DAV Executive Assistant Sandra Buchanan retires.

Sandy Buchanan's phone rang off the hook all day on Thursday and Friday, the 12th and 13th of October. Well-wishers from throughout the DAV were calling to wish her a wonderful retirement, as the career of Executive Assistant to the National Adjutant and the Executive Director National Headquarters came to a close after 42 successful years of devoted service to the DAV.

Sandra "Sandy" L. Buchanan began her career with the DAV on Oct. 12, 1964 at the age of 18. William Dwyer was the National Commander, and the National Headquarters was still located at 1425 E. McMillan Street in Cincinnati. It was the same month that DAV Magazine announced the death of World War I hero Alvin C. York, and the DAV Idento-Tag Service was still in operation.

From the beginning, Sandy worked to build better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families. With commitment, compassion, intelligence and hard work, she advanced steadily in the organization, ultimately achieving the organization's highest administrative assistant position. Along the way she gained the confidence and respect of all with whom she worked and had contact.

"Words can hardly express the devotion Sandy brought to the DAV," National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson said. "Sandy lived the values of service, quality, integrity and leadership to which all members of the DAV and its professional staff aspire. The DAV is the world's greatest veterans service organization because Sandy Buchanan and people like her made it so."