 THE CONTINUING TRAGEDY OF THE U.S.S. FRANK E. EVANS: While returning to the war zone, the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans was diverted to an international training exercise. On the night of June 3, 1969, the flagship of the Royal Australian Navy—the 22,000-ton H.M.A.S. Melbourne—sliced into the much smaller destroyer. Seventy-four men drowned; only one body was recovered. None of those names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial—the DoD says they weren’t technically in the war zone. [on the cover]
 AFOOT IN SPRINGFIELD: WHAT TO SEE AND DO—AND EAT—AT THE CONVENTION
VVA will hold its 17th National Convention July July 21-25, in Illinois’ capital city. Xande Anderer gives the lay of the land—attractions, sights, shopping, and dining—all within walking distance of the Springfield Hilton and Doubletree Abraham Lincoln, the host hotels.
 TODAY’S BLUE: ARSENIC IN THE ENVIRONMENT
In our May/June issue, Loana Hoylman discussed the use of Agent Blue, the arsenic-based herbicide that was used to target the food supply during the Vietnam War. Many veterans were exposed. That previous exposure also makes them much more sensitive to arsenic now.
 VIETNAM VETERANS & HONOR FLIGHT
As the 44 Vietnam veterans of the Honor Flight Nevada exited their bus and prepared to march to The Wall, the brilliant Washington, D.C. sunshine, high temperature, and dripping humidity immediately ignited memories of their tours in Vietnam…
 PATRIOTISM, THE FLAG CODE, AND THE FLAG LAPEL PIN: Marc Leepson, author of Flag: An American Biography, continues his series of articles on the American flag. This issue he examines the political paradox of wearing flag lapel pins.
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July/August 2015
The VVA Veteran® is a publication of Vietnam Veterans of America. ©All rights reserved.
Fifty Years Ago:
Walter Anderson: