Disabled American Veterans (DAV) | Chapter 55 | Madison County, KYAuthor & Educator
We’d like to extend a special thank-you to Viking Bags for their generous donation of a premium motorcycle bag to be raffled off at our upcoming DAV Chapter 55 fundraising event.
Your support helps us continue serving local veterans and their families — and we’re proud to work with organizations that share our mission of giving back to those who served.
Learn more about Viking Bags and their Motorcycle Tour Packs on their website:
https://www.vikingbags.com/collections/motorcycle-tour-packs
Dear Chapter Members,
We’d like to invite you to two upcoming events for fellowship, food, and opportunities to connect with veterans in our community:
📅 Wednesday, October 1, 2025
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Arcadian Cove Assisted Living, 532 Cady Drive, Richmond, KY 40475
Menu: Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread
👉 RSVP to Ally DeMarcus at ademarcus@arcadiansl.com or call 859-544-4016.
This lunch will take place the first Wednesday of every month.
📅 Saturday, October 4, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Madison County Veterans Center, 1215 W Main Street, Richmond, KY
Arrive 15–20 minutes early to sit in on the DAV District Meeting. Following the meeting, we’ll enjoy a Sober BBQ with hamburgers and hot dogs as the main course. Veterans and families are encouraged to stay and enjoy the facilities until 5:00 PM.
Hosted by DAV Kentucky’s 6th District.
We hope to see you at these gatherings as we continue to build camaraderie and strengthen our veteran community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Travis L. Martin
Adjutant, DAV Chapter 55
We invite you to bring in a photo for our “Wall of Warriors,” a special collection of photos displayed in the Madison County Veterans Center. This dedicated space honors our chapter members during their time in uniform, serving as a tribute to their bravery and service. Each photograph tells a unique story of commitment and sacrifice.
About the Wall of Warriors:
How to Participate:
Help us honor the incredible stories of our veterans and their service. We look forward to adding your photo to our Wall of Warriors!
Learn more about our Wall of Warriors and other featured programs on our members page.
#DAV55 #VeteranSupport #WallOfWarriors #HonorOurVeterans #VeteranCommunity
The DAV55 Chapter SmartGuide is an essential resource designed to provide local veterans and their families with all the information they need about the services and programs our chapter offers. This guide is your one-stop source for navigating the comprehensive support available through DAV Chapter 55.
What’s Inside the DAV55 Chapter SmartGuide?
Why You Should Download and Share the DAV55 Chapter SmartGuide: The DAV55 Chapter SmartGuide is more than just a resource; it’s a tool to help veterans and their families access crucial support and services. By downloading and sharing this guide, you can help ensure that every veteran in our community is aware of the benefits and programs available to them.
Get Your Copy Today: Download the DAV55 Chapter SmartGuide now and stay informed about the extensive support and services available to you. Empower yourself and your fellow veterans by sharing this essential resource.
Are you passionate about golf or eager to learn the game? Our DAV Chapter 55 Golf Program offers a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, build camaraderie, and support fellow veterans. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a complete beginner, we welcome everyone to join our vibrant golfing community.
About Our Program:
How to Get Involved:
Join us on the green and be part of a community that values support, friendship, and fun. We look forward to golfing with you!
#DAV55 #VeteranSupport #GolfProgram #VeteransGolf #CommunityEvents
In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, SMVF Talks is hosting a special VA SAVE training to raise awareness and provide practical steps to support those at risk of suicide within the Service Member, Veteran, and Family (SMVF) community.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, September 12th
Time: 6:00 PM (EST)
Location: Online via Zoom (link and QR code below)
The session will be led by Megan Vanoli, Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator with the Lexington VA. The VA SAVE training aims to help attendees recognize the signs of suicide risk, ask the right questions, and encourage life-saving help-seeking behaviors. The acronym SAVE stands for
Signs of suicidal thinkingAsk the person about suicide Validate the person’s feelings Encourage them to get helpThis training is especially valuable for providers, professionals, and anyone interested in learning how to support the SMVF population. SMVF Talks takes place on the second Thursday of every month at 6:00 PM EST and offers a valuable opportunity to learn from veterans and experts on topics relevant to the military community.
Please share this important information with your contacts and help raise awareness.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Link: Join Here Meeting ID: 812 5398 2596Passcode: 205582Scan the QR Code Below to Join:
RSVP:
RSVP is not required, but appreciated. Please send an RSVP to info@biak.us.
Brought to You By:
Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky (BIAK) Kentucky Friends of VeteransVisit http://www.biak.us for more information.
For more updates, follow SMVF Talks on Facebook: SMVF Talks/Facebook
For more information or to get help, contact:
Heath Dolen
Project Manager, SMVF Behavioral Health
Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities
Phone: (502) 782-6160
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Help spread the word to assist Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.
This Sunday, September 8th, we unite as a nation to recognize 988 Day, a day designed to bring awareness to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—a lifeline for our brothers and sisters in arms. The challenges veterans face are unique, and so is the support offered through 988, where trained responders are ready to listen, 24/7.
SAMHSA has developed a powerful toolkit to help us spread the message. You can access it here: 988 Day Toolkit. Let’s flood our social media and veteran networks with this message. Every post could save a life.
Help us amplify this important message by using Kentucky’s 988 logo in your posts: Download Logo.
Take a moment to see how 988 is already making a difference here in Kentucky. The public-facing 988 dashboard tells the story of the lives we’re saving: View Dashboard.
By sharing these resources, you’re not just spreading awareness—you’re providing lifesaving support. This is a battle we fight together. Share the message, stand up for your fellow veterans, and let them know there’s always help at 988.
⚠️ Your Voice Saves Lives
📞 Dial 988 – Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line
Best regards,
Your DAV Chapter 55
Empowering Communities with Suicide Prevention Skills
Join us for the DAV55 Fall 2024 Workshop Series, an enriching set of training sessions aimed at enhancing community resilience and mental health awareness. These workshops, led by the EKU Trauma and Suicide Prevention Team, provide invaluable lessons on crisis management, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care, equipping attendees with essential skills to support themselves and others in times of need.
Description: The QPR workshop equips individuals with the skills to act as gatekeepers in suicide prevention. The session covers the three critical steps of QPR: Questioning someone about suicidal thoughts, Persuading them to seek help, and Referring them to appropriate resources. Participants will learn to identify warning signs, communicate effectively, and provide crucial support to those in need, thus playing a pivotal role in preventing suicides within the community.
Date & Time:
September 14, 2024, at 11:00 AM (Potluck meal begins immediately following the monthly DAV meeting)
Location:
Madison County Veterans Center, 1215 W Main Street, Richmond, KY
Details:
Contact Information:
For more information, please email contact@dav55.org.
Registration Link:
Register Here
Dear DAV Chapter 55 Members,
We wanted to share some important upcoming events and resources that may be of interest to you. While our chapter is not directly responsible for these events, they offer valuable opportunities for veterans to connect, learn, and receive support.
Attached Files:
We encourage you to review the attached documents and participate in any events or programs that may benefit you or other veterans in our community.
Paul Alan Mazurek serves as the Judge Advocate for DAV Chapter 55. Fun facts about Paul:
Learn more about Paul and our team on the Staff page.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) | Chapter 55 | Madison County, KY 