All gifts of love: a ride, a blanket, a van.

For Helen Tucker, a member of Auxiliary Unit 16 in Jacksonville, N.C., her generosity toward veterans has always been an act of love. It was the love for her brothers, her husband and her son who all served in the uniforms of our nation. From the lap robes she carefully knits to taking lunch to veterans at the VA medical center, to volunteering as a DAV Transportation Network driver, that love came shining through.

Even though Helen Tucker no longer has the energy to volunteer as she once did, she still is a driving force in serving sick and disabled veterans. She has generously donated a Transportation Network van to Chapter 16 in memory of her late husband Davie, who died in 1979 as a result of service-connected disabilities.

"The van is a gift of love for my husband," she said. "It's letting him know that the life he chose to live is still honored."

"It is the kind spirit and generosity of Helen Tucker and many others like her that are the strength of the DAV," said National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. "She has given her time, her energy and herself to support our nation's veterans."

"Her generous donation has greatly improved our outstanding Transportation Network services in North Carolina," said National Director of Voluntary Services Edward E. Hartman. "The DAV is grateful for supporters like Helen Tucker who exemplify and honor all volunteers."

Helen describes herself as an active person always doing something, even after illness left her without much energy. As a volunteer driver before her illness, she would drive the roads of North Carolina taking patients to the VA medical centers and returning them home. "These people would have died if they didn't have someone to do something for them," she said.

She also knits lap blankets for patients in the VA medical centers. "When they are sitting in their beds and wheelchairs, they can feel the quilts and know that somebody made it for them with love," she said. "They knew it was made by somebody who cares."

When her volunteer driving days ended, she told the members of Chapter 16 to let her know when they needed a new van. "I had figured out a way to do something good," she said. "This was my idea."

When that day came, she made a donation last September to purchase the van in honor of her late husband through the DAV Transportation Network program. "I wanted to share what the DAV gave to me," Helen said. "I just figured that sharing was the way to go."

The DAV successfully represented Helen's claim for dependency and indemnity compensation in 1996, winning her retroactive payment for 10 years. "Nobody went to bat for me like they did," she said. "The DAV has been good to me and taken care of me."

The van she funded went right to work, making as many as three trips a day, but first the Chapter painted "In Memory of Davie Tucker" on the hood for all to see.

"I was very, very flattered," Helen Tucker said. "This is veterans helping veterans, and I like that. They drive by with the van every now and then, and it was in a parade around Veterans Day."

"It's a most generous donation," said Chapter 16 Senior Vice Commander Roy Martin. "We look forward to remembering [Davie Tucker] in the days to come."

"If it wasn't for people like Helen, we wouldn't be able to maintain the Transportation Network," said Transportation Coordinator John Cooney. "A lot of veterans would miss their appointments."

Although weakened by illness, Helen stays busy making lap robes for veterans who need them. "I think when people get sick, they lose a sense of direction," she said. "The blankets give them a little nudge here and there and make a difference in their life."

"I make colorful blankets to offset the drab hospital rooms," said Helen. "With animals, sports themes and flowered prints to help brighten their room. It's a hug for their minds."

"When I think about veterans, it's a happy thought," she said. "And I think the blankets bring happy thoughts to them. They feel closer to the outside."

"Helen Tucker is an outstanding example of an Auxiliary member and volunteer," said Hartman. "She has been generous without question and continues to serve our mission to build better lives for disabled veterans and their families."

"The DAWs mission is enhanced by Helen's service," said Wilson. "We are very pleased that the DAV is held so dearly by her, and she is valued by the DAV."