Local DAV gearing up to serve

<b>By Christin Coyne</b><br><a href="mailto:ccoyne@mineralwellsindex.com">ccoyne@mineralwellsindex.com</a>

With Veteran's Day approaching, the Mineral Wells chapter of Disabled American Veterans will be raising funds to create a support system for veterans and their families by selling small forget-me-not replicas at several local restaurants Nov. 6 through Nov. 11.

“Veteran's week is here … let's not forget [our veterans],” said Jim Vines, adjutant of the newly formed Disabled American Veterans chapter in Mineral Wells.

According to Vines, since the Weatherford chapter was locked down about two years ago, the area has not had a group dedicated solely to finding out the needs of disabled veterans and their families until the Mineral Wells DAV Chapter 235 formed.

“We're about finding veterans or families or widows and … attacking [their] needs,” Vines said. “We're here to help and be of assistance in the county.”

The group hopes to help veterans and their families in Palo Pinto County gain access to veterans benefits, counseling and information and to provide transportation to VA centers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, among other things.

“A lot of us have sons, grandchildren in the military,” Vines said. His own son recently left on his third tour, headed for Afghanistan.

Their membership has grown from 30 members in August to 56 members at their last meeting in October.

Having obtained their charter at their October meeting, the group is mainly in the planning and organizing stage at the moment, according to Vines.

They are attempting to remodel a building at Fort Wolters for their offices, but currently meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building at 1400 S.E. 23rd St..

“We're trying to acquire a vehicle from Kentucky [DAV headquarters to provide free transportation to veterans going to medical centers],” Vines said.

They will also be looking to help veterans who may have lost a limb or need help with equipment such as wheelchairs.

Members have been getting the word out at events such as the Crazy Water Festival and are planning several events for the upcoming Veterans holiday period, including the forget-me-not fundraising at 10 locations.

The fundraiser has been a tradition with DAV members since they began selling the small flowers to the public in 1926.

According to the DAV website, returning soldiers suggested selling the flowers in memory of the spring flowers that covered allied soldiers' graves in Europe to raise money for disabled veterans after World War I.

The proceeds from flowers sold in Palo Pinto County will go to the local chapter to aid in their efforts to help area disabled veterans and their families, Vines said.

“They can visit one of these locations and make a donation of whatever [amount],” he said.

The group will also be at Applebees in Weatherford on Veteran's Day to greet and meet veterans and active duty service members, according to Vines.

Applebees is providing a free meal to veterans or active duty military personnel who show proof of military service.

Places you can donate to DAV Forget-Me-Not include:

• Woody's Bar and Grill

• Longhorn Bar and Grill

• Mesquite Pit

• Garcia's

• El Paseo's

• Ma and Pa's Chuckwagon

• Souder's Family Diner (in Millsap)

• Carter's Bar and Grill

• Nancy's Italian Grill

• The Corner Stop on S.E. 6th Street