A New Fiscal Year of Service: Our Commitment to Louisiana's Veterans

Message from the Department Commander 

Fellow DAV Louisiana members and advocates,

As we embark on a new fiscal year, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for your unwavering dedication to our mission. Your membership in DAV Louisiana represents more than organizational affiliation—it embodies a sacred commitment to ensuring no veteran walks alone in their journey toward meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Our Foundation of Service

The strength of our organization lies not in numbers alone, but in the depth of our commitment to comprehensive veteran support. Each of you serves as a vital link in our network of care, advocacy, and brotherhood that spans across Louisiana's diverse communities.

A Call to Action: The Buddy Check Initiative

In the spirit of the military tradition of never leaving a fellow service member behind, I challenge each of you to conduct regular buddy checks within your circles. Reach out to veterans you haven't heard from recently. A simple phone call, text message, or visit can provide the connection that transforms isolation into community.

These wellness checks serve multiple purposes:

• Immediate Support: Identifying veterans who may need assistance with benefits, healthcare, or basic needs

• Community Building: Strengthening the bonds that make our veteran community resilient

• Early Intervention: Connecting struggling veterans with resources before challenges become crises

Expanding Our Circle of Support

While I'm proud to announce that our Department has already achieved our membership goals for this fiscal year, our mission extends beyond numerical targets. We seek to welcome new members who can benefit from our comprehensive support services and those who bring valuable perspectives and skills to strengthen our organization.

I encourage you to extend invitations to veterans in your communities who may not yet belong to any veteran service organization. Invite them to visit your local chapters, not merely as a recruitment effort, but as an opportunity to:

• Demonstrate the camaraderie and support available within our DAV family

• Share information about benefits navigation and advocacy services

• Offer pathways for meaningful service to fellow veterans

Our Ongoing Mission

Our work transcends organizational boundaries. We are united in our commitment to:

• Advocacy: Ensuring veterans receive the benefits and recognition they have earned

• Support: Providing comprehensive assistance for veterans and their families

• Community: Building networks of mutual support and understanding

• Service: Continuing our tradition of service beyond military discharge

Moving Forward Together

As we progress through this fiscal year, remember that your service to our country continues through your service to fellow veterans. Each interaction, each buddy check, each moment of advocacy contributes to a legacy of honor and mutual support that defines the veteran community.

Leadership Accessibility

Our leadership team remains committed to open communication and responsive support. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas for better serving Louisiana's veterans, please do not hesitate to reach out. Your insights and feedback drive our continuous improvement and program evolution.

In closing, I thank you once again for your service to our nation and your continued dedication to our veteran community. Together, we will ensure that every veteran in Louisiana knows they are valued, supported, and never forgotten.

For questions or additional information, please contact the Department headquarters.

Respectfully submitted,

Al Leger 

Department Commander   

DAV Louisiana