Lynn Helms Prosser, Auxiliary National Commander

Building community

After more than a year of isolated living, it was an incredible experience to once again join forces with so many of you at our national convention in Tampa. We had a fantastic response for this year’s event, which I think demonstrates just how important connectedness is for veterans.

This year, many Auxiliary members were on hand for a very special event leading up to our traditional convention activities—the DAV Day of Inspiration, which featured an exciting lineup of speakers who made for a truly moving and uplifting occasion.

The event featured former Army Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta, the first living post-9/11 Medal of Honor recipient; retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Aubrey McDade Jr., a Navy Cross recipient; former Army Staff Sgt. Larry Broughton, famed author and entrepreneur; and retired Air Force Maj. Brian Shul, who was shot down in Vietnam after flying more than 200 combat missions and, remarkably, returned to flying in the wake of the crash.

The speakers all had tremendous stories to tell about their service, their lives and their resilience, and I am grateful they took the time to share their experiences and time with DAV and Auxiliary members, as well as local veterans and their family members and caregivers in the Tampa area.

You can read more about the event on Page 14, but I will say the event was an incredible way to connect veterans to DAV’s mission in a unique and powerful way. And through media partner Military Times, the Day of Inspiration reached many more veterans across the country.

It’s important that every veteran knows we have their backs. As members of veteran families, we know the importance of community among those who honor service. By inviting new veterans and their families and caregivers to experience the Day of Inspiration, introducing them to DAV and sharing stories that may encourage them to pursue their dreams and make the most of every opportunity in front of them, we hope to help them reach new heights in their own lives.

For those of you who were able to experience the event either in person or online, I hope it will help you consider how you can reach out to new groups of veterans and family members to share DAV’s sense of community and kinship.

After the past year, it’s incredibly important that we begin to reach out to veterans and let them know we are here for them and their families. The DAV Day of Inspiration doesn’t have to be a one-time event. You can inspire veterans and their supporters right in your own community.