Just as our troops provide cover for the wounded on the field of battle, we must provide cover for those who come home sick and injured. That's as true for a WWII sailor wounded on deck in the South Pacific as it is for a Marine bloodied in Afghanistan or Iraq only yesterday.

But providing cover for America's disabled veterans present a challenge today. After seven years of continuous war, many Americans go on about their lives as if nothing is happening in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In a economy that is currently touching everyone's life in some personal way, it's all too easy to turn inward, focusing on personal needs...to forget the history of wars long past, as well as current events on the other side of the globe.

We must put patriotism into action by caring for those who bear the scars of war.

Be assured that support of the DAV Charitable Service Trust is used with the greatest efficiency. Only 5% of our 2012 expenditures were used for fundraising and administration, demonstrating extremely responsible management of the funds entrusted to the Trust. Expenditures for program services for our disabled heroes represented 95% of our total costs last year.

As the planes carry the wounded and sick home each day, we appreciate your being there to help us build new lives of dignity and respect for them.