A renewed commitment: from the National Commander

DAV Magazine, Sept-Oct, 2009 by Roberto Barrera

Roberto Barrera, a combat-disabled Vietnam veteran, was elected National Commander by a unanimous vote of the delegates to the 88th National Convention in Denver, Colorado on August 25, 2009. Following are highlights of his acceptance remarks, which were received by the membership with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation at its conclusion.

Thank you all very much for this humbling opportunity to serve you. It is a great honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously. You can be sure that I will put my all into carrying on the great traditions of this organization, working tirelessly and standing up for veterans by ensuring that we leave no veteran behind!

Almost 40 years ago, I was one of eight Marines trapped in the fiery wreckage of a bombed personnel carrier.

The enemy set off a bomb as the amtrac rolled over it. The explosion ruptured the fuel tanks sending a wall of flame roaring through the carrier.

We lived because our comrades pulled us from the wreckage. They rolled me in rice paddy water to put out the flames. I was horribly burned over 40 percent of my body. As we waited for the helicopter to come for us, I looked to the sky and asked myself, "What am I doing here so far from home?"

My home in Del Rio, Texas was a world away, and I had no idea of what would become of my life, a life that was changed forever.

But I'm here on this momentous day because others looked out for me. I'm here because my comrades refused to leave their wounded behind. I'm here because others cared enough to make a difference in my life.

You too are here because you care enough to make a difference; you are here to build better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families. And I am living proof that it works.

When I think of all of the people who have loved and helped me throughout my journey, my heart is filled with joy to know so many cared.

My mother and father were my pillars of strength; their love and devotion just can't be measured. My family and friends have always been there for me. And I am forever thankful for the day I met my wonderful wife, Maricelia. She has loved me unconditionally.

There has been an army of others who have helped me to rebuild my life. There were so many doctors, nurses and therapists that I lost count of them. Counselors, teachers and vocational rehab specialists have all made a difference in my life.

I owe so much to those who gave me the opportunity to earn my way; the mentors who gave me the benefit of their wisdom; and those whose help I sought and who believed in me.

And I certainly would not be here if it weren't for the encouragement and support of the great Department of Texas. DAV members in the Lone Star State have been by my side every step of the way.

There is someone else I want to mention: Captain Starla Sweda. She was a powerful force in my recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center. At one point she told me, "Bobby, because you are different, people will stare. You can get out there and deal with it or you can stay home."

Well Captain Sweda, thanks to your words of wisdom, I dealt with it. And along the way, I discovered my other family--the DAV.

In the DAV I discovered a family of disabled veterans who, through friendship, compassion and mutual support, are dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families.

This visionary mission is carried out through our core values of service, quality, integrity and leadership. With our mission and values so well-defined, we seek nothing more than that which we have earned through our service and sacrifice to this great nation, and we will accept nothing less.

We are our brother's and our sister's keeper. Together we have a strong and vital role to educate and advocate on behalf of all disabled veterans.

It is also our charge to locate, gather and welcome all disabled veterans into our organization.

Right now we have more than 1.2 million members. Like all of you, I am proud to say more than 800,000 of our members are full-paid life members. And I can think of no more worthy endeavor than to make a life-long commitment to our mission. Our solidarity is a light that can be seen all across the nation, from the town hall to the halls of Congress.

Membership strength must always be a priority. And you and I have an obligation to convince those who remain part-life members and those with a trial membership to become full-paid life members.

We must also reach out to the remaining two million disabled veterans who are eligible for membership and educate them about the DAV. I truly believe they will want to join us when they learn more about who we are and what we do.

You and I need to tell them about the free claims assistance and counseling for disabled veterans and their families provided by our professional National Service Officers. We are the ones to let them know that active duty military men and women have a friend in DAV Transition Service Officers, who can offer assistance and counseling before soldiers transition back into the civilian world.