Region 7 Report

BY ALLEN MANUEL, DIRECTOR

The VVA Convention had a very good turnout, even though it was expensive for delegates. Region 7 had sixty-eight delegates, plus six who cancelled due to health or transportation problems. Now that the Convention is over, we need to make our organization strong by concentrating on getting new members.

Region 7 now has four members serving on the National Board of Directors: Bill Meeks, Secretary; Pete Peterson and Richard DeLong, At-large Directors; and myself in my seventh term as Region 7 Director. I would like to thank all who ran, especially those who were elected. In the past few years we have had more individuals running for positions from Region 7.

Region 7 came home with three awards. Oklahoma received the State Council of the Year award. That’s the culmination of all the hard work they have done with the help of past President Nathan Washington. This state never quits working and is always there for veterans and their families.

Nate Washington was not able to come to the Convention because he had heart surgery. He will receive the VVA Commendation Medal for the hard work he has done in the last seven years. He doesn’t know when to quit. Nate deserves this medal—plus more.

Texas State Council President Luther (Buster) Newberry received the VVA Achievement Medal. This is another individual who was past due for a medal. He has done a lot of work for veterans. Even when his health was poor, he never gave up.
Nate and Buster are two great presidents, and they are always together and travel to each state council meeting. They constantly learn from each other, and that’s what makes them shine. 

CHRISTMAS AT ANGOLA

On December 18, several of us attended the Camp F Vets Annual Veterans Banquet inside Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. VVA Chapter 689 President Bill Kissinger welcomed us: “It’s almost Christmas, and tonight is our Christmas with our VVA extended family,” he said.

“Transition” was the theme of the evening. As Kissinger explained, though obstacles are the nature of prisons, by far the biggest obstacle encountered by Chapter 689 has been the move from Camp F to Camp C. “Here,” he said, “we try to look at obstacles as opportunities. The move from Camp F very nearly destroyed us as an organization. Things we had worked on our whole lives were gone overnight. At Camp F we were 365 trusty inmates. Now we are the new kids on the block, in a prison population of 1,500.”

But the Camp F Vets have overcome. They have resumed chapter meetings; they continue to care for their fellow inmates in need; and they have welcomed new members into their ranks.

Following an outstanding steak and shrimp meal, VVA At-Large Director Richard DeLong gave an update on the Camp F Vets’ Veterans Against Drugs video, noting that it is being shown far and wide. Charles Norman, VVA Louisiana State Incarcerated Chair, spoke next: “Most of you served in Vietnam with us,” he said. “You are our extended family. You have become part of us, and we have become part of you.”

Vietnam veteran William J. “Jack” Bock traveled from Missouri with his wife, Connie, to join fellow Chapter 689 members. “You all have got to be proud of what you are doing,” he said. “This has been an overwhelming night for me. It’s been so much fun, and that’s what’s good about being a veteran—we have more fun than other people.”
At the conclusion of the evening, as gifts were distributed and goodbyes exchanged, Kissinger remarked: “Santa comes to Angola, too. But guess what?

He comes dressed in camouflage, equipped with wire cutters as he scales the perimeter.”