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News | Jan. 6, 2020

Employee thanked for helping homeless vets

By Tim Hoyle DLA Disposition Services

A Defense Logistics Agency employee at a Georgia site was honored recently by the Veterans Affairs for his effort assisting their staff in getting useable items to homeless veterans who can really use them.

Operations Chief Willie Mitchell presents Disposal Service Representative Dave Smith with a plaque from Veterans Administration for helping the agency find usable items to aid homeless vets.
Operations Chief Willie Mitchell (right) presents Disposal Service Representative Dave Smith with a plaque from Veterans Affairs for helping the agency find usable items to aid homeless vets.
Operations Chief Willie Mitchell presents Disposal Service Representative Dave Smith with a plaque from Veterans Administration for helping the agency find usable items to aid homeless vets.
Helping those in need
Operations Chief Willie Mitchell (right) presents Disposal Service Representative Dave Smith with a plaque from Veterans Affairs for helping the agency find usable items to aid homeless vets.
Photo By: Warner Robbins staff
VIRIN: 191217-D-D0441-003
Disposal Service Representative Dave Smith at DLA Disposition Services at Warner Robins received a nice glass plaque from the VA for his work helping the agency. Smith said “homeless vets also get cold weather clothing, sleeping bags and field packs from us.” Usable items like those Smith mentioned and others like blankets and canteens are often presented at events like “VA stand downs” that help educate the vets on the variety or government and private organizations in their area that can assist them.

Smith efforts are part of a strong partnership between DLA Disposition Services and the VA for decades. In fact, when the first website went online to allow eligible customers to search for usable property, the VA was among the first to search the global inventory. Members of the initial website team remember the VA staff located a large quantity of men’s underwear that was acquired to meet a common need among homeless vets.

After learning about resources, veterans receive surplus military items provided to Veterans Affairs from DLA Disposition Services.
After learning about resources, veterans receive surplus military items provided to Veterans Affairs from DLA Disposition Services.
After learning about resources, veterans receive surplus military items provided to Veterans Affairs from DLA Disposition Services.
Finding useful items
After learning about resources, veterans receive surplus military items provided to Veterans Affairs from DLA Disposition Services.
Photo By: Tim Hoyle
VIRIN: 180615-D-BV668-001
Smith’s plaque came to him from the VA Greater LA Homeless Outreach Program with “heartfelt gratitude for your loyalty and support of the military veterans of the greater Los Angeles area. We are appreciative.” The award was presented to Smith by Operations Chief Willie Mitchell.