[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 180 (Wednesday, November 14, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO GARRY J. AUGUSTINE

 Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today I am proud to recognize in 
the Record, Disabled American Veterans, DAV, executive director Garry 
J. Augustine, who has a long record of service to our Nation's 
veterans.
  Mr. Augustine has not only dedicated his life to serving veterans, he 
is a veteran himself. He served in the U.S. Army, enlisting after high 
school graduation in 1969. Mr. Augustine served as a member of the 
198th Infantry Brigade in South Vietnam, where he was seriously injured 
by a land mine explosion. After spending 18 months at Walter Reed Army 
Medical Center recovering from his injuries, Mr. Augustine was 
medically discharged from the U.S. Army in 1972.
  Mr. Augustine has been a member of DAV for 46 years, and he has 
worked for DAV for the past 30 years. His first job with DAV was in 
1988 as a hospital service coordinator for the Department of Ohio at 
the Cleveland Wade Park U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, 
Hospital. Mr. Augustine has held numerous positions working on behalf 
of veterans during his three decades with DAV. He has served as 
executive director since 2013.
  Under Mr. Augustine's leadership, DAV has been a partner with 
Congress, including with the committee I have the honor of chairing, 
the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, in accomplishing significant 
reforms for veterans. This includes overhauling VA's system of 
providing decisions to veterans on their disability claims appeals and 
improving VA's ability to provide community care. The John S. McCain 
III, Daniel K Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal 
Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 
2018, enacted in June 2018, strengthened healthcare for veterans and 
expanded VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers 
to include veterans of all eras. DAV's initiatives, led by Mr. 
Augustine, have raised awareness for important issues such as caregiver 
support, care and benefits specifically related to women veterans, and 
advance appropriations for VA accounts.
  Today, I pay tribute to Mr. Augustine for his service to our country 
and his steadfast commitment to veterans throughout his career. 
Congratulations to Mr. Augustine on his retirement and a career in 
which he has left a lasting legacy of advocacy for veterans.
 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the service 
and career of veteran and dedicated advocate Garry Augustine.
  As the executive director of the Disabled American Veterans, DAV, 
since 2010 and a 46-year life member, Garry has helped shaped the 
legislative landscape for disabled veterans and their families by 
advocating before Congress, the White House, and the VA. Back home, 
Garry has led DAV's efforts to make sure disabled veterans can access 
the healthcare and benefits they need and earned.
  A native of Cleveland, OH, Garry enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 
1969. As a member of the 198th Infantry Brigade in South Vietnam, he 
served on the Batangan Peninsula. During a combat patrol operation on 
April 9, 1970, he was severely wounded by a land mine explosion.
  After 18 months and multiple surgeries at Walter Reed Medical Army 
Hospital, Garry returned home to Cleveland, where he continued physical 
rehabilitation and underwent additional surgeries at the Cleveland VA 
hospital. In December 1972, he was medically discharged from the U.S. 
Army.
  Following his service, Garry went on to earn a bachelor's degree with 
honors from Ohio University in 1978. In 1983, he completed a master's 
degree in sociology from Cleveland State University, the same year he 
became a life member of DAV Chapter 42 in Mentor, OH.
  In Mentor, he served in various positions, including chapter 
commander and adjutant, and on statewide committees, as well as 
director of service for the DAV Department of Ohio. In 1989, he was 
selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America.
  Along the way, Garry met and married Kellie Lambing and raised two 
children, Chelsea and Kyle.
  Garry began his tenure with DAV as a hospital service coordinator in 
1988 at the Cleveland Wade Park VA Hospital. That same year, he joined 
DAV's professional staff as a national service officer apprentice. He 
remained at the Cleveland national service office where he was promoted 
to assistant supervisor in 1997 and supervisor in 2000.
  He served as supervisor at the Cleveland DAV National Service Office 
until being appointed assistant national service director at DAV's 
Washington Headquarters in 2002. In January 2004, he was appointed 
deputy national service director and was named national service 
director in 2010.
  As executive director of DAV, Garry has helped lead an organization 
that has always been at the forefront of advocating for veterans and 
securing the resources, healthcare, and benefits veterans have earned. 
Garry has been a fierce advocate for VA healthcare reform, expanding 
caregiver benefits, securing critical resources for veterans 
initiatives, modernizing the disability appeals system, and improving 
VA services and resources for women veterans.
  As ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, it has 
been a joy to work with Garry and DAV on important pieces of 
legislation like the Deborah Sampson Act, the Veterans Appeals 
Improvement and Modernization Act, the VA Accountability and 
Whistleblower Protection Act, the Rural Veterans Transportation 
Enhancement Act, and the VA MISSION Act.
  These bipartisan bills, several of which were signed into law, serve 
as a testament to Garry's dedication and leadership on behalf of 
veterans. While future generations of veterans will be able to look at 
these bipartisan reforms as examples of Garry's dedication, they will 
also feel the reach of Garry's mission to serve veterans in their 
communities.
  Under his leadership, DAV continues to be a cornerstone for 
communities across our Nation. At the local level, DAV helps injured 
and ill veterans get to and from their doctor appointments, transition 
back to civilian life through its mobile service offices, and navigate 
the VA healthcare and benefits systems.
  It is my honor to recognize Garry's lifetime of service as a soldier, 
veteran, and leader of DAV. As Garry begins a new adventure into 
retirement, I have no doubt that he will continue to serve those in 
need. To Garry, on behalf of myself and a grateful nation, I extend my 
greatest appreciation to you for your enduring bravery, service, 
sacrifice, and advocacy.

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