National Commander

Melissa Pierce, Auxiliary National Commander

Our strength is in service

As we welcome the change of season, our organization is infused with renewed energy and purpose. March and April mark a critical period  for the DAVAuxiliary as we ramp up our spring projects and prepare to celebrate National Volunteer Month in April. This time offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on the commitment that unites us: our unwavering devotion to disabled veterans and their families.

The DAV Auxiliary mission is carried out through service, and the thousands of hours you contribute across the nation are truly priceless. Whether you’re serving in a Department of Veterans Affairs facility, organizing a local fundraiser or comforting a veteran’s spouse, your time is the foundation of our mission. I urge you to visit volunteerforveterans.org to ensure you log your hours and credit them to DAV or the Auxiliary.

This April, I call on every unit to embrace the #DAVAImpact250 challenge. This nationwide campaign challenges us to meet our collective goal of honoring veterans as we approach our nation’s 250th birthday. If you haven’t visited your local VA medical center recently, please connect with a volunteer representative and step forward. Even simple gestures, like sharing a coffee or reading to a patient, bring light to those who have sacrificed so much.

Our service also reaches into the halls of Congress. I’m proud of our recent legislative efforts, where our delegation advocated for critical issues like caregiver support and improved benefits for toxic-exposed veterans. However, the fight is continuous. We must maintain pressure to ensure Congress fully funds the VA and protects the hard-earned benefits of our nation’s heroes.

I urge every member to sign up for DAV CAN (Commander’s Action Network) alerts at davcan.org. When you receive an alert, please take five minutes to contact your elected officials. Your voice, multiplied by the thousands, is the most powerful tool we have.

Finally, the effectiveness of our advocacy relies on the size and spirit of our membership. I challenge every member to “just ask.” Ask an eligible family member to join our ranks, and encourage our junior members to become more active; they’re our future leaders. The more members we have, the louder our voice becomes.

Thank you for your fierce loyalty and compassionate service. Together, we’ll continue to fulfill our promise to heal, help and hold the line for the veterans counting on us.