NEW NATIONAL DAV COMMANDER

Retired Minnesota Army National Guard veteran Stephen Whitehead was unanimously elected national commander of the more than 1 million member DAV (Disabled American Veterans) today at the organization’s 98th National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Whitehead is the first post-9/11 veteran chosen to lead the organization and will lead the organization as it marks its centennial in 2020. “As this great organization is set to turn 100-years-old, I couldn’t be prouder to be in a position to jumpstart DAV’s success for another century,” said Whitehead. Whitehead enlisted at the age of 17 in 1991, serving two overseas tours in Iraq with the Minnesota Army National Guard. In February of 2007, in Scania, Iraq, his base came under mortar attack and he sustained a mild traumatic brain injury. The Bronze Star recipient retired this year as Command Sergeant Major for the Cambridge-based 84th Troop Command in the Minnesota Army National Guard, after 27 years of military service. “Today wasn’t about me—today and the next year is all about our members and our fellow veterans all across this nation,” said Whitehead. “I am here to make sure all of their voices are heard and fight as hard as I can to protect their benefits and fight for legislation that positions all veterans in the best situation possible.” 5 EYEWITENSS NEWS asks newly elected national DAV commander, a Minnesotan, what he sees as the biggest challenge facing veterans right now… https://amp.kstp.com/articles/minnesota-veteran-stephen-whitehead-named-commander-of-disabled-american-veterans-group-5474951.html?cat=1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_KSTP&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR0kZV7XHUe2Bg5uK-0w4Zse1c6RFcIke4m7H7zHhH4QovZMD8m1NKe7gaM

New National DAV Commander Butch Whitehead (photo by MN DAV Chapter 39 Past Commander, Thomas Boling)