National Association of American Veterans, Inc. (NAAV)

NAAV assists severely injured members and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly single parents. We help access their benefits and coordinate support from health agencies, educational organizations and the public.

Why do we exist?

The National Association of American Veterans, Inc. (NAA) is dedicated solely to support severely wounded, single parent service members and veterans and their dependents, particularly those returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  An essential role of NAAV is to assist combat veterans with claims and benefits, provide counseling , career coaching, health care information, legal, housing and psychological assistance and advocacy.

We are unique among veterans’ associations in that we focus on meeting the needs of severely wounded servicemen and women, particularly those who are single parents.  We also assist the spouses and families of those service members who have died in conflict.  While our immediate concern is with those families whose members have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, we also help U.S. Veterans of all wars.

We provide emergency funds for severely wounded and single parent service members and veterans returning from the war in the Middle East and having difficulty with acquiring benefits to assist with family/dependent care, counseling, temporary housing, employment, educational support and post-traumatic stress counseling

NAAV Services:

• Emergency Assistance
• Counseling (anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, bereavement, and pain management through Guided Imagery)
• Housing, recovery bus transportation, and employment assistance
• Medical care information for example, Caregiver booklet in preparation)
• Educational programs to all service members and veterans and their dependents

We have shared only a few cases out of the thousands of severely wounded, single parent service members and veterans and their dependents who need our immediate financial assistance to help them regain normalcy and meeting the challenges of getting their needs met.  NAAV solicits your support to serve and honor our nation’s service members and veterans. Join us as we first get an understanding of the individual service member’s and veteran’s crisis and areas of their immediate need to better understand collective challenges.

What have you accomplished?

Although only 24 months old, this brief organizational history includes several success stories.  In November 2005, being only few days as a nationally recognized organization, NAAV assisted several Iraq service members with financial and dependency needs through advocacy and support from other veterans, and concerned Americans.  An example of the services provided in the Washington, DC area included weekly visits with hospitalized Soldiers who were severely injured in the Middle East war.  Many Soldiers needed financial and emotional support for themselves and family.  Although resources are scarce, emotional support was provided through anxiety and stress management and imagery seminars.  One young Soldier who lost a leg and had brain damage, and upper body injuries received from an explosion in July 2005 had difficulty with initial medical, emotional, and financial assistance.  NAAV provided daily assistance to help this Soldier’s family was afforded the opportunity to remain together and receive the necessary therapy to enable the Soldier to walk with a new leg on Christmas Day.

In 2006, NAAV support Soldiers and their family with bus transportation on scheduled weekend activities during the extensive recovery process.  All too often, there are not enough buses for recovery activities for the Soldiers and their families.  NAAV provides needed support in sponsoring bus transportation.  In 2006 and 2007, NAAV sponsored, with the assistance of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office, Diversity/Outreach Program, “ Managing Anxiety and Stress Through Guided Imagery” by Diane L. Tusek, R.N., Director and Founder of Guided Imagery, Inc. Ms. Tusek has been featured on CNN, NBC, ABC, and the Today Show for her Guided Imagery Program at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.  This program also provided training for the medical team at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, Washington, DC.  Guided Imagery is a relaxation technique used to ease anxiety and stress during a stressful or difficult time in the life of a Soldier and his family.  This technique is also used for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury.  Guided Imagery is increasingly being used to enhance the quality of one’s life and to improve patient outcomes in health care settings.  In addition, NAAV recommend Guided Imagery for the caregiver for adults with chronic, disabling health conditions.

In 2006 and 2007, NAAV supported the DC VA Medical Center in Washington, DC with their yearly Winterhaven Program for the Homeless Veterans.  We assisted over 100 combat veterans and their families.  Currently, NAAV serves as VAVS Representatives with benefits and claims of those returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In December 2006, NAAV successfully obtained a powered wheel chair for a dependent of a Vietnam era veteran at the Elizabethtown Nursing Center in Elizabethtown, NC.  The single parent was unable to get the financial resources of over $6,000.  NAAV was instrumental is getting The Scooter Store to donate the powered wheel chair four days before Christmas Day.

In 2007, NAAV provided invaluable support to the Mental Health Task Force for PSTD, the Defense Health Board, and the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Wounded Warriors.  NAAV was instrumental in getting support for the caregiver of those who served including support groups, financial and respite care.  Again, in 2007, NAAV was instrumental in securing the Captain Bars and World War II and Korea War military medals for Captain Evelyn Decker, a veteran who did not receive her medals and Captain Bars since 1952.  The Captain Bars and military medals were presented 92 years old CPT Decker at the VA Medical Center in Northport, NY on May 25, 2007 just a few days before Memorial Day celebration honoring all veterans.  CPT Decker was presented  congratulatory letters from Congressman Charles B. Rangel’s and the Constance A. Burns, President of the National Association of American Veterans, Inc. in the present of VA Chief Officers, Retired U.S. Army Officers, family members, other veterans, and well wishers.

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