During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Don Sheerer’s dad saw the glory of the flag raised atop Mt. Suribachi. But he was also severely wounded.

So, when Don headed to Vietnam, his dad was proud, but worried. He told Don, “Don’t volunteer, Son. Don’t volunteer for anything.” But Don didn’t listen.

Don signed up for all the toughest assignments, and on one of those, disaster struck. He triggered a landmine with his foot, then took two Viet cong bullets.

But during his recovering, a WWII vet reached out to him. That veteran provided the inspiration for the work Don now does to reach out to today’s veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq.

You can reach out to these heroes, too – when you give to the DAV today!