National Adjutant Message
Barry A. Jesinoski, National Adjutant
World War II veteran reflects on service to veterans
There’s something about a visit to the South that makes sitting with an old friend and reminiscing incredibly special. When that friend is a DAV past national commander, World War II Army veteran and retired national service officer, it’s that much better.
A few weeks before Veterans Day, I traveled to North Carolina to pay a long overdue visit to Past National Commander Billy Kirby. At 103 years old, Billy is our oldest living PNC. Our meeting was more than a conversation—it was a reflection on a lifetime of dedication to veterans.
After being wounded on the battlefields of Italy, Billy came home and eventually became a DAV national service officer in Waco, Texas. His passion and dedication for service were apparent, and he was recommended to serve as an adviser to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, working on legislation to expand or fine-tune existing laws.
From World War II to today, Billy’s insights are rooted in not only personal experience but also the collective history of DAV’s growth as an organization that tirelessly advocates for those who served.
During our time together, we spoke about his journey from infantry soldier to civilian. For Billy, the battle never really ended—it just changed form.
“I was proud to be a (national) service officer,” Billy told me. “The thing I enjoyed most was helping people. I enjoyed working with membership, working with chapters, organizing the chapters. We worked hard, and it felt good. I enjoyed going before the Board (of Veterans’ Appeals) and arguing a case.”
He also said that national service officers are “the backbone of the organization. They have to be involved with their departments and chapters.”
I couldn’t agree more. Service and membership should be in lockstep for the overall health and strength of our mission.
When Billy’s service with DAV began, the focus was largely on compensation and pensions for disabled veterans. But as the years progressed and as he rose through the ranks to become national commander, the needs of veterans evolved. Health care, mental health, education and employment became equally important pillars of support, he said.
Billy’s 1988–89 tenure as national commander came just after the establishment of the DAV Transportation Network, which has since become a cornerstone of our volunteerism efforts. It’s hard to imagine a DAV without it. As a fellow service officer, I felt a deep sense of connection to Billy’s reflections. Our visit was a reminder of the power of service, the importance of continuing the fight for veterans’ rights and the strength that comes from being a part of an organization that serves veterans of all generations.
Billy’s legacy is a testament to the fact that our work as DAV members is never done.
If you want to find out more about the National Adjutant, you can find his biography here.