Following the announcement that Dr. Richard Stone will be departing his role as Acting Undersecretary for Health at the Veterans Health Administration, DAV would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation for his many years of exemplary public service, both in the U.S. Army and at the VA. During his time leading VHA, Dr. Stone has been a champion for a strong VA system and has helped guide the department through numerous challenges including the implementation of the MISSION Act, the veterans suicide crisis and emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Stone has maintained transparency in his approach to management, and has kept an open line of communication with veterans service organizations throughout his tenure. We wish him the best in his future endeavors, and thank him for his leadership and the many contributions he has made over the years to better the health and lives of America’s veterans.
Statement on Dr. Stone
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The Silver Star is the third highest combat decoration for valor. Every year on May 1, the U.S. honors and recognizes the service members who have been awarded the medal. DAV would like to give a special shout out to all of the brave men and women who have earned this award while protecting our freedoms. #SilverStarServiceBannerDay
When her eating disorder escalated during her 15 years in the Ohio Air National Guard, Amber Miskovich had to seek help through a 12-step program. Later, she turned to Save A Warrior - "SAW", a nonprofit organization that provides retreats and leverages the best interdisciplinary approaches to prevent suicide among veterans and first responders. The Veterans Health Administration estimates that as many as 14% of female and 4% of male patients have eating disorders, numbers Miskovich believes are vastly underreported due to the shame around it. Eating disorders are also linked to an increased risk for suicide.In February 2024, DAV published “Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness.” This report is a comprehensive assessment of the unique factors contributing to the staggering rates of suicide among women veterans and how the system charged with their mental health care can and must do better. Read Amber’s full story and learn more about the report and DAV’s findings at
Save the date! Registration for the 102nd DAV & Auxiliary National Convention, in Phoenix, Arizona, is expected to open on Monday, May 6. We hope you can join us for an exciting week filled with seminars, entertainment, camaraderie, and education on August 3-6, 2024. Registration, hotel info and other useful links are available at dav.org/events/2024-national-convention/.
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