DAV marks historic life membership milestone.

The Disabled American Veterans has marked one of the most important achievements in the organization's 86-year history by reaching the goal of one million fully paid life members. That milestone was made on April 28, when Brian K. Thomas, of Gulf Port, Miss., became the one millionth fully paid life member.

Thomas, a disabled veteran who served as a petty officer first class in the U.S. Navy during the Persian Gulf War and the global war on terror, was initially recruited as a member of Chapter 5 in Gulfport, Miss., by Chapter Adjutant Samuel C. Bordeaux on March 3, 2005. Little more than a year later, he paid his remaining life membership dues.

"This is a huge achievement for the DAV," National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson Said. "Reaching one million fully paid life members has been an objective throughout our organization for many years. It demonstrates to all the trust and faith that one million disabled men and women have in our organization. One million fully paid life members now speak for life with one unified voice on behalf of disabled veterans and their families.

"We are now at the point to perpetuate ourselves. But even at this monumental juncture, we cannot rest on our laurels. This is the impetus that launches us into the future to build better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families--this is a milestone each of us can be duly proud of achieving."

"I recall, more than two decades ago, when our organization was struggling to reach a total strength of one million members. Our slogan was 'One Million Strong to Right the Wrong ... But You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet!' Well, now you've seen it," said National Commander Paul W. Jackson.

"The significance of one million fully paid life members is staggering in its implications to our mission of building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families," said Commander Jackson. "It tells our elected leaders that we are not only dedicated to protecting and improving services and benefits for disabled veterans and their families today, but for the rest of our lives. We are in this for the long haul, and we will not rest so long as a single disabled veteran lives."

One million fully paid life members also tells those who so generously support the DAV that our members are unified in the cause and permanently committed to assisting disabled veterans and advocating on their behalf.

"I deeply appreciate and commend everyone who has worked so hard to make this goal possible during my term as your National Commander," Jackson said. "Each and every man and woman who recruited a member and every member who paid their life membership in full made this achievement possible, and I thank you."

Commander Jackson urged members to celebrate this monumental achievement, but said it was important to remember how critical it remains for the organization to continue reaching out to more young members who will ensure that the organization remains vital and serves the next generation of disabled veterans.

"There is no doubt the DAV is the greatest veterans' service organization to ever exist. I also know our legacy is to the future, and the future depends on the new generation of disabled veterans whose bodies, minds and blood have paid dearly for our freedom," Jackson said.

"Younger disabled veterans are joining our ranks, and now is the time to make them welcome and give them meaningful work to accomplish on behalf of their comrades. Now is the time to focus on recruiting still more young disabled veterans to maintain and build on our strength. And yes, now is the time to provide training and leadership opportunities to these young men and women, because they are critical to the future success of our great organization," Jackson said.

"From the day I accepted this position, the Commander's mandate has been a driving force behind everything we do," said National Membership Director Anthony L. Baskerville. "We were confident we'd achieve this momentous goal. With this feather in our hat, our recruiters around the country are already renewing their efforts to attract and recruit younger veterans, and our leaders are taking initiatives to motivate and unite our members all over the country."