Melanie Rino

ENGL 2010
Jennifer Courtney
FIRST DRAFT
Disabled American Veterans
What is a veteran? A veteran is a person who has a lengthy experience in a specific field,
but is also a person who has served in the military. Some of these individuals return home from
the military with injuries, illnesses or worse death. These veterans are served by the Disabled
American Veterans (DAV).
Who is the DAV? The DAV was formerly known as DAVWW (Disabled American
Veterans of the World War). Following World War I many veterans returned home with injuries
or illnesses. More than 4.7 million Americans served in the war, of those individuals 53,500 died
in combat while 204,000 returned wounded and another 63,000 died as a result of illness or
injury( ). Upon arriving home, the government was not prepared to assist those returning. Many
veterans were unemployed or needed medical treatment. Many disable veterans had difficulty
finding employment, it was challenging getting a job when handicapped due to the prejudice
veterans were facing.
One particular group, the Ohio Mechanic Institute Disabled Soldiers (OMIDS) pursued
help from other disabled veterans with more influence. One of these influential members was
Judge Robert S Marx. Several meetings were held in Judge Marx office with the OMIDS and a
group of disabled veterans from the University of Cincinnati. On May 21, 1920 a meeting was

held at Memorial Hall where Judge Marx shared the information that 741,000 disabled veterans
were eligible for membership. The DAV purpose is to build better lives for all of our nations
disabled veterans and their families. Although the DAV was initially set up on May 21st, the first
national caucus was held September 25, 1920. Approximately 250 individuals were present for
this caucus, at this time the DAV divided into a national organization with state departments and
local chapters.
DAV has helped disabled veterans and their families over the years in many ways, at
times it has been difficult getting funding to support these veterans but they have succeeded.
From the first National Convention in 1921 membership has grown exponentially. The DAV
assists veterans in many ways from assisting in travel to medical appointments, benefit claims,
unemployment and being a voice for veterans to the government and helping change policies.
The University of Utah also has a Veteran Commemoration event to bring more light to
veterans in Utah. This event is held every year on November 11th. Any civilian is encouraged to
nominate a Utah veteran to be honored at this event. All veterans nominated are considered,
however special attention will be given to the veterans who were in harms way. Only 11 veterans
will be chosen and will receive a commemoration medallion and recognition at the ceremony ().
This event is an all day affair, including a panel discussion, 21 cannon salute, an award ceremony
and a concert ().
In conclusion since the DAV was founded they have come a long way in assisting
disabled veterans and their families. Also the community is also supporting their veterans and
commemorating the service that they have provided to the country.

Works Cited
DAV. DAV. Web. 21 Sep 2016.
University of Utah to Celebrate Veterans. Deseret News. Nov. 09 2014. ProQuest Newsstand.
Web. 21 Sep.2016. http://search.proquest.com/docview/121885773?accountid=28671.
U Seeks Nominations for Veterans to Honor. Deseret News. Apr 09 2015. ProQuest
Newsstand. Web. 21 Sep. 2016. http://search.proquest.com/docview/1671173977?
accountid=28671.
Veterans Day Commemoration the University of Utah. The University of Utah, 2016.Web. 17
Sep. 2016.
Wilborn, Thomas L., David E. Autry, Gary Weaver, and Thomas K. Keller, eds. Wars and Scars:
The Story of Compassion and Service for our Nations Disabled Veterans. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.
https://www.dav.org/learn-more/about-dav/history/