UMass Boston

2024’s award recipient is Dan P. Stack  

Dan Stack has served the veteran community for over 50 years as a member and leader of the New England Disabled American Veterans (DAV) whose Mission Statement is:

“We are dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish 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; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.”

Throughout his five decades of service, Dan has shown unwavering commitment, passion, and determination in every task he took on. His guidance and mentorship have been invaluable to all of us, and his hard work has truly made a difference in the success of the organization.

Dan Stack served in the United States Air Force from 1969-1973. Shortly after returning from South- East Asia, Dan was hired by DAV in 1974 as National Service Officer. He has been assigned to offices in New York, Boston, and Cleveland, Ohio.

Amongst the many successes Dan has either worked within or led, significantly, Dan participated in psychological studies on the “hidden wounds of war” and subsequently successfully crafted recognition and legislation to acknowledge the Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome Disorder (PTSD).  DAV worked to legislatively and definitively add PTSD not only to the reference Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-3), but also succeeded to institute the Veterans Administration’s compensation rules.

Through Dan’s vision and drive, the DAV Department of MA became the first state in the Nation to host its own 5k race,  and to facilitate Veterans Housing Facilities in Leominster, and in Gardner, MA. The Department has grown to new heights under Dan’s leadership. Simply put, DAV is where Dan’s heart and passions lay.

Thank you, Dan, for 50 years of service, dedication, and leadership of the DAV and to the Veterans whose lives you tirelessly work to improve.  Your legacy of Service will continue to inspire us all for years to come.

 The staff of the University of Massachusetts Boston’s William Joiner Institute for the Study of War and Social Consequences could not think of a better way to honor Theodore Parker’s memory than by acknowledging Dan Stack’s contributions and service to the veteran communities of New England but also his impact nationally.  Congratulations to the the Disabled American Veterans’ Daniel P. Stack upon receiving this well-deserved award.