ERLANGER, Ky. – DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has named Army National Guard veteran Kim Hubers of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, its 2023 Disabled American Veteran of the Year. She will be presented with the award on Aug. 5 at the 2023 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Hubers joined the National Guard in 2002 as a motor vehicle operator. Just months after enlisting, she was deployed to Iraq, where she drove 18-hour days for months between Kuwait, Baghdad and other hostile areas. As with many veterans, service took a toll on her body and mind, which worsened as she returned home.

A different battle awaited Hubers as she fought tirelessly to receive the veterans benefits she had earned. Her many medical conditions made her life more challenging and uncertain, despite her healthy outward appearance. However, according to DAV National Commander Joe Parsetich, she consistently puts others before herself, including helping veterans with their Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims and serving as commander of DAV Chapter 1 in Sioux Falls. She also serves on DAV’s National Interim Women’s Committee.

“Kim continues to answer the call despite all her hidden health woes,” said Parsetich. “From motivating others to join DAV’s ranks and providing support to DAV benefits advocates to organizing retreats for women veterans and fundraising for DAV, Kim is a bright light, and we are proud to call her one of our stellar members and leaders.”

Photos and media may be made available upon request. Interviews may be arranged.

 

About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: keeping our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them, fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, linking veterans and their families to employment resources, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a nonprofit organization with over 1 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932.