry for the cancellation, but encourage you to keep your eye out for the next volunteer event.
DAV Employment Resources
DAV recognizes the value, talent, education and work ethics that veterans add to the workforce.  T o learn more about DAV's employment resources for veterans, Click Here! 
DAV has partnered with Recruit Military to bring live Job Fairs as well as Virtual events to veterans and their spouses. Check out the events below by clicking the links:

Upcoming Events
Virginia Women Veterans Summit May 16-17 in Hampton
Hosted by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) in partnership with premier sponsor, Cox Communications, the theme of this sixth annual summit is “Empowered: Virginia Women Veterans Lead The Way.” The program kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 16 and concludes at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17. Included are presentations on a wide variety of topics of interest to Virginia’s growing women veteran segment such as career strategies, education, entrepreneurship, finance, personal health and wellness, workplace fashion, and more. T o register and learn more, Click Here!
Chapter 10 Meeting on Saturday May 18
DAV Arlington-Fairfax Chapter 10 will be meeting on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at 10 am. We meet at the American Legion Post #177, 3939 Oak St, Fairfax. We have our Installation of Officers Ceremony and Commander Wendel will be making his appointments for the upcoming year.

Service Officers WILL NOT BE available after the meeting , if you need immediate assistance, please reach out to the professional DAV National Service Officers in Roanoke or Washington DC. For their contact information, Click Here!
Chapter 10's On-Line Benefits Information Series May 22nd
Last month, Chapter 10 introduced our new On-Line Benefits Information Series. This month we will be discussing Survivor's benefits such as Dependent's Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and non-service-connected death pension. We suggest that veterans and their spouses attend this training. We will be recording this event and posting on our website. On Wednesday May 22, 2019 at 7 pm, we will be providing this benefits information online. To RSVP for the event, Click Here! We will be providing the access information on May 13th to all who RSVP.
National Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington
The National Memorial Day Ceremony will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday May 27th, at 11 am. It is open to the public and draws around 5000 in attendance. Get there early, consider taking the Metro, and check out DAV Chapter 10 there representing DAV. To learn more, Click Here!
Legislative Updates
DAV on the Hill and before Congress
Over the course of the past few weeks, DAV;s National Legislative Staff provided testimony before Congress at a variety of hearings and on a variety of topics. To view all of DAV's written testimony, Click Here! To view the recent testimonies, click the links below.




The DAV Commanders Action Network (DAV CAN)
Sign up for the DAV CAN (Commander’s Action Network) today to help protect the earned benefits of ill and injured veterans and their families. By becoming an advocate, you can help inform lawmakers about the important issues and challenges veterans face every day. You will receive alerts and updates on key legislative issues directly impacting and affecting the veteran community. Your personal involvement is critical, and increases the effectiveness of our advocacy mission in order to fulfil our promises to the men and women who served.
Chapter 10 Updates
Chapter 10 Chaplain Rev. John Hoffmann
As your Chaplain, I am available if you are in need of prayer or just need someone to talk to, please give me a call or send me an email. If you become homebound or hospitalized, please let me know. To send me an email, Click Here!  My phone number is 703-508-0200.    
Chapter 10 Adjutant Shane Liermann
At our May 18th Meeting, we will be holding our Installation Ceremony and introducing some additional resolutions for consideration. Service Officers will not be available at the meeting.

We hope to see you at our upcoming Meeting on May 18th and at our On-Line Benefits Information Series on May 22nd.

 Over the past few weeks, we have made some major changes and updates to our Chapter website. If you have not seen our website recently, please check it out and let us know what you think!