Since its beginnings in 1920, the DAV has never wavered in our commitment to serve our nation's service-connected disabled veterans, their dependents, and survivors.

Our largest endeavor in fulfilling that mission is our National Service Program. National Service Officers (NSOs) and Transitional Service Officers (TSOs) directly and tirelessly represent veterans and their families with claims for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies. Veterans need not be DAV members to take advantage of this assistance, which is provided free of charge.

NSOs assist with filing claims for VA disability compensation, rehabilitation and education programs, pensions, death benefits, employment and training programs, and much more.

Transition Service Officers help veterans transition back into civilian life by participating in Transition Assistance Programs and Disabled Transition Assistance Programs. Transition Service Officers provide benefits counseling and assistance to service members even before they leave military service at more than 100 military separation centers.

The Transportation Network is one of our largest Voluntary Service Programs through which DAV Volunteers drive sick and disabled veterans to and from VA medical facilities for treatment. This program arose when the federal government terminated its program that helped many veterans pay for transportation to VA medical facilities. The DAV stepped in to meet this need by assisting with the purchase of 2,109 vans since 1987. These vans have all been donated to VA hospitals for use in the Transportation Network. The DAV also has 189 Hospital Service Coordinators throughout the country to coordinate the transportation needs for disabled veterans.

During 2008, DAV volunteers donated 1,833,388 hours and drove 22,199,882 miles providing 602,137 free rides to veterans.

By putting our service offices on the road, assisting veterans where they live, the DAV is increasing accessibility to the benefits our nation provides to its veterans. This outreach effort assists those veterans who may not otherwise have the opportunity to seek assistance at DAV National Service Offices.

Last year our MSOs traveled more than 92,600 miles while visiting 645 cities and towns.

The DAV works alongside the Department of Labor, the VA, Office of Personnel Management, Congress and other government agencies to ensure disabled veterans are treated fairly and equitably in the work force.

DAV continually works on programs to assist disabled veterans in the job market. The primary goal is to seek legislation to enhance programs and services provided by the Department of Labor and Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, the Office of Personnel Management and other government agencies.

The DAV is an advocate for women veterans on a variety of fronts. We have organized top-level forums designed to bring women veterans and government policy-makers together to openly address topics of concern. The DAV is actively involved in the congressionally chartered VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. Further, the DAV has its own Women's Advisory Committee, primarily made up of women veterans from DAV's membership across the country.

The DAV's Homeless Veterans Initiative, established to help homeless veterans break the cycle of poverty and isolation and move from the streets to self-sufficiency, has helped us focus attention on the needs of homeless veterans. Many of our Departments and Chapters are actively involved in the homeless initiatives in their respective communities.