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About DAV Department of Virginia

The Disabled American Veterans, Department of Virginia, is a dedicated nonprofit organization founded to serve, empower, and advocate for Virginia’s wounded, injured, and disabled veterans and their families. Upholding both the Constitution of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, our department is committed to advancing the interests and well-being of every veteran who has sacrificed for our nation.

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Rooted in a long legacy of service since its establishment, DAV Virginia provides a comprehensive range of programs including benefits counseling, claims assistance, career resources, and legislative advocacy. Our team of experienced and compassionate volunteers—many of whom are disabled veterans themselves—offer guidance to veterans navigating federal and state benefits, transitioning to civilian life, and accessing vital resources. We also actively support widows, orphans, and dependents of disabled veterans.

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DAV Virginia works closely with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, state and local agencies, and a variety of public and private partners. Through statewide outreach, legislative efforts, and community engagement, we strive to ensure every disabled veteran receives the support, recognition, and opportunities they have earned. Our vision is one of hope, advocacy, and service—encouraging the spirit of understanding and unity that safeguards the freedoms for which our members and their families have given so much.

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No part of DAV’s net earnings benefits private individuals; all resources are dedicated to fulfilling our charitable mission and supporting veterans in need. Together, we work to make a difference—one veteran at a time.

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DAV’s Mission Statement

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We are dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

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This mission is carried forward by:

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  • Providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies of government.

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  • Providing outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their families specifically.

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  • Representing the interests of disabled veterans, their families, their widowed spouses and their orphans before Congress, the White House and the Judicial Branch, as well as state and local government.

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  • Extending DAV’s mission of hope into the communities where these veterans and their families live through a network of state-level Departments and local Chapters.

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  • Providing a structure through which disabled veterans can express their compassion for their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer programs.

Past Department Commanders

1932 to present

Term

1932 - 1933
1933 - 1934
1934 - 1935
1935 - 1936
1936 - 1937
1937 - 1938
1938 - 1939
1939 - 1940
1940 - 1941
1941 - 1942
1942 - 1943
1943 - 1944

1944 - 1945
1945 - 1946
1946 - 1947
1947 - 1948
1948 -1949
1949 - 1950
1950 - 1951
1951 - 1952
1952 - 1953
1953 - 1954
1954 - 1955
1955 - 1956
1956 - 1957
1957 - 1958
1958 - 1959
1959 - 1960
1960 - 1961
1961 - 1962
1962 - 1963
1963 - 1964
1964 - 1965
1965 - 1966
1966 - 1967
1967 - 1968
1968 - 1969
1969 - 1970
1970 - 1971
1971 - 1972
1972 - 1973
1973 - 1974
1974 - 1975
1975 - 1976
1976 - 1977
1977 - 1978
1978 - 1979
1979 - 1980
1980 - 1981
1981 - 1982
1982 - 1983
1983 - 1984
1984 - 1985
1985 - 1986
1986 - 1987
1987 - 1988
1988 - 1989
1989 - 1990
1990 - 1991
1991 - 1992
1992 - 1993
1993 - 1994
1994 - 1995
1995 - 1996
1996 - 1997
1997 - 1998
1998 - 1999
1999 - 2000
2000 - 2001
2001 - 2002
2002 - 2003
2003 - 2004
2004 - 2005
2005 - 2006
2006 - 2007
2007
2008
2008 - 2009
2009 - 2010
2010 - 2011
2011 - 2012
2012 - 2013
2013 - 2014
2014 - 2015
2015 - 2016
2016 - 2017
2017 - 2018
2018 - 2019
2019 - 2020
2020 - 2021
2021 - 2022
2022 - 2023
2023 - 2024
2024 - 2025
2025 - 2026

 

Commander

Walter F. Loflin
W. E. Fasnacht
Alexander M. Bellony 
Alexander M. Bellony 
Malcom G. Robinson
Frank C. Hickman
Stephen J. Higgins
C. E. Reynolds
Harry L. Witmer
Frank C. Hickman
Harry L. Witmer
Harry L. Witmer
Bernard L. Hines
C. E. Reynolds
J. M. Arnold
John J. Quinn
Hubert H. McKenzie
Walter Sanford
Richard Ivens
John Basara
John White
Thomas E. Warrington
Melvin Cox
Arnold H.Sells
Lewis Dilda
Martha J. McDowall
Charles Nightingale
John G. Hammer
Curtis R. Beverly
C. Elmo Lang
Clarence R. "Sandy" Leake
Thomas A. Mizell
George C. Washington
C. Douglas Miley
Lewis P. Parker
William M. Berg
William M. Berg
Roy J. Mitchell
Leonard F. Anglin
Alan T. Davis
Dewey P. Martin
Daniel F. Kennedy
Arthur Nikas
Russell . Henderson
Edward Smith, Jr.
William D. Wiggins, Jr.
William L. McCauley
James T. Haley
Carl W. Bryan
Warren L. Waters
Raymond Evans, Jr.
Alfred E. Melton
Andrew J. Shields
William M. Randolph, Sr.
Raleigh D. Shortt
Chester E. Piekielniak
Sloan Hoopes
Edwin Hornby
Edwin Hornby
John J. Mechtel
Robert D. Cox
Joseph Reeves
Sidney J. Stanley
Alfred E. Melton
June R. Springer
James K. Klem
Robert T. Reynolds
Stephen D. Perkins
Charles W. Craft
Enid B. Zysk
Daniel T. Miller
Rita E. Aberegg
Marshall Harless, Sr.
Perry W. Johnson
Mary H. Beamer
Sarah V. Costa
Terrell Wheeler
Terrell Wheeler
David Cuff
Clarence Woods
Cynthia Madison
Allan McCroskey
John W. King
James A. Procunier
Frank Brown, Jr.
James M. Walton
Denice Williams
Lisa Gregory
Lisa Gregory
John Simmons
Cynthia Bailey
Francis Mitchell
Wilton King
Richard Lehmann
Dwayne Ramey

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