RENO, Nev. – Jessica Ullberg, who has spent more than 1,250 hours spanning a four-year period volunteering at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, has been awarded $15,000 by DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to pursue her goal of serving veterans by becoming a nurse.

The 18-year-old is the recipient of DAV’s Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship, which is awarded annually to the top youth volunteers in the DAV Voluntary Services program. Named after former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown, it honors the memory of a DAV leader dedicated to serving veterans through recognition of those who carry on his legacy of service. The scholarship is open to volunteers age 21 and younger who have contributed a minimum of 100 hours credited through DAV or DAV Auxiliary.

The scholarship will be presented to Ullberg at the DAV and Auxiliary 97th National Convention July 14 in Reno, Nev.

“Jessica has officially served over 1,250 hours at the VA but in reality, her volunteerism goes above and beyond the call to duty,” said DAV National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst. “She’s held fundraisers and purchased items veterans needed. With the help of her high school choir director, she and her fellow students sang and recorded several patriotic songs, made CDs and gave them to veterans. When she was assisting with a cooking class for veterans, she noticed many of them had trouble chopping food so she held a fundraiser and purchased a food processor to make food preparation easier for them. Her empathy and attunement to veterans’ needs has been a great asset for those she serves.”

“Jessica’s drive and desire to care for veterans is truly inspiring,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “Her goal to become a nurse, earn a master’s degree and continue her service to veterans by working at the Zablocki VA Medical Center illustrates her commitment to the men and women who served. Her volunteer experience, combined with her nursing education, will enable Jessica to be an outstanding medical practitioner in all capacities.”

 

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.