World War II documentary: made possible by Charitable Service Trust.

The deep voice strained as Dominic Spitale told radio producer Helen Borten about his combat experiences on Okinawa in 1945 and his worst fear. Tears filled his eyes as he talked about what his death or maiming would do to his mother. Other veterans talked about their service during World War 11 and about those who gave their lives or were grievously wounded in the fighting 60 years ago. The accounts are part of an hour-long radio documentary made possible by a DAV Charitable Service Trust grant.

Produced by Borten and supported by a 540,000 grant from the Trust, the program will tell the story of World War II in the Pacific. "The Silent Generation: From Saipan to Tokyo" will be distributed nationwide by Public Radio International for broadcast on Nov. 11, 2005.

From Saipan to the Japanese surrender, the program will cover the fighting in 1944 and 1945, from the perspective of those who experienced combat up close, from the air, at sea, and on the ground.

"I want listeners to feel the realities of war and hope [that] these veterans, and tens of thousands like them, kept pent up for decades," said Borten.

"Borten has won acclaim for her other documentaries distributed by National Public Radio and Public Radio International," said Charitable Service Trust Chairman Richard E. Marbes. She has written, produced, and narrated 43 documentaries, and is the recipient of numerous honors, including the prestigious Peabody Award."

Borten interviewed World War 11 veterans in several parts of our nation, many of them DAV members. The program will tell of their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to liberty during the Pacific battles.

"I'm amazed as much by their courage in picking up the pieces and moving on with their lives as with their valor in battle:" said Borten. "Dominic Spitale, shot through the temples and left for dead on the battlefield at Okinawa, got married back home while still recuperating, and had to check in the hospital at 10 p.m. each night of his honeymoon."

"Howard Mandel wanted to be a doctor before the war; but after his experiences as a corpsman he said he had seen enough death and went into pharmacology instead," she said. "Giles McCoy was aboard the USS Indianapolis in one of the greatest naval disasters in history and decided to save lives by becoming a family doctor in rural Missouri."

Spitale is a member of DAV Chapter 47 in Jamestown, N.Y., and McCoy is a member of DAV Chapter 86 in Flagler Beach, Fla.

"The Charitable Service Trust is pleased to make this important radio program possible, giving the people of our nation the opportunity to learn of the sacrifices of our World War 11 veterans," said Marbes. "We are also pleased that such a distinguished broadcast journalist is dedicated to telling the stories of those veterans."

The Trust also awarded a $15,000 grant to Creative Alternatives of New York, Inc., to continue a program of therapeutic theater groups conducted at the Bronx, N.Y., VA medical center.

The grant will be used to research, design, and implement a new arts therapy program for Iraq War veterans suffering from mental health problems and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The long-standing partnership between Creative Alternatives and the Bronx VA medical center has provided important therapeutic care for veterans. The three weekly improvisational workshops include both inpatients and outpatients suffering from a variety of mental health problems, physical disabilities, and alcohol and chemical dependencies.

The program had been funded through the VA's budget, but federal cutbacks in 1996 nearly eliminated funding, cutting off the service to several hundred veterans who needed therapeutic help. "The Charitable Service Trust was among the first to step up to help continue this vital program," said Marbes.

The Mt. Vernon, Mo., Veterans Home Assistance League received a 311,540 Trust grant to purchase four portable oxygen systems. Each 5 lb. over-the-shoulder oxygen unit gives respiratory distressed veterans increased mobility.

The veterans home, in operation for 22 years, provides skilled nursing care for veterans in southwest Missouri. It is one of seven long-term care facilities operated by the Missouri Veterans Commission.

The National Amputee Golf Association received a $10.000 grant from the Charitable Service Trust to support its 2005 "First Swing" seminars and clinics which provide disabled veterans exposure to golf as a rehabilitative tool.

"The seminars give therapists training in the basics of golf for disabled individuals:" said Marbes. "The follow-up clinics allow the therapists to help disabled veterans learn to play golf, enhancing the skills of both therapists and disabled golfers."

This year the National Amputee Golf Association held 32 seminars and clinics in 13 states. Last year, two clinics were conducted at Walter Reed Amy Medical Center for veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

A $54.000 Trust grant was made to the Department of Veterans Affairs Black Hills Healthcare System in Fort Meade. S.D., to provide support for two women's retreats.

The program, now in its 11th year. addresses the psychological, physical, social, and spiritual needs of women dealing with PTSD. The program provides women, both veterans and family members, with the opportunity to understand the issues surrounding PTSD and create new outlooks on relationships.

"Those participating look at problem areas in their lives and get help they need to make healthy changes or choices," said Marbes. "More than 500 women have participated in the retreats."

"The DAV Charitable Service Trust's commitment to these fine programs ensures that our nation's disabled veterans receive the help and support they need." said Marbes. "We thank those who annually contribute to the DAV Charitable Service Trust, which supports valuable and important initiatives that assist the men and women who have sacrificed for our nation."

Funds to support the Charitable Service Trust result from the generosity of donors through workplace campaigns like the Combined Federal Campaign, United Way, and other workplace giving programs.