LIHUE — The Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 5, Kauai will be hosting the statewide 65th annual DAV/DAVA convention at the Hilton Garden Inn from June 10-12. “We want to make sure this convention is not just a few days of
LIHUE — The Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 5, Kauai will be hosting the statewide 65th annual DAV/DAVA convention at the Hilton Garden Inn from June 10-12.
“We want to make sure this convention is not just a few days of camaraderie,” said Mary Kay Hertog, the commander of Kauai DAV Chapter 5, and the convention chair. “We want this to be a learning experience for disabled veterans.”
Special guests include the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Moses McIntosh, who will speak to veterans of his priorities.
Mrs. Linda Stake is the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and will be arriving from Arkansas to brief attendees on her priorities in taking care of family members who are usually the caregivers for disabled veterans.
Hertog said Tom Kahalu Lee, Jr., Gov. David Ige’s military affairs liaison, is also scheduled to address the group.
“Gov. Ige is not only the first governor to fill this position,” Hertog said. “Mr. Lee is a veteran of both the Navy and the Army, losing his leg in combat during a deployment to Iraq. He came back and went on to compete in the U.S. Paratriathlon National Championships in 2015. He is the new normal — keep pressing on.”
“His personal story is an inspiration to all,” Hertog said. “He is now working on behalf of all disabled veterans as the interface between the governor, the state, and military communities.”
Kauai native General (retired) Eric Shinseki will be the highlight of the convention when he addresses the audience during the banquet on June 11, Hertog said.
“The Honorable Eric Shinseki has lived a life of selfless service, spending 38 years in uniform, and retiring in 2003 as the Chief of Staff of the Army,” Hertog said. “In 2008, President Barack Obama nominated him to a Cabinet level position, to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. He served as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2009 until 2014.”
Hertog said the banquet is open to anyone who would like to pay tribute to disabled veterans. The convention is open only to disabled veterans who are registered members of one of the nine DAV chapters in Hawaii.
Cost of the banquet is $45 per person and checks only will be accepted in advance, made payable to the 2016 DAV Convention Banquet. Checks must be received by May 31, and can be mailed to P.O. Box 771, Lihue, Hawaii 96766.
