DAV WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT DISPATCH

Serving Those Who Served

March 2026

March Forward

March brings renewed momentum for DAV Wisconsin as we continue to March Forward - advocating with purpose, leading with integrity, and standing united for every veteran and our families who depend on us. This month is already marked by significant national developments, powerful advocacy in Washington, and important opportunities ahead here at home.

Mid‑Winter Conference: Advancing Our Mission in Washington, D.C.

Our delegation joined DAV leaders from across the country at the DAV Mid‑Winter Conference in Washington, D.C., where we met with lawmakers to elevate the voices of Wisconsin’s disabled veterans. These conversations centered on DAV’s 2026 Legislative Priorities, including:

1. Make the claims and appeals process work better for veterans  
2. Strengthen presumptive policies for toxic‑exposed veterans  
3. Close gaps in mental health care and suicide prevention  
4. Stop any effort to reduce, offset, or tax veterans’ benefits  
5. Modernize and strengthen survivor benefits  
6. Expand full dental care to all service‑disabled veterans  
7. Improve long‑term care, assisted living, and caregiver support  
8. Sustain VA health care through better infrastructure planning and funding  
9. Protect veterans’ services by ending PAYGO offsets and harmful budget caps

These priorities reflect the real challenges veterans, and our families face every day. Our advocacy ensures that Congress hears directly from those who live with the consequences of war long after the uniform comes off.

VA Rule Rescinded: Veterans’ Advocacy Made the Difference

In a major victory for veterans nationwide, the Department of Veterans Affairs has officially rescinded the rule that would have allowed disability ratings to be reduced based on how well a veteran functions while taking medication.

This rule sparked immediate and widespread outrage from veterans, VSOs, and DAV National Commander Coleman Nee, who made it clear that no veteran should ever be penalized for following their prescribed treatment.

The VA’s decision to rescind the rule is a direct result of unified advocacy—proof that when veterans stand together, we are heard. DAV Wisconsin remains committed to ensuring that earned benefits are never quietly eroded and that veterans’ rights remain fully protected.

Welcoming WDVA Leadership and VSO Partners

This month, the Department will host Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Bond along with leaders from fellow Veterans Service Organizations. Their partnership is essential as we work collectively to strengthen relationships, expand outreach, and ensure that Wisconsin veterans and families receive the care, dignity, and support they deserve.

Collaboration across organizations is how we build a stronger future for our veterans, and I look forward to the meaningful conversations ahead.

District Conferences: Strengthening Our Chapters

Our District Conferences are approaching quickly, and I look forward to seeing many of you there. These gatherings are vital for:

• Strengthening Chapter leadership
• Sharing best practices
• Building unity across the Department
• Learning about DAV Programs and Services
• Meeting candidates for Department Offices

The dates and locations for the District Conferences are as follows:

§ 1st District April 18^th at 1100AM

First United Methodist Church, 745 Main Street, Racine, WI 53403

§ 2nd District April 11^th at 1100AM

Taphouse Twenty, 201 Helen Walton Street Suite 1, Tomah, WI 54660

§ 3rd District April 25^th at 1100AM

Ladysmith, WI

§ 4th District 7 March 7^th at 1100AM

Green Bay Distillery, 835 Mike McCarthy Way, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304

Finally, DAV Community Impact Day is coming up on April 4, and Chapters across Wisconsin are preparing to serve veterans and their families in meaningful, hands‑on ways. This statewide day of service is our opportunity to show what it truly means to March Forward together—meeting veterans where they are, offering direct support, and strengthening the bonds within our communities. Whether your Chapter hosts benefits assistance, transportation outreach, wellness checks, caregiver support, or survivor benefit education, every effort contributes to a stronger, more connected veteran community. Please text your Community Impact Day pictures to my phone at 414‑375‑5783 so we can highlight the incredible work happening across the state.

To officially register your event with DAV National, visit the sign‑up page at https://www.dav.org/cid I look forward to seeing the impact we will make together.

Your presence and engagement make our Department stronger. Together, we continue to move forward with purpose and resolve.

Respectfully,

Tiffany Koehler

Department Commander

Membership WHO WHAT and HOW questions answered.

Who are DAV members? Any service member who was not dishonorably discharged and sustained an injury or illness during their time in the military—whether service connected by the VA or not—or anyone who aggravated a previous injury during his or her time in service, is eligible for DAV membership so long as they served during a period of armed conflict (does not

have to be direct combat).

What does DAV membership include? It’s well known that DAV’s services, including professional help with VA claims, transition and employment assistance DAV provides ALL veterans—all of which are provided at no cost to veterans—do not require membership in DAV.

However, DAV members do get savings on Ford vehicles and year-round discounted pricing on hotel and rental car rates—just to name a few perks. You also get a free subscription to DAV Magazine The Official Voice of DAV - Veteran Magazine Archives.

But most importantly – especially if you were helped by DAV – becoming a member gives you the opportunity to pay it forward and add your voice to help your fellow veterans.

DAV membership also gives you the ability to advocate for veterans legislation that will affect you directly.

How do you become a DAV member?

Please complete your DAV membership application online or visit join-2/join-dav to download application, fill it out and mail it in.

Either way, joining DAV’s ranks brings individual perks and strengthens the voices of our nation’s veterans in your local community and in Washington.

Learn more about how to recruit by using our RecruitmentResource_Print.pdf.

We are veterans serving veterans, and we’re stronger together!

DAV is an organization of veterans helping veterans. Our membership dues help DAV departments and chapters in States and communities Nationwide provide no cost services and programs. Such as claims assistance rides to VA medical appointments and Outreach to homeless and at-risk veterans.

Some veterans join for the fellowship at our more than 1,200 local chapters. Some for the inspiring national events. Others for opportunities to serve their fellow veterans and their families. And many join to continue the fight to support the rights and benefits of all veterans.

You just need to find their passion and use that to sell DAV to new members.

DAV Wisconsin,

               February was another productive month. Here at the headquarters, Office Manager Jeff Orlowski, Treasurer Hutchings, and I are constantly updating things as they come in. Jeff and I have been putting out things as they come in. We have been adopting some of National’s standing operating procedures. This way, we have even clearer transparency. This process may seem mundane, but we need to set up more SOPs to make things go more smoothly when they are in place. We apologize for the inconvenience. In the long run, this will make things move more smoothly and more quickly.

               National Mid-Winter went by fast. Commander Koehler, BPTL Hilliard, Women's Veterans Committee Member Bauerichter, Chapter 19 Commander Garcia, and I attended this event. We met with Senator Baldwin, Congressman Weid, Congressman Van Orden, and Congressman Tiffany’s staff. The three representatives we met with didn’t understand why we are still fighting for these Critical Policies, as this should be a priority for both parties. Each said they would support our goals. Now we wait to see if their word is good. We did not get responses from any of our other representatives for meetings. We will be calling their local office to discuss why we were not responded to and to meet with them, so they know our stand on our goals. Overall, it was a very productive Mid-Winter, with our National Commander, Coleman Nee, and staff doing an amazing job addressing our issues with Congress.

                The Department Convention, scheduled for June 11^th -13th at the Oneida Casino and Hotel, is not just an event, but a crucial platform for us. Your active participation and presence are vital in shaping the decisions made for Wisconsin's veterans. You must secure your registration and room reservations promptly. As soon as the winder block opens for the convention, there will be an email sent out to your chapter commanders and adjutants, so check with them often. We want to see as many of our members there as possible.

               Remember- “DAV is not just an organization, but a dedicated force committed to keeping our promise to America’s veterans. We accomplish 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.” This is our mission, our values, and our inspiration.



               I have always said, “If it were not for the veterans of our past, we would not have the benefits we have today; therefore, it is our job to continue to fight for the benefits of the veterans of the future.” I still believe in this and will always do so, and I am very thankful to those veterans before me.

Matt Kempainen

Department Adjutant

DAV Wisconsin