Swampscott Disabled Veterans Members To Serve On National Committees

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A pair of Swampscott/Lynn Disabled Veterans of America officers were chosen for national committees at the recent 2023 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Commander Jeffrey Blonder was selected to serve on the Employment Committee and Adjutant Andrea Gayle-Bennett was selected to serve on the General Resolutions and Bylaw Committee. These appointment acknowledged the commitment that the E. F. Gilmore DAV has to serve their fellow veterans.

"I always leave our conventions reenergized by our members, and this year was no exception," Gilmore DAV Commander Blonder said. "It's obvious how much each one of our members cares for their fellow veterans. They are committed to putting in the hard work necessary to make sure each veteran they encounter has a chance to live life to the fullest extent possible.

"There's no doubt DAV is poised to have an extremely successful year helping and growing our community."

Comedian and activist Jon Stewart, who has been a prominent advocate for years for burn pit legislation and getting Congress to pass the PACT Act, received the DAV Bugle Award for his outstanding media contributions in support of disabled veterans.

"If you had offered me a flugelhorn or a French horn, I may not have accepted it," joked Stewart.

Stewart received the award for his years of committed involvement in pressing federal legislators to address military toxic and environmental exposures. He was most prominently in the public spotlight during the summer of 2022 when congressional logjams nearly scuttled the PACT Act’s passing. He also praised DAV members for their advocacy role.

"Through your tireless efforts, the claims process for veterans is way up, and people are finally going to be able to take advantage of the benefits that they themselves have earned," Stewart said.

Perennial convention favorite Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band took to the stage Monday night. Sinise and his band entertained attendees with hit song covers from the past several decades, ending with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)