Reno, Nev. – Diana Wong, a DAV (Disabled American Veteran) Auxiliary member who lives in Albuquerque, N.M., has been selected as the 2018 DAV Auxiliary George H. Seal Memorial Trophy recipient. DAV National Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster will present the award at the organization’s 97th National Convention July 14 in Reno, Nev.
“I am honored to present this award to Diana,” said Metcalf-Foster. “She is a shining example of what it means to serve our veterans and help them lead high quality lives with respect and dignity.”
Wong has served for 12 years as a volunteer for the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service program, and has given over 2,780 hours of her time serving veterans in a variety of areas at the New Mexico VA Health System. She helps veterans meet their spiritual needs by transporting inpatients to religious services and serves communion to bedridden patients. An Air Force veteran, Wong also focuses on supporting fellow women veterans at the hospital where she once received care.
“The people at this medical center have been taking care of me and this is my way of giving back,” said Wong.
She and other volunteers take part in running the Women’s Clothes Closet by sorting through donated clothes, inspecting items to ensure they are in good shape and then organizing them so veterans can easily find what they need. Wong lifts morale by assisting with fun activities like holiday parties and she also helps raise funds for events such as 2018 National Veterans Golden Age Games being held in August.
Wong said she volunteers to help veterans because that is what’s in her heart. A disabled (branch) veteran, she is a member of both DAV Chapter 32 and Auxiliary Unit 32 in Albuquerque. She volunteers through the unit.
“Our 2018 George H. Seal Trophy recipient, Diana Wong, exemplifies what it means to be a leader and a volunteer for the men and women who have served out country,” said Metcalf-Foster. “She goes above and beyond the call of duty to care for veterans and we are fortunate to have volunteers like her around the country.
About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; providing employment resources to veterans and their families and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with more than 1 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932.