Any man or woman, who was wounded, gassed, injured or disabled in line of duty during time of war, while in the service of either the military or naval forces of the United States of America, and who has not been dishonorably discharged or separated from such service, or who may still be in active service in the armed forces of the United States of America is eligible for membership in the Disabled American Veterans. Others, who are disabled while serving with any of the armed forces of any nations associated with the United States of America as allies during any of its war periods, who are American citizens and who are honorably discharged, are also eligible.
DAV PURPOSE
To uphold and maintain the Constitution and the laws of the United States; to realize the true American ideals and aims for which those eligible to membership fought; to advance the interests and work for the betterment of all wounded, gassed, injured and disabled veterans; to cooperate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and all other public and private agencies devoted to the cause of improving and advancing the condition, health and interest of all wounded, gassed, injured and disabled veterans; to stimulate a feeling of mutual devotion, helpfulness and comradeship among all wounded, gassed, injured and disabled veterans; to serve our comrades, our communities and our country; and to encourage in all people that spirit of under-standing which will guard against future wars.
PREAMBLE
For God and Nation, and for our commonweal, we former members of the armed forces of the United States having aided in maintaining the honor, integrity, and supremacy of our country, holding in remembrance the sacrifices in common made and drawn together by strong bonds of respect and mutual suffering, solemnly and firmly associate ourselves together in creating the Disabled American Veterans, the principles and purposes of which shall be supreme allegiance to the United States of America, fidelity to its Constitution and laws; to hold aloft the torch of true patriotism; to strive for a better understanding between nations that peace and goodwill may prevail; to cherish and preserve the memories of our military association; and to aid and assist worthy wartime disabled veterans, their widows, their orphans and their dependents.
Since its founding, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has been dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families. Fidelity to that mission has required DAV to respond in a creative and flexible way to the changing and sometimes unpredictable problems faced by its constituency. Whether disabled veterans have needed a voice on Capitol Hill, a nationwide service program, a transportation network or unique rehabilitation opportunities, DAV has focused its attention and resources to meet those needs.
Today's environment presents a unique set of challenges to which DAV must respond. The explosion of the "information super- highway" and developments in computer science will affect virtually every area of DAV's operations, from fund raising to claims advocacy. So too, the changing needs of an aging veteran population will require adaptation by both DAV and the federal government, a government increasingly prone to cost-cutting and led largely by persons with no military experience and little passion for veterans' issues.
Recognizing that the twenty-first century will present both enormous challenges and breathtaking opportunities to DAV, National Adjutant to begin work on a strategic plan to ensure the continued viability and vitality of DAV well into the future. Since then, input has been gathered from DAV leaders throughout the entire organization. Their insights have been incorporated into this strategic plan which, like DAV, is intended to be flexible and responsive to the ever-changing needs of disabled veterans and their families. This strategic plan is a blueprint for DAV to remain the greatest veterans' service organization in the world. America's disabled veterans deserve nothing less.
