US Medical Supplies Blog

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a group that was founded over eighty years ago, in large part with the help of a celebrated war hero and judge named Robert Marx. This group was created, because at the time, due to the high cost of the First World War, the government was not adequately providing support for the over four million disabled and homeless veterans. Since its founding, this group has consistently fought for the rights of soldiers all across the country.

Originally, the DAV was called the Disabled American Veterans of the World War (DAVWW.) This group came to be after a Christmas party that was hosted by Judge Robert Marx. Many disabled veterans attended this party and over the course of the night, discussion turned to what they could do to help provide support for their brothers in arms who were not as fortunate. At the time, there were some federally funded programs, but congress had voted to cut funding to these programs and in many cases, they did not really go far enough.

While the Christmas party in 1919 was where the idea behind the DAV was born, September 25, 1920 is usually recognized as the organizations official founding date. It was on this Thursday in September that about 250 disabled veterans met in Cincinnati at the Hamilton County Memorial Hall.

Veterans from all across the United States met to discuss how they could properly organize the DAV in a manner that would benefit veterans from all over the United States. It was decided that they would meet again in Detroit in June.

Judge Robert Marx was not only a celebrated war hero, but he was also a very successful Democrat. In 1919, he was the only Democrat elected to office in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a result, he was asked by the Governor of Ohio, James Cox, to help him campaign. Cox was running for president that year, with Franklin D. Roosevelt as his running mate, and needed the support of a war veteran. Roosevelt, who was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Cox would not be successful, but this gave Marx a tremendous opportunity to help spread the ideals of the DAV.

As Marx traveled around the country on the Campaign Train, he helped promote Cox’s campaign during the day, but he always found time to meet with disabled veterans and let them know about the DAV. This helped unify the veterans, many of which had created their own support groups to help each other. Since Marx was a very talented speaker and also a celebrated war hero, he was able to win over the veterans he met with.

As a result of Marx’s efforts on the campaign trail and the hard work of the other members of the DAV, the first official convention held in Detroit was a resounding success. Over a thousand veterans made their way to the Tuller Hotel on June 27, 1921 to help show their solidarity and support for one another.

After a very moving prayer for their fallen comrades and those who could not be there, the convention began by laying out the framework that would steer the DAV. It was here that Judge Robert Marx was elected to head the DAV and they also decided on a permanent headquarters.

The convention drew tremendous coverage from the press and as well as acknowledgment from many ranking government officials, including the President, Warren Harding , and the Vice President, Calvin Coolidge. They held a parade later in the week, which would help further their winning of the hearts of the public.

As the soldiers marched with their head held high, many of whom were wearing their uniforms, there were many tears shed. Their presence entered the consciousness of the public and cemented the DAV’s role as protectors of the rights of American Veterans.