By James Barnett and Roger R. Lodi
Freehold Chapter 74 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is committed to providing support to all of America’s veterans. The Freehold chapter prides itself on being a source of timely assistance and fraternity for those who have served our great Republic.
The DAV was created in 1920 in the aftermath of World War I. Multiple veterans’ organizations banded together to assist veterans in filing claims and obtaining medical assistance, and to provide general outreach to the public about veterans’ issues.
Since that time the DAV has seen the creation of the Veterans Administration (VA) and has remained focused on empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity.
The chapter focuses on providing assistance to veterans who are filing claims with the VA; awarding financial grants to local veterans in need; supporting other organizations which support veterans; general fundraising; supporting other veterans and community organizations; and providing camaraderie and friendship for all veterans.
To be a DAV member, an individual must be a veteran with a pending or approved VA compensation award letter.
Once the DAV is named as an advocate for that veteran to the VA, a veteran who is filing an initial or re-evaluation claim can receive personal assistance from a trained DAV service officer. The chapter is always interested in gaining new members, especially from the more recent generations of veterans.
The chapter has multiple annual fundraising events: the Patterson Family Farms Veterans Appreciation Day (October); the Golden Corral Veterans Appreciation Week (November); Texas Roadhouse (Old Bridge); Sam’s Club (Freehold); and Gasko’s Nursery (Englishtown) for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Memorial Day.
The chapter is always looking for new opportunities to raise funds. The chapter also benefits from individual private donations and recurring donations from the Red Bank Lutheran Church Ladies Auxiliary.
Our chapter is very receptive to requests for assistance and active in supporting certain funds on a recurring basis. All individual requests are reviewed and the credibility of the need is confirmed before any grant action is taken.
The chapter is open to requests from anyone, but attempts to limit the vast majority of its grants to the Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean county areas of its membership.
Recurring grants are made to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Fund, the U.S. Marine Corps League and VA homes for veterans.
The chapter is a consistent supporter of the U.S. Army Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund. This fund, named after a local student and soldier killed in action in Iraq in 2005, is prolific in its support to wounded warriors and especially in the acquisition of service dogs for wounded warriors.
Veterans who require any assistance with claims or general welfare, as well as those who want to join and contribute to Chapter 74’s activities, are invited to attend our monthly meetings.
Chapter 74 is based in Freehold and meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Freehold American Legion, 62 W. Main St. For more information, call 732-616-0668 or 732-239-0368.
James Barnett is the commander and Roger R. Lodi is the adjutant of DAV Chapter 74, Freehold.
