2009-2010: candidates for National Office.

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The following information is intended to inform the membership about the announced candidates for National Office. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement by the National Organization of any candidate to the exclusion of others who may stand for election. DAV members may announce their candidacy at any time, up to and including the time of election at our National Convention in Denver, Aug. 22-25.

To date, 10 DAV members have announced their candidacy for National Office for the 20092010 membership year. Elections will take place Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the National Convention in Denver, Colo. Biographical information presented below is offered to better acquaint you with the announced candidates.

Announcing he will seek the office of National Commander, National Senior Vice Commander Roberto Barrera said, "I welcome the opportunity to help guide the DAV through these troubling economic times. I can think of no finer mission than to build better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families. I know we face many challenges, and I know we can overcome them and be better for the effort. As your National Commander, I will accept any challenge and pledge to provide the leadership, integrity, quality and service demanded of and so richly deserved by our great organization.

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"I will diligently work to achieve all DAV goals through strategic insight, superior service and effective advocacy, and I will accomplish these ends with compassion, understanding and fair and decisive action.

"Our world is ever changing. I vow to meet the challenges those changes bring and resolve them in the best interest of disabled veterans, their families and survivors. I know, as you do, that the growing number of veterans disabled in the wars our nation's military men and women are engaged in is taking a toll on resources to care for them. I assure you I will work steadfastly to ensure those resources are available. Those we serve deserve no less, and I assure you I shall render no less to them.

"I pledge to stand at the forefront of our efforts on behalf of all men and women disabled in service to our nation. Whether they served on the sands of Iwo Jima, in the jungles of Vietnam, the streets of Baghdad or the mountains of Afghanistan; from Korea to Beirut, we shall be there for them with our legacy of unsurpassed service to provide needed assistance and a decent quality of life for our disabled comrades.

"I will encourage legislative advocacy promoting and securing benefits and services for disabled veterans and their families, volunteerism to give back to those who have given so much; and I will support the efforts of our unequaled corps of National Service Officers and Transition Service Officers.

"As your National Commander, I vow to uphold the integrity of the DAV and seek all possible innovation and opportunity to build better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families."

Other serving National Officers seeking election to National Office are Junior Vice Commanders Wallace E. Tyson, Donald L. Samuels, Larry A. Polzin and Mary J. Bencivenga; National Judge Advocate Michael E. Dobmeier; and National Chaplain Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr.

* Roberto Barrera currently serves as National Senior Vice Commander. He is a service-connected, combat-disabled Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

A life member of Chapter 5 in San Antonio and native of Del Rio, Texas, Barrera enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969. Later that year, he was seriously burned when an enemy bomb exploded beneath an armored personnel carrier in which he was traveling. He was burned over 40 percent of his body, resulting in serious facial burns and the loss of his right hand at the wrist and his left arm at the shoulder.

He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at St. May's University, and later, while teaching at Del Rio High School, a master's degree at Sul Ross University. Barrera's career has also included positions of leadership and management as a juvenile probation counselor and Family Support Center Director at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio.

Barrera is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. They include: the DAV Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year for 1998; LIFE's (Leaders In Furthering Education Foundation) Presidential Unsung Hero Award for 1998; Disabled Veteran of the Year for the State of Texas in 1990 and again in 1998 and Department of Defense Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award for 1997.

* Wallace E. Tyson currently serves as National 1st Jr. Vice Commander. He is a service-connected Vietnam-era veteran with more than 12 years of service in the U. S. Army.

Born in Oak City, N.C., Tyson is a life member of Chapter 46, Fayetteville. Following high school, he attended St. Petersburg Junior College in Clearwater, Fla., before enlisting in the Army in 1972, where his assignments included the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Armored Division and 37th Transportation Group in Germany; 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas and the U. S. Army Recruiting Command.

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He joined the DAV in 1985 following medical retirement as a sergeant first class. He originally served as a Chapter Service Officer and later as Chapter Adjutant.

While serving as a DAV volunteer, Tyson earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Methodist University at Fayetteville in 1989.

Tyson was appointed Adjutant for the Department of North Carolina in June 1989. At the National level, he has served as 9th District Executive Committeeman, a member of the National Executive and Finance Committees and Chairman of the National Finance Committee. He has served as a member of the Interim Committee on Constitution and Bylaws; State Commanders and Adjutants Association President (2002-2003) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Service Foundation. He also served as President of the North Carolina Veterans Council, was selected North Carolina Disabled Veteran of the Year for 1995 and 1996 and was presented with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr.

* Donald L. Samuels currently serves as National 2nd Jr. Vice Commander. He is a service-connected, combat-disabled veteran who served in the Vietnam War and is a retired DAV National Service Officer.

Samuels served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1960 to 1969, when he was discharged due to gunshot wounds received while leading his infantry platoon in a ground assault against North Vietnamese Regulars. His wounds resulted in the partial loss of use of his right hand.

Following the 2,600-hour VA Vocational Chapter 31 Training Program, Samuels was assigned as Supervisor at the DAV National Service Office in Nashville, serving in that capacity from 1970 until his retirement in 1989.

In addition to his university studies, Samuels completed two years of law school and has attended special finance schools. Since 1989 he has served as the Assistant Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs.

A life member of Chapter 3 in Nashville, Samuels has a wide variety of Chapter and Department positions, including Chapter and Department Commander. He currently serves as Department Adjutant, Hospital Service Coordinator and Department Service Officer Director. He also is a member of the National Legislative Interim Committee.

* Larry A. Polzin currently serves as 3rd Jr. Vice Commander. He is a service-connected Vietnam-era veteran.

A native of Colorado, Polzin entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1961 after graduating from high school. Following basic training, he served as a member of the 1st Marine Division, 1st Engineer Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif. His military service continued until disability retirement in 1966.

Polzin joined the professional staff of the DAV as an NSO in 1972. He was promoted to Assistant Supervisor at the Los Angeles National Service Office. He retired in 1998 after more than 25 years of service as an NSO.

Polzin is a life member of Chapter 73, Woodland Hills, Calif., where he has been active in a variety of positions. At the Department level, he has served as Jr. Vice Commander, Sr. Vice Commander and was elected Department Commander in 1996.

Polzin is actively involved in veterans' issues at the state and national level. His service has included Chairman of the Department of California Finance Committee, National Executive Committee and various other National Interim Committees.

* Mary J. Bencivenga currently serves as 4th Jr. Vice Commander. She is a service-connected disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Navy from 1981 to 1987. Bencivenga served as an air traffic controller and was injured while on duty at the Naval Air Station, Barber's Point, Hawaii, during a readiness alert. She was hospitalized for her injuries and was not returned to duty for several weeks.

Following her honorable discharge from the Navy as an E-4, Bencivenga continued her education, earning a master's degree in education and embarking on a teaching career that included tutoring students with disabilities.

A life member of Chapter 24 in Toms River, N.J., Bencivenga is a nationally accredited County Veterans Service Officer and volunteers at the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau near her home. She has held a succession of Chapter and Department offices, including Department Commander and Assistant Adjutant of the Department of New Jersey.

Additionally, she has served as Chapter Legislative Officer and Department Sergeant-at-Arms and has held positions on numerous DAV Committees, including National Convention Credentials Committee Chair for 2005-2007.

* Michael E. Dobmeier currently serves as National Judge Advocate. He was elected to that post during the 2002 National Convention in Dallas.

Prior to being elected National Judge Advocate, Dobmeier was appointed Assistant to the National Judge Advocate in March 2002. He later completed the term of National Judge Advocate then held by Edward G. Galian, who passed away on May 11, 2002.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Dobmeier suffered second and third-degree burns over more than 30 percent of his body when sprayed with hot oil in an explosion aboard the submarine USS Trigger in 1972. Following his discharge from the Navy later that year, Dobmeier signed up as a life member of Chapter 2 in Grand Forks, N.D. His active participation in DAV activities and leadership led him to be appointed or elected to nearly all Chapter and Department offices and positions, including selection as the 1985 DAV Outstanding Member of the Department of North Dakota.

At the National level, he was chosen to serve on the National Executive and Finance Committees in 1994. He was elected National 4th and 3rd Jr. Vice Commander consecutively in 1995 and 1996; National 1st Jr. Vice Commander in 1997; National Senior Vice Commander in 1998; and National Commander in 1999.

A successful business owner, Dobmeier also is president of the North Dakota Veterans Home Foundation.

* Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr. currently serves as National Chaplain. He is a disabled veteran who entered military service in the U.S. Army in 1966 as an infantryman. Following active duty, he joined the Army Reserve as a chaplain's assistant and served in the Texas Army National Guard, retiring in 2003.

Dr. Edwards is a life member of Chapter 128 in Austin, Texas. He has held the post of Chaplain with various Chapters and served as Chaplain for the Department of Texas for 12 years. He was elected National Chaplain at the 2007 National Convention in New Orleans.

Edwards earned a Master of Ministry degree from the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Ind. He was commissioned as a chaplain in 1976 and again served on active duty with the Army until 1979. He then began service with the Texas National Guard, earning a Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

He also served as Chief of Chaplains for the VA's South Texas Health Care system and currently is Chief of Chaplains for the State Guard Association of the United States and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 2007.

Also announcing they will seek election to National Office are Joseph W. Johnson, Michael Knutson and Ernest Hume.

* Joseph W. Johnson is a 100-percent disabled veteran of the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars.

Johnson joined the U.S. Army in 1966, serving first as an enlisted soldier and later as a commissioned officer. His career in the Army spanned 28 years and included service as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 7th U.S. Corps and Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Currently Commander of the Department of Ohio, Johnson is a Past Commander of Clermont County Chapter 63 in Ohio. His other elected and appointed offices included the National Interim Legislative Committee and Trusteeship of his Department's employee pension fund. He is also active in various Chapter and Department VA Voluntary Service programs.

In his bid for leadership in the DAV's National Organization, Johnston brings 16 years of experience in management and finance. Holding master's degrees in business and executive management from Central Michigan University and the Army's General Staff College, Johnston has worked for nonprofit organizations since military retirement. During the past 10 years, he has served as a member of Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, the largest social service organization in the tri-state metropolitan area. He currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer of the organization.

* Michael Knutson is a service-connected disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer in the medical service corps. He is a life member of Chapter 4, Saginaw, Mich.

After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University in 1974, Knutson served in the Army from 1974 to 1996. He spent more than 11 years on active duty and 10 years in the Army Reserve and retired a lieutenant colonel in 1996. His military service included overseas tours, as well as assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 2nd Armored Division.

Following retirement from the military, Knutson began a career with the VA, where he has served as a Human Resources Management Specialist, Veterans Benefits Administration Rating Specialist and Director of Human Resources at several VA facilities. He was ordained as a Chaplain in 2008 and currently serves as a Chaplain at the VA medical center in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Knutson is the recipient of the 1994 Wisconsin Vietnam Veteran Outstanding Achievement Award and has received two commendations from the Governor of Michigan for efforts in hiring veterans, especially disabled veterans.

Knutson currently serves as Chaplain for the Department of Michigan. He has also served as a member of the Department POW/MIA Committee, Chapter Chaplain and as a member and chairman of the Department Employment Committee.

* Ernest Hume currently serves as Adjutant for the Department of Washington. He is a service-connected disabled Vietnam-era veteran who served in the U.S. Navy from 1971 to 1983.

Hume joined the DAV as a life member in 1986. He has held a variety of elected and appointed Chapter positions, including 15 years as a Chapter Service Officer, three years as Commander, Adjutant and as a member of the State Executive Committee. In addition to his current position as Department Adjutant, Hume's Department service has included two years as Department Commander, three years as Service Director, four years as Judge Advocate, three years as Service Coordinator and two years as Transportation Director, as well as being elected to Junior and Senior Vice Commander offices. Nationally, he has served as a National Executive Committee alternate, on the Nominating Committee as a member and alternate, as a member of the Interim Membership Committee and various other committees. He serves as Deputy National Chief of Staff.

Among his many activities in service to veterans and their families, Hume served three years on his county veterans' advisory board and currently serves as board chairman; has participated in stand downs for homeless veterans; and is active in training and leadership within the Department of Washington.

The National Convention Committee on Nominations will be available to receive additional canidates who present themselves at the National Convention in Denver beginning Aug. 22, 2009.