They Fancy: New DAV Headquarters Sure Is Nice
While rolling through Kentucky on the way to Cincinnati, today, we had a chance to swing by the new DAV headquarters (short for Disabled American Veterans).
I’ve been a lifetime member of DAV for almost two decades now – I’m that old.
The new DAV headquarters, located in Erlanger, Kentucky, opened during the lockdown summer 2021. That was peek VA closure where many veterans struggled contacting a VSO in person.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and stay up to date.
Why? The Department of Veterans Affairs closed down many of its locations. Veterans previously relied on in-person appointments to get help with benefits. When the Regional Office locations closed, many veterans went without help for well over a year.
Anyway, during that time, DAV was able to complete its headquarters construction. The building looks quite slick and modern from the highway. Of course, I had to go check it out being an architectural enthusiast.
According to a presser on the opening:
The new headquarters will cover 67,000-square-feet. DAV expects to move an estimated 175 employees into the new headquarters, which is under construction on Dolwick Drive, by the summer of 2021.
Northern Kentucky Tri-ED worked with DAV as it considered a new location and is grateful the company is staying in the region.
“We are thrilled Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chose to stay in Northern Kentucky and found an ideal, highly visible location in the City of Erlanger,” said Lee Crume, President & CEO of Tri-ED. “Northern Kentucky Tri-ED provided assistance to DAV as they considered a new corporate headquarters location in the Cincinnati region. We encourage companies in our region to reach out to us as they are considering expansions or new investments so we can support them through their decision-making process.”
Appealing Without A VSO
The lockdowns were brutal for veterans fighting for benefits.
VA changed a bunch of its policies right as the country shut down and even removed its disability benefits questionnaires from the website. The agency then postponed disability exams for veterans needing to see an examiner in person. Veterans wanting free help VSOs offer were frequently unable to contact a VSO when the VA closed its doors.
Where you affected? If yes, what happened after you could not get VSO help?
On Being A DAV Lifetime Member
I’ve been a lifetime member of DAV for around two decades – way back before I became an attorney.
A County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) suggested I join DAV and implied I would receive special help if I became a member. “We take care of our own,” or something like that.
Did I get special help?
No, I doubt the help I received was any different than non-members, which I actually think is a good thing.
I did later use DAV a couple times and interacted with various National Service Officers (NSOs). This was back when you could not pick your NSO – it was based on your name or social or something like that.
The help I did receive was superior to other VSOs likely because of their advanced 18-month training. Veteran Readiness and Employment helps fund the training for disabled veterans wanting to become an NSO.
Curious about your experience. Do you have a favorite VSO or VSO story?
The DAV in my case was worthless. I have been a lifetime member fir a round 20 years also. My rep right before an appeal hearing said tour going to lose. In the hearing he did not present my case. So I toke over the my case after 1/4 into the hearing. I lose on appeal but won because the appellate court remanded my case. That was Waco. And in Forth Worth wanted the Rep to summit evidence he refused he said they will get it. So I sent it in myself. I try to get help here in Philippines from the DAV to get my case moved here because VA Waco keep trying to give me a C&P exam there. DAV rep said he would not help unless I switched to this group. I had lost my card .
Benjamin,
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the DAV along with the service organizations should be relocated to mainland China. Because the modality and the delivery are not symbolic of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Veterans at all functioning levels should consider becoming engineers, physicians, and attorneys. Problems are not solved under Social organizations or within the federal government. Only redistribution of money happens in the government and social programs. Sometimes legislation may happen that may benefit the population but most of the time it is about population control.
Ask yourself a question…If all these organizations (DAV, Wounded Warriors, etc.) have been around for years, then why do veterans have to struggle with the VA?
Answer: It’s because (IMO) these organizations are so-called “non-profits” are controlled opposition – where they are in bed with the government in exchange to get rich off of untaxed “Administrative Overhead” to run their (alleged) “non-profits”.
On top of them getting to run their “non-profit” without having to pay taxes – they also get “Federal Financial Assistance” – which means that your taxpayer dollars are paying for them to use government facilities, employees, etc.
The DAV is so in bed with the VA – where they personally helped the VA can me, a federal whistleblower, on false allegations – which because of the DAV’s power and influence, I’m still fighting till this day in the courts.
Military “non-profits” are not the only money grab schemes in bed with the government – to give citizens a false sense of “someone” advocating for them. They do help some people/veterans here and there – but that’s just a facade to keep the scam going. One way to know you’re giving to an organization who is corrupt? Look at their “Administrative Overhead”. Look at how much their CEOs, CFOs get to take home. Look how much nothing has seriously improved for all the “causes” they claim they represent people on.
I do agree with you for the most part. I have never been able to prove what you are saying. I know the veteran groups get funds from the US Government, but could never prove it.
I’ve been told that for each claim the Veterans Groups take on they get $6,000.00 win lose or draw. I do not know if it is true or not but that’s what I was told by a VA employee.
As for a controlled opposition, I do agree on that 100%. Multiple times I’ve watched DAV, VFW, and more go against whats best for the veteran and do whats best for the VA.
TB,
I agree. Your comment is similar to what I just posted. I scrolled down after writing my comment and here you discussed similar to what I wrote. I am sick of their Peter to pay Paul and benefit from others who have actually walked the paths.
Benjamin
Yes I am a lifetime member too since 1996 when the Navy temporarily retired me from Navy active duty to Temporary Disabled Retired List. Then two years later the Navy permanently retired me to PDRL. The lifetime membership has served no purpose. They have been trying to best to get me to join lifetime membership when I am already a life time member. Go Figure Benjamin.
Follow the money. I tell them I am already a member. They do not even pay attention.
I’m a DAV Life Time Member. I’ve used the DAV with majority of success over the years. But I can’t help but wonder how the DAV could justify building verses purchasing one of the thousands of commercial buildings available in both Kentucky and Ohio that were in the areas they were looking. Buying a pr-existing structure and then remodeling would of been much more cost effective and allowed funds to be used elsewhere for veteran support.
All local DAV groups have disappeared since the Pandemic. So the ground game is drying up for recruitment. Maybe it’s time for DAV to start spending money to reconstitute the DAV local teams than build such an expensive building.
Oh I agree.
Wow! California was a ghost town in relation to any VA, County or State VSO’s. Recordings, no replies for all. One actually said to meet at an address, met “not open due to Covid-19” I’d called back, shockingly no reply… WTH! Resorted to a local DAV, forgot name but she was truly helpful in “try this number, try that number” actually got things rolling again. Get paid regardless, why help a Vet with a simple email, or call. Disgraceful!
Benjamin, over the years I have witnessed the DAV become politicized. In 1995, the DAV representative who reviewed my Navy Medical Records was Kenneth J. Kooyman. He was a DAV National Service Officer at the VA Regional Office located 380 Westminster Mall Providence, Rhode Island 02903; (401) 528-4415. He came on the Navy base to review while I was still on active duty. I still have his card today. Benjamin they handled everything. They had to because I couldn’t. Later he became sick with cancer.
I do believe what had a direct impact on my situation being handled sooner rather than later was the Navy base located at Newport, Rhode Island is less than an hour from the VA regional office in Providence RI.
As years went forward and after I transitioned to VISN 8, I witnessed the DAV and service officers becoming almost part of the VA. Benjamin as years went forward I became able to handle my own Affairs. My time in VISN 8 has been a disgrace. I have been slammed, blocked, and stomped on. Only 4 VA providers have really tried to work in my best interest. The rest have sucked and should not be employed because they serve themselves. Benjamin the service officers are bandaids just like the nurses and physicians are. They can only do what they are allowed to do by the people at the top. The real solutions lay at the Engineering levels and the manufacturing levels and how the laws are legislated around these issues. If root problems were corrected less service officers would be needed. But I do not see many of them doing their jobs anyway. Most service officers cannot stand up to the VA. I see them as being useless. While in VISN 8 all service officers have worked against me in line with the VISN 8. I have not spoken to a service officer in years. I recognized the obstruction and non support so I left the whole system. I have had only one experience with the DAV back in 1995 when they assisted in transitioning me from the Navy. They did a decent job but still they just covered the highlights not all. They had to Ben because I was not function-able. Since then I have been shit on to hell and back. Benjamin I am older than you but I am not aged to my age. My physical age is much younger than my chronological age. I am extremely high functioning today. I have a surprise on it’s way. I am fed up with the dysfunction coming from this government. I do not have positive words about any service organization. They have become part of the problem.
I lost all respect for the DAV when they started shutting down their much needed (community) “posts” around a decade or so ago! This tragedy occured nationwide. The stories that could be told now would not be nice!!! I believe if y’all were to research this issue here on disabledveterans dot org and other websites, you’d understand why vets really don’t have much respect for the DAV!
That’s all I have to say about that organization!