More than a century after disabled veterans returned home from World War I to build an organization that would fight for those who served, thousands of DAV and Auxiliary members gathered once again to shape the organization’s future.
The 2026 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention brought members from every corner of the nation to Orlando, Florida, where they celebrated another year of service to veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors while setting priorities for the year ahead. Through committee meetings, legislative discussions, educational sessions, recognitions and fellowship, members reaffirmed the mission that has guided DAV for 106 years: keeping our promise to America’s veterans.
The convention also marked the beginning of a new chapter in DAV leadership as members elected service-connected disabled Navy veteran John Donovan as the organization’s new national commander.
Donovan succeeded outgoing National Commander Coleman Nee after a year that saw DAV continue leading the way in advocating for veterans’ earned benefits, expanding access to healthcare, strengthening support for caregivers and ensuring veterans’ voices remained at the forefront of national policy discussions.
As he accepted the gavel, Donovan called on members to continue building on DAV’s proud legacy while preparing the organization for the future.
“As I look ahead to the coming year, I believe our path is clear,” Donovan said. “We need unity, and we need to grow our numbers, because those two goals are inseparable. The stronger and more united our membership becomes, the stronger our voice will be when we advocate before Congress, partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs and stand up for veterans in every community across this country.”
Opening the convention
The convention officially began with the joint opening session of DAV and the DAV Auxiliary, bringing together members of both organizations to celebrate their shared commitment to serving America’s veterans and their families.
The session featured remarks from VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence, who addressed attendees on the department’s priorities, ongoing efforts to improve services for veterans, and the critical partnership between DAV and the VA.
“Caring for veterans is more than VA’s mission. Caring for veterans is how we fulfill our nation’s promise to the men and women who have worn our uniforms,” Lawrence said. “But we can never fully fulfill that promise without trusted partners like DAV committed to that promise, to that responsibility and to accountability.”
Lawrence highlighted the organization’s long-standing collaboration with the VA, including joint efforts to connect veterans with earned benefits and healthcare services. He also recognized the impact of DAV’s nationwide network of service officers in helping veterans navigate the VA system.
“Your extraordinary service officers are the thread who get these veterans connected to VA,” Lawrence said. “They are doing extraordinary work helping veterans get to VA—helping veterans in ways that those same veterans may not fully recognize or appreciate for decades to come.”
Bringing VA services directly to veterans
An impactful example of collaboration came through an expanded partnership with the VA that brought claims assistance directly to veterans in attendance.
Throughout the week, DAV benefits advocates worked alongside VA personnel to help veterans navigate the entire disability claims process—from filing a claim to, in some cases, receiving a rating decision before leaving the convention.
For the second time, VA staff developed claims on-site while compensation and pension exam vendors operated mobile medical units capable of conducting most required exams. Those results were immediately available to VA decision-makers, allowing some veterans to complete in days what can often take weeks or months.
“This is exactly what happens when DAV and VA work together to remove barriers for veterans,” said DAV National Service Director Scott Hope. “Instead of veterans navigating multiple appointments over weeks or months, we were able to bring the people and resources they needed together in one place.”
The collaborative effort assisted 282 veterans, resulted in 171 newly filed claims, and completed 120 compensation and pension examinations. Before the convention concluded, at least 46 veterans had already received rating decisions on their claims.
One such veteran was Navy Reserve Cmdr. Christina West, who was able to submit a disability claim for numerous service-related conditions, get her required examinations and receive a finalized rating decision from the VA in less than four days.
“The timeline that the process was turned around in, that was incredible,” said West. “It’s unheard of for a claim to be turned around that quickly.”
The initiative reflected the VA’s broader effort to meet veterans where they are through mobile clinics, telehealth and other technologies that make care and benefits more accessible.
“The response from veterans was overwhelmingly positive,” Hope said. “It demonstrated what’s possible when we bring services directly to veterans instead of expecting veterans to come to us. That’s something we hope to continue building on at future conventions.”
Members guide the organization’s future
As always, the convention served as DAV’s highest governing body, giving members the opportunity to debate and adopt resolutions that will guide the organization’s legislative and policy priorities during the coming year.
Committees met throughout the convention to review proposed resolutions covering a broad range of issues affecting veterans, including healthcare, disability compensation, employment, education, long-term care, mental health, toxic exposures, caregiver support and other critical benefits.
The member-adopted resolutions will continue to shape DAV’s advocacy before Congress, the VA and other federal agencies, ensuring the organization remains focused on addressing the evolving needs of disabled veterans and their families.
Members also heard reports highlighting the organization’s work over the past year, including its legislative advocacy, benefits representation, employment initiatives, voluntary services, charitable programs and communications efforts.
Together, those reports reflected the strength of nearly 1 million DAV members working through chapters and departments across the country to improve the lives of fellow veterans.
Honoring extraordinary service
One of the convention’s most inspiring moments came as DAV recognized Sam Juan as its 2026 Disabled American Veteran of the Year, honoring her extraordinary military service and continued advocacy on behalf of fellow veterans.
An Army veteran and former member of the Army’s elite Cultural Support Teams, Juan served alongside U.S. special operations forces in Afghanistan, helping pave the way for women in some of the military’s most demanding operational environments.
Following her service, Juan confronted the invisible wounds of war and the difficult transition to civilian life. After overcoming addiction and finding healing, she dedicated herself to helping other veterans do the same.
Today, Juan uses her artwork and her voice to advocate for veterans struggling with trauma, addiction and mental health challenges. She has also become a leading advocate for psychedelic-assisted therapies, drawing on her own experiences and speaking openly about the potential of emerging treatments to help veterans heal.
At the convention, Juan participated in the panel “Ibogaine-Assisted Therapy: Hope, Evidence and the Road Ahead,” joining Robert Gallery, a former NFL offensive lineman; retired Rear Adm. Dr. James Hancock, former chief of the U.S. Navy Medical Corps and medical officer of the U.S. Marine Corps; and Bryan Hubbard, CEO of Americans for Ibogaine, whose remarks during the opening session stirred the audience through his unique and powerful oratory. Together with these experts and fellow veterans, Juan discussed the current evidence surrounding ibogaine, personal experiences with the psychedelic medicine and the evolving policy landscape for psychedelic-assisted therapy. The discussion explored its potential applications in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and substance use disorders, underscoring Juan’s commitment to advancing new approaches to healing for veterans.
The convention also recognized other individuals and organizations whose outstanding service has strengthened the veteran community through volunteerism, advocacy, employment, journalism and community leadership. The many stories recognized throughout the week illustrated a common truth: DAV’s mission is carried forward by people who refuse to let adversity have the final word.
A new commander
The election of John Donovan represents both continuity and a renewed focus on DAV’s future.
A longtime DAV leader and service-connected disabled Navy veteran, Donovan has held leadership roles at the chapter, department and national levels, earning the respect of members across the organization.
As national commander, Donovan emphasized that DAV’s greatest strength is its members—the volunteers who mentor new leaders, recruit future generations, advocate in their communities and ensure no veteran faces life’s challenges alone.
“Membership grows through the work each of you does every single day,” Donovan said. “It grows when a volunteer driver arrives before sunrise to get a veteran to a medical appointment. It grows when a service officer stays late because one more family needs help filing a claim. It grows when chapter members build wheelchair ramps, volunteer at food pantries, work community events or simply check on a veteran who hasn’t been seen in a while.”
His election begins a new year focused on strengthening chapters, developing future leaders and ensuring DAV remains the nation’s preeminent organization for disabled veterans.
In addition to Donovan’s election, delegates elected other DAV national officers: Senior Vice Commander James Procunier, 1st Junior Vice Commander Glenn Hohman, 2nd Junior Vice Commander Brenda Reed, 3rd Junior Vice Commander Adam Greathouse, 4th Junior Vice Commander Denice Williams, Judge Advocate Michael Dobmeier and Chaplain Debra Varner Dancer.
The DAV Auxiliary elected Kathleen Wenthe as its new national commander, succeeding Melissa Pierce.
Celebrating fellowship and service
While the convention’s business sessions remained its central purpose, members also found time to celebrate the friendships, camaraderie and shared purpose that have long defined DAV.
An annual highlight, Fun Night allowed attendees to enjoy a special performance by Grammy-nominated husband-and-wife duo Michael Trotter Jr., who’s an Army veteran, and Tonya Trotter of The War and Treaty.
Known for their powerful blend of soul, country, gospel and rock, the acclaimed performers energized the audience with a memorable evening that celebrated resilience, hope and the enduring bonds shared by the veteran community.
The convention also brought a unique mix of entertainment and entrepreneurship to the main stage through the DAV Patriots Pitch contest. Six veteran entrepreneurs competed for $10,000, showcasing their businesses and pitching their ideas to the convention audience, who voted to select the winner. Dr. Jeremy Dublon, founder of NextStepCare, took the top prize in a contest that highlighted the creativity, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit of the veteran community.
Together, Patriots Pitch and Fun Night added moments of energy and celebration to a convention filled with meaningful work, giving members opportunities to connect, have fun and celebrate the broader veteran community.
Like so many convention traditions, these shared experiences reminded attendees that the relationships built through DAV often last a lifetime.
Looking ahead
As members departed Orlando, they returned home carrying more than reports and newly adopted resolutions.
They returned with renewed purpose.
The challenges facing veterans continue to evolve—from ensuring timely access to healthcare and benefits to strengthening caregiver support, expanding employment opportunities and protecting the promises made to those who served.
Meeting those challenges will require the same determination that has defined DAV since its founding.
Under Donovan’s leadership, the organization enters its next year committed to building stronger chapters, developing new leaders and expanding its ability to serve veterans in every community.
The work ahead will depend not only on national leadership but on the thousands of members who volunteer in hospitals, assist veterans with benefits claims, advocate before lawmakers, mentor fellow veterans and strengthen DAV in their hometowns every day.
That spirit of local service has always been the foundation of DAV’s national success.
The 2026 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention demonstrated once again that while leadership changes from year to year, the mission remains constant.
From the opening gavel to the election of new officers and from committee deliberations to celebrations of service, members reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring America’s veterans receive the care, respect and opportunities they have earned.
As one national commander concluded his year of service and another accepted the responsibility of leading the organization forward, the convention reflected both DAV’s proud history and its enduring future.
The watch has changed.
The mission continues.
