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Commander Burnett seals the deal with regular CSO visits to Fellowship Square in Mesa
Dr. Carl Forkner, Past Chapter 8 Commander
April 13, 2026
DAV is dedicated to a singular mission; to empower Veterans, their families, their caregivers, and their survivors to live high quality lives with respect and dignity.
The final challenge given to DAV members who are elected or appointed to Chapter Officer positions reflects the ongoing mission of DAV;
I charge you to be earnest, faithful and devoted, and to remember that our mission as a Disabled American Veterans organization is not fulfilled until all our country’s war-time disabled, and their dependents and survivors, have been
adequately cared for.
In a recent article written by DAV National Adjutant & CEO Barry Jesinoski, He stated the "Respect without action is meaningless." Quoting Jesinoski's words, Senator Blumenthal, on the floor of the Senate, told his Senate colleagues that "Rhetoric without action is worthless" as he chastised his colleagues for continued failure to pass the Major Richard Star Act--a bill that is now enduring its third Congress, being continually passed out of Committee by near unanimous, bi-partisan approval. 82% of Congress agrees with the need to pass this bill--but "Rhetoric without action is meaningless."
AZ DAV East Valley Chapter 8 in Mesa doesn't waste time on meaningless rhetoric and posturing speeches. Respect is not a simple "Thank you for your service" and then just keep walking; the respect and thankfulness for the service of Veterans and their spouses is reflected in action--action to go to where the Veterans and survivors are, and realizing that at the heart of true compassionate service lies the recognition that these Veterans--and the spouses who served alongside them--need to be seen, need to be heard, need someone to understand their life and times and their perspective on today, and most of all--they need to know that they still matter.
Funded by a grant for the DAV Department of Arizona, Commander Burnett and his outstanding team of Chapter Service Officers--all Veterans volunteering to serve their fellow Veterans--take the mission out of the Chapter House and into the neighborhoods where the Veterans live, allowing them to reach many Veterans who otherwise would not know about or receive the assistance DAV provides.
These dedicated CSOs understand that claims are only a tool in their tool belt, that true respect comes from serving beyond words, and that the bottom line to showing respect to our Veterans and their survivors is so much more; that respect is reflected in humanity, brotherhood, and sisterhood--and never giving up until the Veteran or their survivor has been approved by the VA for the benefits they deserve. Those benefits have already been paid for in full by the Veteran's service; it is now a debt and an obligation we owe...
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