Department of Nevada

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The 2012 George H. Seal Memorial Awards and the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program announcements were mailed this month to all Department Commanders and Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Program Managers across the country. These awards are presented annually by the Disabled American Veterans in recognition of the extraordinary dedication of DAV and DAV Auxiliary and the outstanding young volunteers serving disabled veterans through the VAVS program.

Only DAV and DAV Auxiliary members enrolled as accredited VAVS volunteers are eligible for this prestigious award that will be presented to the two winners at our National Convention. Each winner receives a trophy replica, and their names are engraved on the George H. Seal Memorial Trophy, which is permanently displayed at our National Headquarters in Cold Spring, Kentucky. In addition, the VA medical facility represented by each winner is awarded a plaque, and all individual nominees receive an attractive Honorable Mention Certificate.

The award honors the memory and accomplishments of the late George H. Seal, a World War II combat-disabled paratrooper who made many significant contributions during his lengthy career as National Director of Membership and Voluntary Services, DAV's National VAVS Representative, and a member of the VAVS National Advisory Committee.

Department Commanders are encouraged to submit nominations for these awards. Submittal of nominations of a DAV or DAV Auxiliary volunteer must first be signed and certified by the Voluntary Service Program Manager at the VA facility where the candidate volunteers. Nominations must be received no later than February 27, 2012.

Go ahead and make a difference by helping that special volunteer to be recognized either through this national program or through your Department or Chapter.

The Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program was created to honor outstanding young volunteers who are active participants in the VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) program. The scholarships are awarded to deserving young men and women who have generously donated their time and compassion to sick and disabled veterans in their communities. We are deeply appreciative of Ford Motor Company for helping us recognize the thousands of hours these outstanding students have donated to care for and comfort disabled veterans. 2

Some of the benefits of volunteering at a local VA medical center may include: scholarships for college, job experience, healthcare career possibilities, providing assistance to hospitalized veterans, completing high school volunteerism requirements and community involvement.

 Scholarships can be used at any accredited institution of higher learning; to include universities, colleges, community colleges, vocational schools, etc.

 Scholarships must be utilized in full prior to the recipient attaining the age of 25, or within six years of receiving the scholarship, whichever is later.

 Nominations for this award may be submitted by the Voluntary Service Program Manager at a VA medical center, Departments, Chapters and other subordinate units, such as the Auxiliary, or the student may complete a self-nomination form which is available on-line. In addition, our Representatives and their Deputies and Hospital Chairpersons are also encouraged to submit a nomination.

 All nomination packets should include a nomination form, the student’s essay discussing "What volunteering has meant to me" (essay should be 750 words or less) and any supporting documentation which you would like to have considered by the Selection Committee.

 The application period for the 2012 Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program began on December 1, 2011 and will remain open until February 27, 2012.

You are urged to solicit recommendations and information from the VAMC Director, Service Managers and other staff members directly involved with the VAVS Program in your facilities for these very worthwhile awards. The Nomination and Essay Forms, which can be accessed on www.dav.org under Voluntary Services, should be completed and mailed to: Disabled American Veterans, National Headquarters, Voluntary Services Department, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076.

The 2012 DAV Transportation Network (TN) Van Grant Program application deadline was Friday, December 2, 2011. The Columbia Trust is in the process of reviewing all submitted applications. When the applications are approved, those Departments that have submitted applications will receive notification of van approval with further instructions.

The 26th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic (NDVWSC) will be held in Snowmass Village, Colorado, March 25 – 30, 2012.

As in the past, we are encouraging Departments, Chapters and Auxiliary Units to take part in the clinic by becoming a sponsor. For the past several years there have been some Departments, Chapters and individuals that have generously supported the clinic as sponsors, either as a clinic 3

sponsor or raising funds for a seriously disabled veteran who could benefit from this rehabilitative clinic.

There are many benefits of sponsorship. Sponsors make it possible for disabled veterans to experience the hope and renewal that the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic provides. The event is cosponsored by the Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, corporations, organizations and individuals who donate to the event and form a community of support financially and emotionally for our disabled heroes. They pitch in as volunteers and assist instructors. They bond with the veteran participants, cheering them on and presenting them with medals recognizing the accomplishments on the slopes that will give them a new and enduring outlook they will carry for the rest of their lives.