Today's DAR
The DAR Service for Veterans Committee is all about giving back to those that served our nation! The committee provides a tangible way for DAR members to say "thank you" by acknowledging and recognizing veterans' service, sacrifice, and commitment to the preservation of our nation's freedom. Our committee’s work is very diverse; we have several ongoing efforts to support our veterans, but I’ll touch on just two – Veteran Affairs Voluntary Service and Wreaths Across America. You can find the full list of projects on our DAR Service for Veterans Projects page on our website.
Make a Veteran Smile with DAR Service for Veterans
Veteran Affairs Voluntary Service or VAVS representatives are the liaison to our veterans within the Veteran’s Administration. VAVS was founded in 1946 by the forerunner to the Department of Veterans Affairs as a program to provide volunteer services for our nation's veterans. The NSDAR is a member of the VAVS National Advisory Committee, and we invite all our chapters to pursue volunteer projects to help our veterans.
Did you know that volunteers support the emotional, social, psychological and medical well-being and general welfare of our veterans? Our biggest and most important contribution may be bringing a smile to a veteran’s face – and what beautiful smiles they have! There are so many ways to volunteer for veterans. Chapters participate in drive by baby showers, ice cream and apple pie socials, delivering snack boxes, making fidget blankets, and preparing and delivering kitchen kits for veterans moving to independent living. Some chapters stock food pantries, manage coffee carts, or deliver Valentine's Day gift bags.
Sometimes all it takes is just saying “Thank you for your service to our country” to bring smile to a veteran. Consider contacting the Chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) in your area to learn about the immediate and long term needs of the Veterans. You will also find ideas on volunteering on our committee webpage. In addition, for a limited time, you can support veterans and the President General’s Project by ordering the new supporting veterans special t-shirt: - the deadline for ordering is October 8. Thank you for bringing SMILES to the faces of our veterans!
Each December, NSDAR commemorates veterans on National Wreaths Across America Day. Wreaths Across America’s mission is to “Remember, Honor, and Teach,” and they carry it out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery as well as at more than 2,500 locations across the US and abroad. DAR is proud to collaborate with WAA by supporting the laying of wreaths and remembering our veterans that are no longer with us. This act of the laying of wreaths is a beautiful way to honor our veterans but also a visible recognition to the families that they are not forgotten! This year’s laying of wreaths will be on December 17th. Learn more at WAA’s website.
In my opinion, there is no better way to serve than to support those that served our great nation! Both states and chapters do amazing things to support our veterans. We encourage you to join our private DAR Service to Veterans Committee Facebook group for all the latest updates.
