Our Mission: Fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.
July 2019 Newsletter
Chapter Commander Tom Wendel
Greetings! Welcome to Chapter 10's July Newsletter. For the first time in many years, Chapter 10 has met and exceeded our annual Membership Goal, over 200 new members. A special thanks to our National Service Officers for their recruitment efforts. Thank you to our members and welcome to our newest members. Our united voices make a difference on so many levels, so thanks again for being a member of DAV Chapter 10.

We hope to see you at several of our upcoming events. We will be hosting a DAV Information Seminar on Saturday July 27th, so Chapter 10 will not be meeting in July! If you are not able to make the Information Seminar on July 27th, please reach out to the professional DAV National Service Officers in Roanoke or Washington DC, Click Here!
News You Need to Know
New Urgent Care Benefit as part of the MISSION ACT
As part of the VA MISSION ACT for Community Care, VA now offers an urgent care benefit that provides eligible veterans with greater choice and access to timely, high-quality care. Urgent care providers treat injuries and illnesses that require immediate attention, but are not life-threatening. To be eligible for urgent care, veterans must be at least 10 percent or more and:

  • Be enrolled in the VA health care system AND
  • Have received care through VA from either a VA or community provider within the past 24 months

Veterans may use this benefit three times a year without being charged a co-pay. When using the urgent care benefit, Veterans must go to an urgent care provider in VA’s network. Upon arriving, Veterans must state they are using their VA urgent care benefit. The urgent care provider will verify the Veteran’s eligibility before providing care. To learn more about this new program, Click Here! Also check out the short video below that explains the program.
HR 299, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act Becomes Law
Passage of this law is a pivotal victory for Vietnam veterans who have not only suffered for decades from illnesses and diseases linked to exposure to Agent Orange, but who also felt that their service and suffering had long gone unacknowledged by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The new law also grants an earlier date of exposure to Agent Orange on the Korean DMZ and provides benefits to children with spina bifida of veterans who served in Thailand. To read National Commander Dennis Nixon's statement,   Click Here!
Upcoming Events
Join Us and Volunteer to clean the AVDL Memorial Saturday July 13th
Although the water main issue has yet to be resolved at the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, Chapter 10 will be volunteering to clean the Memorial on Saturday July 13th, from 7 am to 8:30. We need approximately 15 volunteers. The Memorial is located at 150 Washington St, SW, Washington. Remember, there are no bathrooms on site. Please register with us if you plan on volunteering on Saturday , Click Here!
Chapter 10 Hosting DAV NSO Information Seminar July 27, 2019
On Saturday July 27, 2019, Chapter 10 will be providing a presentation on VA benefits from 9:30 to 11 am followed by individual claims assistance from 11:30 am to 3 pm. The VA's Board of Veterans Appeals will be also be presenting information on the Appeals Modernization Act. The Seminar will be at the Fairfax County Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035.
The Fairfax County Government Center Building is handicap accessible. Special accommodations will be provided upon request. For general ADA questions or information, please contact the Fairfax County Office of the Equity Programs at 324-2953/ TTY 711.
Veterans and the Arts Initiative from George Mason University
George Mason, through the Hylton Performing Arts Center, is continuing their Veterans and Arts Initiative by offering Ukulele Workshops with Glen McCarthy. If you have ever wanted to try your hand at the tiny, musical marvel that is the ukulele, now is your chance! The Veterans and the Arts Initiative is offering the Veteran community the opportunity to participate in one of two sessions in August. Musicians of all skill levels are invited. 

Sessions are FREE to veterans, servicemembers, their families, and military caregivers . Instruments will be provided for participants to borrow during the sessions. Session I is August 6 & 8 and Session II is August 27 and 29. As space is limited, don't delay and register today, Click Here! The Hylton Performing Arts Center is at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110. To learn more about the Veterans and Arts Initiative, Click Here!
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:


Chapter 10 Updates
DAV Virginia's Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year
Chapter 10 Commander Tom Wendel was presented with the DAV Department of Virginia Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year Award for 2018-2019. Tom received the award at the June DAV Virginia Convention in Roanoke. He was recognized for his efforts assuming Chapter 10's leadership, his efforts in Membership recruitment, community outreach, and his role as the Department Benefits Protection Team Leader (BPTL). As the BPTL, Tom writes and publishes a monthly newsletter for all of the Chapters in Virginia. Chapter 10 is extremely proud of Tom and fortunate to have his leadership. Congrats Commander!
DAV Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award
Three years ago, we lost our Chapter Adjutant John Maki. However, John's legacy is still impacting our Chapter and even the DAV Department of Virginia. In June, John was posthumously presented the DAV Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award.   To many members of Chapter 10 and the DAV Department of Virginia, John was more than a fellow member and veteran. He was a leader, mentor, a comrade in service, an example, and most importantly, a friend. 
Virginia Outstanding Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Award
At the DAV Department of Virginia June Convention, Ranger James Pierce was presented the DAV Department of Virginia Outstanding Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Award. Ranger Pierce is a combat wounded Army veteran and member of DAV Chapter 10. He leads the Park's Volunteer program and is instrumental in the cleaning of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. He was presented the award by the DAV Department of Virginia Commander Lisa Gregory with Chapter 10 Commander Tom Wendel and Adjutant Shane Liermann.
Chapter 10 Donates $400
At the June Chapter Meeting, Chapter 10 approved four separate $100 donations to the DAV Department of Virginia. The donations were made to the DAV Virginia Women Veterans Committee, the Homeless Veterans Committee, the Emergency Relief Committee and the Department Service Commission.
Chaplain Rev. John Hoffmann
As your Chaplain, I am available if you are in need of prayer or just need to talk. 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
Congrats to Commander Wendel and Ranger Pierce for their awards and we thank them for their selfless contributions. Also a very fitting tribute to our friend John Maki.

Don't forget to log your LVAP Hours for July 2019, Click Here! Thank you for being involved with DAV Chapter 10 and we appreciate all you do for veterans every day. We hope to see you Saturday July 13th for the Memorial Cleaning.