CHAPTER OFFICERS
John Kanalas
Commander
Our dedicated team works together to deliver exceptional results while maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity.
Camille Cardwell
Senior Vice
This position’s main objective is to work towards promoting harmony and friendship among members of the chapter.
Joel Jones
1st Jr Vice
Communicating with the members to insure that each is given a reasonable opportunity to state his/her views on matters being discussed or considered at meetings.
Randy Betz
2nd Jr Vice
Encourage loyalty to the United States, DAV and to the Chapter’s members.
Maryanne Bautsch
Adjutant
Responsible for: coordinating internal and external administrative requirements; tracking and monitoring critical administrative support.
JoAnn Sanchez-Cotto
Treasurer
Our financial professional responsible for managing an organization’s cash flow and financial records. Also ensures the proper handling of funds.
Michael Pippins
Senior Service Officer
Senior Service Officers lead teams, delegate tasks, and ensure the team meets performance goals in assisting veteran’s claims.
Ronald Lee Davis
Chaplain
Provides religious ministry and support to Veterans, acting as a source of reason, encouragement, and hope.
Terrence Robinson
Legislative Liaison
A legislative liaison exists to ensure that an organization stays aligned with laws, anticipates policy changes, and influences legislation when needed.
PHOTO ALBUM
Al Hall on left and Joe Muti on right , two WWII combat veterans. Both Great men. Both received citations from the French Government.
Al served in the Navy assisting transport and fire on D Day. Joe was wounded twice in Europe. Once by German artillery with severe shrapnel injuries to his leg and side. Then later the Germans blew up the hospital where he was recuperating causing burns to 90 % of his body. Joe, an Italian immigrant, tried to enlist when he was 18 yrs old. He was rejected because he did not speak or write English well enough. Four months later, he and five of his Italian buddies showed up at the enlistment center with “diplomas” from the NY City school system showing they could read and write English.
All six of them were kept together through their army time until each was wounded and separated from their other buddies in their infantry company.
IN MEMORY
Sal Bordonaro, Italian immigrant form New York City served WW2 in Army-was part of the 30th infantry division who fought at Normandy as well as other battles in Europe-earned Purple heart and numerous citations for his bravery.
Bill LaFranca, Vietnam Vet passed away less than six months after personally raising $2,500 for the chapter.
David Stone had a PhD in psychology and a PhD in theology. He was very instrumental in getting many of our veterans their PTSD award.
Earl Carlin served in the navy in WWII. He was actually at pearl Harbor when the attack took place.
Stacy Baatsch, fundraiser for the chapter and namesake of our annual college scholarship.
Jim Kraft, Air Force pilot – 4 times Commander of DAV Chapter 6.
A Bit of Chapter 6 History
2003: Monthly meetings were held at the VFW hall with approximately 8 participants.
2004: Chapter Commander Tim Hammons initiated efforts to obtain a van for transporting veterans to the VA hospital in Atlanta. With limited finances, extensive fundraising activities including door-to-door solicitation, contacting businesses, and letter campaigns were conducted. Within a year, $7,500 was raised. Skip Gray from Alpharetta matched the donation through his bank, enabling the acquisition of the van from the national DAV. The van was operational from 2005 until 2020 when the pandemic disrupted services, and subsequently, the van was returned for servicing but not recovered.
2005: Grants from Walmart and Sam’s Club significantly boosted our resources, eliminating the need for further solicitation. Each local store contributed $1,000 to $1,500 annually.
2005: Relocation to the Mansour Center on Roswell St., Marietta marked a pivotal development, providing a permanent office space and increasing monthly disability claims processed from one to ten.
2006: Monthly meeting attendance surged from 8-10 members to nearly 40, largely attributed to the Mansour Center’s conducive environment.
2008: Disability claims processes commenced at the unemployment office near Kennesaw College, operating for a couple of hours every Wednesday.
2009 to 2020: Continued chapter growth was aided by receiving grants from Walmart and Sam’s Club.
2019: Cobb County Government acquired the Mansour Center, necessitating relocation. Thanks to John Kanalas, we found our current premises at 1290 Kennestone Circle, in Marietta.
2020-2021: The Covid Pandemic restrictions limited activities and meetings during this period and we did not hold group events (adherence to federal guidelines).
2022: Resumption of monthly meetings saw membership growth supported by collections from Golden Corral fall collections.
2023-Present: Continued expansion in membership and community engagement, with increased disability claim services at the unemployment office. Currently, six certified service officers and three assistant service officers provide veteran counseling and claim filings.
In 2025, ongoing donations and membership expansion to about 2,200 individuals will allow us to assist around 150 veterans and their families monthly with disability claims, spousal benefits, homelessness, and other issues at our Marietta office.
(History from Spaghetti Rich Sestili)
Steps to Support Disabled American Veterans
1
The first step involves understanding the unique challenges faced by Disabled American Veterans, including health issues, financial difficulties, and social isolation. This awareness is crucial for providing effective support and resources tailored to their needs.
2
Next, we focus on connecting veterans with available resources, such as healthcare services, financial assistance programs, and community support groups. This step ensures that veterans are aware of the help they can access.
3
The third step emphasizes the importance of advocacy, where we encourage community members to stand up for veterans’ rights and needs. This can involve participating in local events or supporting legislation that benefits veterans.
4
In the fourth step, we highlight the role of education and awareness campaigns aimed at the general public. By informing society about the sacrifices made by veterans, we foster a more supportive environment for them.
5
Finally, we encourage ongoing engagement and feedback from veterans themselves. This ensures that the support provided is relevant and effective, allowing for continuous improvement in the services offered.