Frenchtown-Newport Disabled American Veterans Chapter 137

Founded in 1920, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is the third largest veteran’s organization in the United States. Dennis Nixon, a Vietnam veteran and DAV volunteer for 36 years in Texas, was elected national commander recently,

In Monroe, Floral City Chapter 66 was established in 1946 and served veterans until 2001. In the late 1940s, members of the Floral City Chapter helped build the first handicapped accessible home. It was for Allen Wilcox, a World War II veteran, who was wounded in combat and became a paraplegic. He died in 1957 at the age of 39.

The DAV, which often joins forces with other veterans organizations assists disabled local veterans in many ways, including providing a life chair, helping others with utility bills and supporting a college scholarship.

Today, there are 1,300 national chapters and 1.2 million national members. Monroe County makes up 62 of those members.