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2026 DAV Convention Awards
This page presents the list of awards and awardees at the 103rd Annual Convention of the Department of Arizona, held in Chandler, Arizona, June 10-13, 2026.
DAV/DAVA MAJOR AWARDS
Award
Awardee
Chapter/Unit
Type Award
Ronnie Smith
Shannon Sanders
Rodney Hage
​
​
Lynn Burnett
Tom Henderson
Rodney Hage
DAV Disabled Veteran of the Year*
DAVA Member of the Year
DAV Distinguished Service Award**
DAV Chapter of the Year
DAVA Unit of the Year
DAV Commander of the Year
DAV Volunteer of the Year
DAV Service Officer of the Year
Chapter 36 (Coolidge)
Unit 20 (Glendale)
Chapter 24 (Sun City/Surprise)
East Valley Chapter 8 (Mesa)
Fry Unit 14 (Sierra Vista)
East Valley Chapter 8 (Mesa)
Transportation (Flagstaff)
Chapter 24 (Sun City/Surprise)
Plaque
Certificate
Plaque
Plaque
Certificate
Plaque
Plaque
Plaque
* Once in a lifetime award
** Once in a lifetime award; Department's highest honor
DAV COMMANDER'S AWARDS
Award
Awardee
Action for which Awarded
Type Award
Seraphine Josley**
Christine Siegel
Ray Drake
Lindy Merino
John Shultz​
Initial coordination for Navajo remote sites
Initial coordination for Navajo remote sites
Emergency transportation (scooter) for Veteran
Emergency food delivery for Veteran & family
Emergency counseling and follow-up for Veteran
** Awarded earlier in Ceremony at Central Navajo Veteran Agency Assembly in Piñon, AZ
Award for Excellence
Award for Excellence
Award for Excellence
Award for Excellence
Award for Excellence
Certificate & Coin
Certificate & Coin
Certificate & Coin
Certificate & Coin
Certificate & Coin
DAV DEPARTMENT APPRECIATION AWARD CERTIFICATE
Chapter
Awardee
Chapter
Awardee
Jeri Harwood
Karmen Switzer
Dan Spencer
Lisa Patenge
Don Wyatt
Sue Murphy
Dona Snyder
Gerald McKenzie
Aaron Scott
Frank Giovenco
Charles Hailer
Brodie Keane
Chapter 4 (Tucson/Marana)
Chapter 4 (Tucson/Marana)
Chapter 8 (Mesa)
Chapter 8 (Mesa)
Chapter 8 (Mesa)
Chapter 8 (Mesa)
Chapter 11 (Yuma)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Carl Millock
Kenneth Reed
John Larson
Cardiel Vasquez
Dane Hampton
Denis Lueders
Mike Bieluch
John Gerlach
Paul Graham
Wayne Stovall
John Stenzel
Kevin Karvinen
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 16 (Prescott)
Chapter 24 (Sun City/Surprise)
Chapter 24 (Sun City/Surprise)
Chapter 24 (Sun City/Surprise)
Chapter 39 (Oro Valley)
Chapter 39 (Oro Valley)
IN MEMORIAM: HONORING OUR LOST COMRADES
Chapter 26 (Benson)
Chapter 24 (Sun City/Surprise)
Chapter 27 (Lake Havasu City)
State VAVS Coordinator; DSO
Chapter Treasurer; many other positions
Adjutant; CSO
Plaque
Plaque
Plaque
William "Bill" Burks
Robert "Bob" Hammer
Rick Foster
SPECIAL AWARDS
Dr. Carl Forkner
Department Adjutant & CEO
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Future is Now Foundation
Certificate