Long Beach, California, Chapter 756: Always To Be There

BY PAUL ROGERS

It wasn’t so long ago that some Long Beach Chapter 756 meetings were attended by only its founder Max Stewart and then-secretary Conrad Gomez. The pair dutifully went through the minutes and the motions, but their chapter was seriously endangered. Yet, through sheer dedication and inspired networking, Chapter 756 marked its 20th anniversary in December with 154 active members and more pending.

“We celebrated at a Spaghetti Factory—we had about forty-three members attend,” said Gomez, who’s entering his third year as chapter president. “I had a plaque made for Max, and I appointed him permanent second vice-president.”

Gomez attributes his chapter’s remarkable turnaround to tireless outreach—“going to the right places; picking the right events”—and making new members feel truly welcome. Furthermore, in late 2014 meetings were moved from evenings at a VFW hall to a much more convenient 1 p.m. on Thursdays at a retirement community. Membership has almost doubled since.

Prior to the chapter receiving its charter in 1997, the nearest VVA chapters for Long Beach residents were in Torrance, Riverside, and Pasadena. With most Vietnam vets still working in those days, and meetings generally being held early on weekday evenings, L.A.’s famously frustrating traffic made attendance almost impossible for most.

Gomez is quick to give credit to his fellow former “sky cop” (U.S. Air Force Security policeman) Max Stewart for founding Chapter 756 and being what he calls a “diehard” ever since. Then a VVA member at large, Gomez was one of the first veterans Stewart reached out to when he launched the chapter.

“He is always there, and we’re always trying to network together,” said Gomez, who jokes that he has more photos with Stewart than he does with his wife. Having served as secretary of his chapter for about a decade, and as its treasurer, Gomez took over as president when Stewart stepped down from that position.

It was Stewart who initiated the Vietnam Veterans of America Art Contest at Woodbridge High School in nearby Irvine in 2007. The popular painting competition honors vets through art, with winners receiving hundreds of dollars in scholarships.

“Stewart was also very instrumental in having a Veterans Service Officer office set up at the Long Beach VA,” said Gomez. “After that, the guys wouldn’t have to go to either Orange County or up to the Wilshire branch [in Los Angeles].” Having started with just a cubicle at the VA, Chapter 756 now has an office staffed by up to three service officers.

Using his experience in marketing and membership retention from his time as a Ralphs supermarket manager, Gomez entices potential chapter members with discounted fees, free t-shirts, and attractive merchandise. A frequently updated Facebook page (facebook.com/LongBeachVVA756) and new website (www.VVA756.org) have helped attract members and keep them engaged. Gomez has learned to always carry his VVA business cards for when he runs into fellow vets.

Perhaps Chapter 756’s most visible achievement is the Long Beach Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the city’s Houghton Park, which was dedicated on Veterans Day 2000. Designed by a local art student, it features an actual Huey helicopter that logged thousands of combat hours in Vietnam. Tastefully lit by night, this arresting monument also features a plaque honoring Long Beach’s 103 Vietnam War KIAs and MIAs.

The ever-busy chapter buys movie tickets and arranges outings for Long Beach VA Hospital patients, and donates funds to the facility’s canteen. An inclusive attitude has helped to swell its ranks, and Gomez, who is also secretary of the Air Force Security Forces Association, stresses that he’s keen to connect with all Vietnam War veterans, regardless of where they served.

“One of the nicest things I can say about our chapter is it does not only help Vietnam veterans, but it helps veterans of all conflicts,” he said.

Chapter 756 works closely with the local Vietnamese community, including ARVN veterans and former refugees. On the first Sunday of every month, chapter members join Vietnamese veterans at the Vietnam War Memorial in the nearby city of Westminster. The chapter also supports organizations including Patriots and Paws, the Air Force Sergeants Association, and Vets to Vets, as well as actively supporting Anaheim 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“We want to make sure that currently deployed service personnel don’t come home and feel rejected,” said Gomez. “Our pursuit is always to be there for any form of help, from suicide prevention to helping women, especially women with sexual trauma.”