Hankook, DAV partnering to help Tenn. vets

WAYNE, N.J. (Sept. 22, 2015) — Hankook Tire America Corp. is continuing its partnership with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) by sponsoring the organization's Mobile Service Office (MSO) stops and providing free services to local veterans in northern Tennessee who need assistance filing claims for Veteran Affairs benefits.

The DAV's MSO will be available at two Gateway Tire & Service Center locations in Tennessee this week — in Gallatin on Sept. 24 and in Clarksville on Sept 25.

As part of its “commitment to helping people through mobility,” Hankook said it is continuing to support DAV's efforts to reach underserved veterans. DAV makes 70 stops within the southeast region each year to provide free services, including Tennessee, where Hankook will open its first U.S. manufacturing plant in 2016. At the MSO stops, certified DAV National Service Officers will be available in the “office on wheels” to ensure veterans receive the benefits they've earned, according to the tire maker.

Gateway Tire also will host special activities during the times of the MSO stops. Details on the two MSO stops are listed below:

• Gateway Tire, 380 Hancock Street, Gallatin; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CDT, Thursday, Sept. 24; and
• Gateway Tire, 2600 Highway 41A Bypass, Clarksville; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CDT, Friday, Sept. 25.

“Hankook is proud to partner with DAV's MSO program and utilize mobility to ensure veterans receive the valuable services they need right in their hometowns,” said Henry Kopacz, public relations and social media manager for Wayne-based Hankook.

“The support of local Hankook dealers like Gateway Tire Gallatin and Gateway Tire Clarksville to host these stops is appreciated as we strive to provide the local veteran community access to these services.”

The purpose of the DAV program is to help veterans living in smaller town and rural communities obtain the Veterans Affairs and other benefits and services they need to lead high quality lives. Last year, the organization's MSO traveled more than 100,000 miles to 922 cities to help veterans and their families.

“We're very excited to continue to have such a valuable partner like Hankook on board with DAV's mission of service to America's veterans and their families,” said DAV National Adjutant and CEO J. Marc Burgess. “They're directly contributing to enhancing the lives of those who had the courage to  say ‘send me' when our country called. Giving back to the veteran community speaks volumes about the people who comprise their great organization.”

DAV, a non-profit organization with nearly 1.3 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932.