D.A.V. Reaches Out

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) -      A southern Indiana group is reaching out to grow and try to help more veterans.

     The Disabled Americans Veterans chapter in Vincennes is in a rebuilding process.

     The organization not only wants to reach out to potential new members, but also hopes to make life better for former soldiers.

     A handful of aging soldiers are on a revitalized mission.

     The Disabled American Veterans goal is to help veterans from all American actions and wars get the help they need.

     "Help them, they don't want to say we've neglected them but we're trying to do more for them that are desperate and need help," said D.A.V. Commander Bill Toth, "and they need monetary assistance, all different things, medical affairs and all of that."

     The D.A.V. and the local veterans office work closely together, especially on transportation.

  The D.A.V. provides the vans which run to the various Veterans Administration Hosptials.

  The one in Vincennes, as usual is on the road, but the need for those vehicles is greater than ever.

     "we find that we have a steady mix of World War II, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and also some of the ones that have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq," said Knox County Veterans Affairs Officer Harold Hensley.

     Vet's with needs that these former soldiers want to see met.

     "It's a good Samaritan," said Toth.  "The things that we have to do, some of the suffering these kids go through that are really permanently injured."

     Something these old soldiers see as their next effort for others who also served.
 
     Meanwhile, the Indiana Legislature is looking into ways to try and reduce unemployment among Hoosier veterans.

     Officials say the unemployment rate among post 9/11 soldiers is 20 percent.

     The General Assembly is including language into a bill establishing the Indiana Career Council to include provisions to help former soldiers get jobs.