the DAV and Membership

[DigitalDeath]

FYI...

The DAV worked my VA claim and when it was over I offered a donation. Since I was not eligible for membership ( not a combat vet ).

The NSO to my suprise said I was eligible, since I had a service connected rating. It did not have to be a combat related wound, as stated on the the DAV website

I told the NSO and state commander that they need to change the website. Everyone assumes the combat related wound is the criteria.

Turns out that the DAV's website is not correct, or they have relaxed membership requirements. Either way. They are hurting for members under the age of 60. And they are actually an organization that is all about helping veterans, that is all they do. Top notch and honorable veterans organization.

[CAL]

I'd be interested in hearing other opinions from those who have had experiences with the DAV.

[GM]

I'd be interested in hearing other opinions from those who have had experiences with the DAV.

Here's my experience Brother...
I've been donating $50-$100 every year for some time now and came very close to giving my time to help transport Vets for DAV but just recently I viewed a news artical on TV of the best Veterans organizaqtions to donate to and DAV was one of the worst! They, and others like them, keep almost 99% of donations for "administration cost" and little, if any goes for the Veterans... I now give my time and sometimes cash directly to Veterans in my AO that I feel can use my help. I will try to locate the info on Veterans "help" organizations that are ripping off Vets that need help and post the list when found.

[Recon133]

That's not good news. The DAV is one of the Vet Charities I give to every year. In fact I planned on sending the donation in Jan. May have to find another Vet charity to give to.

[GM]

Here's the info I viewed on abc News... Read the artical then check out the list... Maybe this should also be posted in the NEWS area.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/...g-to-serv.html

http://abcnews.go.com/images/Blotter..._v3_071109.pdf

Some are 100% for the Vets that are in need but some are in the charity business to make money and don't give a God Damn about the Veterans.

Shame on these bogus organizations that rip off those that defend freedom... I hope they all rot in hell!

Be sure to read this before you give your hard earned money!

[Darksaga]

I was able to join DAV as a lifetime member back in 96 and I wasn't a combat vet.

[DigitalDeath]

here is the cbsnews coverage,


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/...n3617186.shtml

What it boils down to with most of the larger veterans organizations is how do you classify "helping veterans". The DAV is one of the few big organizations that I do support. They don't run a bunch of bars across the country. Everything they do is free for veterans, whether you are a member or not, and it is alot more then just handling claims. ( they help disabled vets get jobs, give grants to veterans, recreation activities and training for disabled vets ).


Also the person that gave out the grades is trying to generate publicity. I have read 2 reports now.. one gives AER A+, the other says it stinks. So I question his grading system. Like the DAV has a 20% expense rate, that is actually not that bad, not a D rating.


I have had some experiences with the DAV. they never asked for a dime and didn't care if I were a member or not. Their advice and help was always right on target. And the only civilians they hire were the secretaries, other then that it was all veterans.

[blackflagg509]

I'd be interested in hearing other opinions from those who have had experiences with the DAV.

The DAV helped me with my claim on getting a reevaluation when the VA decided I wasn't as disabled as I was anymore so I went to the DAV who helped me get my Claim/Disabiltity rating raised. EvLong story short after an eval the VA decided to cut my disability in 1/2 which just wasn't going to fly. Even though I had to jump through the VA hoops and basically prove to it that I was in fact disabled still; I played it's games and after a 20 month wait I got a letter from my DAV NSO that they would be raising my %; what I wasn't told was that I would be getting one BIG FAT check for all the back pay that I was owed. Back then I was single still attending college and when I got that check one of the first things I did was buy a Life Membership in the DAV.

Matter of fact most of the members of the DAV are people who've been helped by the organization; which really does a great job helping us disabled vets deal with the bureaucratic BS that gets thrown at us by the VA. As a matter of fact the DAV organization itself is great helping us vets; it just sucks about the charity aspect of said organization. If you are elligible I strongly recommend that you join it, cause it really does help us vets disabled or not navigate through the VA jungle of BS.

There my commercial is done; whether you join or not is up to you, but I really recommend joining the DAV if you are elligible it helps all of us.

[Recon133]

One of the other Vet Chairites I give to is Paralyzed Vets, they had a rating of F. They are gone off my list. I will give the DAV the benefit of a doubt one more time. And will see what shakes.

[blackflagg509]

RJ, I bet the DAV Charities are probably run by ex-VA employees; and come on everything some of those fuckers touch, well you know..

[Recon133]

Yeah, I know. Shit you can't trust any of these charities any more. I also give to a couple children's hospitals and charities, now I am not sure if I should. When I worked at Cat, they took out a certain percentage of my salary each month for the United Way. I can only imagine how much of the money Cat employees donated to the United Way was used for non-charity purposes.