Roberto "Bobby" Barrera

Roberto “Bobby” Barrera, a Marine veteran, was seriously burned when enemy forces in Vietnam exploded a 500-pound bomb rigged as a land mine beneath the armored personnel carrier he was traveling in. The explosion and fireball that ripped through the vehicle burned Bobby over 40 percent of his body, causing serious facial burns, the loss of his right hand at the wrist and his left arm at the shoulder. Bobby turned to DAV for help and ultimately rose to lead the organization as National Commander in 2009. Bobby and his wife, Maricelia, reside in San Antonio, Texas. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.

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With a legacy of service dating back to our founding in 1920, DAV has a track record of being an influential advocate and inclusive voice for veterans of every era and conflict. Today, with 1.3 million members and nearly 1,300 local Chapters, DAV represents the voices of ill and injured veterans before Congress, the White House and the judicial branch, as well as state and local governments. DAV fights for veterans’ rights and promotes policies that ensure veterans and their families can live with respect and dignity. When DAV leaders testify before Congress, policymakers listen, and it’s because of our members—a voice that policymakers cannot ignore. Advocacy is an extremely important piece of what DAV does for veterans and our members. The louder our voice, the stronger our presence and DAV wants your voice to be heard. It would be our honor to have you stand with us to ensure veterans’ rights are protected, now and in the future.

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As one of America’s largest, most effective organizations helping those who served, DAV provides the most substantive, empowering services to our nation’s heroes of every generation. Each year we represent more than 1 million veterans and their families of all ages and service eras. DAV provides vital benefits claims assistance. Our free transportation service provides rides for veterans to medical appointments. In 2016, DAV will sponsor more than 70 job fairs to connect veterans directly with employers. DAV also provides invaluable assistance to servicemen and women as they leave the military, explaining their rights and the benefits available to them upon their discharge. DAV is helping keep the promise to America’s veterans in every way we can. There are 22 million veterans in America—with your help, we can do even more.

How we help

The DAV 5K Run to Honor Veterans is a run, walk, roll and motorcycle ride that thanks those who served and raises awareness of the issues our ill and injured veterans face ‭every day. The events help further the mission of DAV to ensure our injured heroes are not alone on their road to recovery. When you participate in the DAV 5K, you are ‭investing in the lives of our wounded American heroes who have sacrificed for our freedoms.

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Help the brave men and women who have served by donating any car, truck, RV or boat—in any\ncondition and from any location—and get a tax deduction at the same time! It’s quick, easy and a great way to get rid of an old or extra vehicle. Turn your vehicle into resources that help ensure our nation’s heroes have the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms their sacrifices have made possible. We accept all vehicles—cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats, airplanes, heavy equipment, farm machinery, etc.—whether they’re running or not. With more than 3,500 tow companies at our disposal, we can provide free pick-up anywhere in the country. You are entitled to receive a tax deduction equal to what the vehicle is sold for if you itemize your deductions. If the vehicle is sold for less than $500, you can deduct the fair market value up to $500. You will receive a tax receipt stating what your vehicle sold for within a few days of the sale. We convert the car into cash, which becomes a welcome donation to DAV.

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USAA is proud to be the Exclusive Provider of Credit Card Services and Property and Casualty Insurance for DAV. We look out for our membership, offering innovations that help save them time and tools and advice that help them make informed financial decisions for every stage of life. By making USAA your financial provider, you can give back to and help fund the important programs of DAV.

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