On March 31, 2004, an extremist mob ambushed and killed four U.S. Blackwater civilian contractors inside Fallujah. They burned the bodies and hung them from the trestle bridge before a large crowd. Images and video from this spread across the world.
U.S. forces mounted a hasty response to the killings, launching the First Battle of Fallujah also known as Operation Valiant Resolve on April 3, 2004. By April 9, the Iraqi government called off the response, even as the forces made strong progress, taking over a third of the city.
They turned the operation over to an 1,100-person Sunni security force known as the Fallujah Brigade. They didn’t last. Instead of continuing the fight, they laid down their weapons and disbanded. Many joined the insurgency.
Twenty-seven U.S. service members were killed during this operation.
Each veteran faces unique challenges—immediately and in the years after service. Here are some of the challenges many veterans encounter and ways DAV can help.
Navigating the Complex World of Benefits
Benefits and policies for veterans continue to change. The system can be hard to navigate. It takes knowledge and persistence to understand benefits, file the right claims and see the process through.
The Changing Needs of Veterans
The ever-changing face of the military and of service itself means that our veterans require individualized support over their lifetime, depending on when, where and how they served.
Making the Move to Civilian
Transitioning to civilian life after the military can be a tough time for veterans. “Finding the mission again”—creating a purposeful life through employment, service or education—is critical,and transition struggles can carry serious risks.
There are nearly 20 million veterans in the U.S. Each one has been affected by their service. DAV helps veterans of every generation address their challenges and achieve personal victories, great and small, to better thrive in civilian life.
With your support, DAV and our million members are keeping the promise to America’s veterans. Here’s our impact in 2022 at a glance.
in earned benefits received
rides to medical appointments
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claims filed in 2022
veterans helped each year
Your donation can help our nation’s heroes in so many ways—emergency relief, events, employment help and more. We couldn’t do any of it without you and your support. Thank you
