DAV Chapter 82

08/27/2026

Chapter 82 members welcome Chapter 101 to the family! We are so excited grow our veteran community together!

08/11/2026

Veterans Village has some needs for August!

08/04/2026

From Chapter 82 Commander Dave Grant:

Recently, I read an excellent article by Karen Jowers in Military Times titled, "Senators question whether military pharmacy program is the best deal for beneficiaries."

The article raises an important question that should concern every TRICARE beneficiary—not whether mail-order pharmacies have a place, but whether the current system provides a level playing field and the best care for military retirees, service members, and their families. During a Senate hearing, concerns were raised about the potential conflict of interest created when the administrator of the TRICARE pharmacy benefit also owns and operates the mail-order pharmacies that stand to benefit from those decisions.

As Commander of DAV Chapter 82, I believe this issue deserves serious congressional oversight. Veterans and military retirees earned these benefits through their service. They deserve confidence that decisions affecting their healthcare are based on access, quality of care, and value—not on whether one company can steer beneficiaries toward its own services.

For many of our older and disabled veterans, a trusted local pharmacist is more than a place to pick up prescriptions. It is a healthcare partner who knows their medications, catches potential problems, and provides personal service that cannot always be replicated through the mail.

In the past, I have been told that because TRICARE is administered by the Department of Defense, this matter falls outside a Member of Congress's purview. Respectfully, I disagree. Congress authorizes and funds these programs and has both the authority and the responsibility to conduct oversight when questions are raised about fairness, competition, transparency, and the stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

This is not a partisan issue. It is a veterans' issue.

I encourage our elected officials—regardless of party—to carefully review the concerns raised during this hearing and ensure that the TRICARE pharmacy program serves the best interests of those who served our nation.

Karen Jowers' article is well worth reading:
Military Times – "Senators question whether military pharmacy program is the best deal for beneficiaries"

08/04/2026

Small part of DAV National Convention. It has been a great week. Orlando Fla.
DAVA (Auxiliary) Forget Me Not Luncheon, Fun Night Concert with the band " The War and Treaty"

08/04/2026

07/30/2026

At the DAV, we meet veterans where they are at. Many of our members show up to help out at Veterans Village, and it is rewarding to see them succeed as they go through the program.

We're proud to recognize the power of partnership in serving those who served our country.

On behalf of Volunteers of America of Florida, our Program Manager presented Ashley Abbott, DAV representative, with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of DAV's continued generosity and partnership.

DAV's ongoing support helps us provide critical resources and services to the veterans in our community, making a lasting impact on their journey toward stability and independence. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to our mission and for standing alongside us in honoring and supporting those who have served.

Thank you, Ashley and DAV, for your dedication to improving the lives of our nation's veterans. Together, we are making a difference.

07/28/2026

Chapter 82 members showing up for the veteran community!