Eloise Ogden/MDN Ryan Family Dealerships’ owners, Kathleen and Michael Gaddie, were presented on Tuesday with a plaque thanking them for their company’s support to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 4 of Minot. From the left are Doug Benjamin, DAV Chapter 4 senior vice commander; Skip Gjerde, DAV Chapter 4 commander; and Kathleen and Michael Gaddie. The presentation kicked off the DAV Chapter’s annual fundraising raffle for veterans’ programs.

Ryan Family Dealerships were honored on Tuesday as a leader in supporting the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 4 of Minot.

Skip Gjerde, DAV Chapter 4 commander, and Doug Benjamin, senior vice commander, presented Ryan Family Dealerships’ owners, Kathleen and Michael Gaddie, with a plaque for their donation of a Traeger outdoor grill to help kick off the chapter’s fourth annual benefit fundraiser raffle. The company has and continues to support other DAV events.

In latter April, Ryan Family Dealerships plan to hold a breakfast for veterans at the GMC store at 1111 20th Ave. SW, with proceeds going to the benefit fundraiser. More details about the breakfast will be announced later.

The DAV Chapter’s fundraiser will conclude on May 6.

Gjerde said proceeds from the chapter’s annual fundraiser will go to assist North Dakota veterans through programs including the DAV Veterans Medical Appointment Transportation program, North Dakota Veteran Cemetery Foundation at Mandan, North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon, Minot State University Veterans Services, Wreaths Across America, North Central Veterans Stand Down and On the Water, Inc.

He said the Minot DAV Chapter holds programs honoring veterans residing in the area’s assisted living centers and nursing homes.

“We provide member representatives at local public events to educate veterans and the public on veteran issues. Our DAV National Service Officer in Fargo assists veterans across North Dakota when filing claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,” he added.

Membership in the DAV is open to those with a service-connected disability.

DAV Chapter 4 holds its business meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Veterans Room in the Ward County Administration Building, Minot. The group also holds a coffee social twice a month in the Veterans Room.

Anyone who would like more information about the chapter’s benefit fundraiser or to donate can email: minotdavchptr4@hotmail.com or call Skip Gjerde, commander of DAV Chapter 4, at 509-1834.

Disabled American Veterans

The Disabled American Veterans organization is dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. This is accomplished by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s veterans in Washington; and educating the public about the sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

– Source: National Disabled American Veterans