Disabled American Veterans Portsmouth Federal Chapter 22 public page

06/19/2026

Our very animated Chaplain.

06/18/2026

Women Veterans Retreat coming up in September. Please RSVP by July 15 to participate.

06/18/2026

Sometimes we grow by many. Sometimes we grow by a few. Sometimes we even grow by just one. But we continue to grow. Come out to see us. And help us to continue to grow.

06/18/2026

Before our general business meetings several recognitions were performed. Several LVAP volunteer hour milestones were reached including PDC Denice Williams who hit 20,000 LVAP volunteer hours.

Also our Commander Hinton received the 2026
Reggie Ruffin Homeless Veteran Assistance Award from the DAV Virginia department. Congrats to everyone.

Why Every LVAP Hour Matters** ⏳🇺🇸
To every volunteer who has picked up groceries for a homebound vet, helped a neighbor fix a porch, or spent an afternoon fundraising at a local event—**your time has a dollar sign and a mission attached to it.**
Through the Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP), the DAV tracks every single hour our members spend supporting veterans outside of the VA hospital walls. Whether you are doing home repairs, running errands, or helping with grassroots legislative efforts right here in Portsmouth, those hours are incredibly valuable.
Here is exactly why we need you to report your time:
📊 **We Report Directly to Congress & Donors:** When the DAV fights for veteran benefits on Capitol Hill, these numbers are our ammunition. We use your tracked hours to prove our massive footprint and impact to Congress, VA leadership, and donors.
💰 **Demonstrating Economic Savings:** By tracking these hours, we show the VA system the millions of dollars in economic savings DAV volunteers provide every year, protecting our seat at the advocacy table.
🎓 **Youth Scholarships & Recognition:** Tracking your hours allows us to recognize your hard work with milestone awards and gifts. It also helps local youth volunteers qualify for incredible awards like the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship.
**What counts as LVAP hours?**
Anything you do in the community to support a veteran or the chapter:
* Helping a vet with grocery shopping or errands
* Yard work, moving assistance, or home repairs for a comrade
* Local fundraising events or grassroots legislative outreach
* Chapter administration and neighborhood check-ins
**Don't let your hard work go uncounted!** Let’s make sure Portsmouth Chapter 22 gets credited for the incredible amount of sweat equity we put into our community.
If you have hours to report or aren't sure how to submit your LVAP time sheet, shoot us a direct message or drop a comment below and we will get you the formn

06/18/2026

Every refreshment is a family reunion. Come out and join your veteran family.

06/18/2026

Congrats to our Department volunteer leaders. Thank you for stepping up.

Congratulations, 2026–2027 Department Line Officers

Please join the DAV Department of Virginia in congratulating our 2026–2027 line officers:

Commander: Marcia Stewart
Senior Vice Commander: MaLinda Washington
1st Junior Vice Commander: James Smith
2nd Junior Vice Commander: Hallie Oxley Jr.
Judge Advocate: Chris Chaney
Chaplain: Patricia Coker-Bell
Treasurer: Bob Cox
Adjutant: Lisa Gregory

Thank you for answering the call to lead as we continue DAV’s mission of empowering disabled veterans and their families across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

We look forward to supporting this team as they work with our chapters, volunteers, and community partners to provide free benefits assistance, outreach, and advocacy for those who served.

06/18/2026

I wonder what refreshments we're having tonight. Come on out folks.

06/18/2026

Reminder of meeting tomorrow.

Next General Business Meeting (GBM): June 18, 2026 (refreshments at 1800 & GBM at 1900) Note: This will be our last meeting for the summer so please come out and mingle.

06/11/2026

Title: Your Right to Care—No Claims Required

🇺🇸Let’s clear up a major misconception right now: Seeking mental health treatment is a right for ALL veterans, regardless of whether you have ever had a single VA claim awarded. Too many brothers and sisters are suffering in silence because they think, "I don't have a service-connected rating for PTSD or depression, so I can't use the VA for mental health." That is completely false.

Here is the actual VA policy you need to know:
✅ 0% Rating? Deferred Claim? Never filed? It doesn’t matter. You do not need a disability rating to receive mental health care at the VA.
✅ Not even enrolled in VA healthcare? You are still covered. Under the federal COMPACT Act, if you are a veteran in an acute mental health crisis, you can walk into any VA or community emergency room and receive crisis care completely free of charge.
✅ Completely Confidential. Local Vet Centers offer 100% free counseling to combat veterans and MST survivors without requiring any connection to the main VA medical system or claims process.

If you are stressed, anxious, dealing with trauma, or just feeling completely overwhelmed by life—you have earned the right to heal. Don’t let a lack of paperwork keep you from getting the support you deserve. If you need help getting your foot in the door at the VA or finding local resources right here in Portsmouth, stop by the Chapter House or send us a message. We’ve got your back.📞 Immediate Support: Call 988, then Press 1 (Available 24/7, free, and confidential).

#988

06/08/2026