Linda Austin

Bequest donor’s unique experience with Vietnam veterans prompts legacy gift

Linda Austin was a 20-something flight attendant during the Vietnam War. She had a unique, firsthand view of the immediate effects it had on soldiers heading home. She still has a vivid image of the young men on her flights, bravely headed toward combat and ready for anything the war asked of them. Through tears, she recalls, “Some of those boys even lied about their age to fight for our country. They flew over as young, impassioned boys, and by the time they came home, they were practically old men. They willingly sacrificed everything short of their lives for our country when they still had their whole lives ahead of them.”

The sacrifices of those young soldiers have never been lost on her. Since then, Linda has always had it in her heart that, when the time was right, she wanted to do something meaningful for those who have served to protect her freedoms and the freedoms of her loved ones. Over the years, her career path changed, but the impact of those flights and her desire to say thank you never has. That was why Linda chose to leave a legacy gift to our country’s disabled veterans by naming DAV in her estate plans. She knows that for years to come, her gift will help those who’ve served receive the care and help that they earned.

By notifying DAV of her plans, her future contribution was promptly recognized through the DAV Guardian Society. By naming DAV in her estate plans, she’s made the charity and those who served a part of her family, and we are happy for the chance to thank and know her personally. It’s the least we can do for her sacrifice and support.

Naming DAV in your estate plans can be as easy as meeting with your attorney and naming us in your will or trust. Or, if a will is not needed to do your estate planning, you can name DAV as the beneficiary of your insurance policy or financial accounts. A legacy gift can be as grand or small as you wish or can afford.