Region 1

BY SKIP HOCHREICH

Spring brought much activity to Region 1. So many chapters and state councils were busy in their communities it is hard to list everything. Folks should send information to me for my next report.

I received a copy of New Hampshire Chapter 992’s newsletter in the mail: sixteen pages of news and photos. Excellent job.

New Hampshire has been my busiest destination lately. Accompanied by national Minority Affairs Chair Gumersindo Gomez, I traveled to Manchester to oversee state council elections. After much discussion of the bylaws, nominations were made and elections held. Chapter 992 President Melvin Murrel was elected state council president. The other officers are Jack Blais, vice president; Donna Hakey, secretary; and Bruce Carri, treasurer. 

The officers report they “are in the process of revitalizing and reconstructing the New Hampshire State Council, its chapters, bylaws, and operational procedures. We are setting goals and objectives for future growth, employing general planning process models to do so.”

Over Memorial Day weekend I traveled to Concord to swear in the new officers. After a lively election, it was uncertain how many members from other chapters would show up for the meeting. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find around fifty brothers and sisters in attendance, and many had already left after the meal. It looks like this is the state council in Region 1 to watch for big doings in the future. Congratulations to all.

Massachusetts Chapter One-Eleven reports a very successful poppy drive at the Ingleside Mall in Holyoke. They also did some recruiting. On May 8 Massachusetts Chapter 908 joined other VVA members for ceremonies on the U.S.S. Constitution. A crew member from America’s oldest commissioned warship was buried on Monkey Mountain in Vietnam in 1845.

Chapter 908 also attended a Khmer Veterans Freedom Fighters dance and took some great photos, which have been posted on our website, vvama.org

On 3 June I was asked to conduct the Massachusetts State Council elections. All officers were reelected: Gumersindo Gomez, president; Jerry LaValley, treasurer; Justin Lantini, secretary; Bruce Dobson, VP East; Art Cole, VP Central; and Paul Kelly, VP West. We held the swearing-in ceremony immediately afterward. Congratulations and continue the great work.

That’s it for now. I look forward to attending my other state council meetings over the summer between my travels to the Leadership Conference and other events. To all my chapters and state councils, once again I ask that you send me your events and news so I can get it into my report and posted on the website.

Region 2

BY TED WILKINSON

It is with a heavy heart that I write this report. In May the Lord took my loving wife to be with Him. I want to thank all who sent cards or condolences, those who attended the memorial service, and those who sent flowers.

Nyla was my rock and for more than forty years supported me more than anyone will ever know. She was a strong person and never gave in or slowed down to the cancer and surgery she went through in 1989. She fought Stage 4 for almost seven years.

Nyla designed and printed sympathy cards for the New York and North Carolina State Councils for more than ten years and never accepted anything in return.

My hero. She will be missed.

Region 3

BY SARA McVICKER

It’s that time of year again. Most chapters and state councils already have submitted their election and financial reports, but last year there were some very unfortunate problems with reports getting “lost” before reaching the correct office at National. If you have not received an email or letter acknowledging receipt, please call and check. Chapters and state councils that do not get their reports in on time (officially July 15) will be suspended (and then I nag your State Council President and they nag you). Thanks to all the early birds for their diligence.

On the agenda for the 2018 National Leadership & Education Conference are three sessions regarding the future of VVA, one from each of the two Working Groups and a Q&A session. I encourage all to read the reports from the Working Groups that were in the May/June issue of The Veteran.

I hope we will be getting handouts that can be shared with those who are unable to attend. I also hope that more detailed reports to address the questions raised at this meeting will be published prior to the 2019 National Convention.

That meeting will be in Spokane, Wash., and unless prices drop dramatically, air fares from the East Coast will be a significant expense. I strongly urge chapters and state councils to start setting aside funds to get delegates there. If you don’t have representatives there, your voice may not be heard on this important issue.

The North Carolina State Council will be hosting the 2019 Region 3 George C. Duggins Conference in Durham, with registration on Thursday, March 21, and closing on Saturday, March 23. Information will be available at www.vva-nc.org

Since the deadline for this column is before all of the state councils in Region 3 have their elections, and my crystal ball is in the shop, I can’t predict the outcomes. However, I can thank all of the state council officers who have served for the past two years. They spend many hours on the business of VVA—probably more than you realize, often at the expense of the rest of their lives. The same is true for our chapter officers.

This is a volunteer organization, and it is amazing what VVA accomplishes in local communities, as well as on the state and national levels. We are starting to see results in Congress on legislation and issues that VVA has pushed for some time. The pressure you have put on your Senators and Representatives has been a large part of that.

As always, thank you for all you do for VVA and to help veterans and their families. Please feel free to contact me at smcvicker@vva.org with questions or concerns.

Region 4

BY SPENCE DAVIS

All the Region 4 chapters and state councils have elected new officers (some reelected) for either one or two-year terms. I would like to congratulate them and pray that all will have great terms as we continue to grow in membership and form new chapters. We have a good region where all work together to accomplish many projects. I am very proud of Region 4. Even as we get older, we just seem to be getting better. Did I say older? Maybe I should have said aging a little more.

As president of the Georgia State Council, when we have a large increase in membership and are looking forward to being number one in the nation, along comes Florida with more members. But I am not complaining because it means that Florida is doing a good job, even if the state president calls the Northerners who stopped and settled in Georgia “half-tracks” because they did not make it further south to Florida.

I am proud to announce that Georgia has a new chapter in Columbus, Chapter 1133, with more than a hundred members. Now that is the way to start. Kingsland should have a new chapter chartered very soon. They have the paperwork almost complete.

Let us not forget that AVVA has done very much to help us. Region 4 AVVA in April had the largest growth in the nation. Thanks and congratulations.

Alabama, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico also are doing a great job with membership and their many projects to help veterans. But remember that Puerto Rico is still struggling to overcome the storms and continues to need our support. As we have entered the hurricane season, let’s pray for a safe and mild one and especially that Puerto Rico be spared from damage.

The Region 4 get-together is still going to happen. We are planning to finalize more of the details at the Leadership Conference in Palm Springs.

Thanks to each of you for all that you do for your chapters and state councils and for all the veterans you are helping. My two requests to you are to help veterans—this being most important—and secondly, to have a good time working together to accomplish our many projects. May God bless, guide, and protect each one of you.

Region 5

BY TOM BURKE

The Leadership & Education Conference is just around the corner. It will offer a wide variety of seminars concerning VVA’s core interests. Activities will commence on Tuesday, July 24, with official opening ceremonies on Wednesday, July 25. Advanced Service Officer Training will be offered for all VVA service officers. VVA Deputy Director Felicia Mullaney will host the training. “Go West, young man” now has specific meaning. VVA’s Leadership & Education Conference is always one of our outstanding events. I urge all members of VVA and AVVA to attend.

In September 19-23, the AVTT Traveling Vietnam Wall will make an appearance at the Chillicothe, Ohio, VA Medical Center. The Traveling Wall is sponsored by several local entities. Major sponsors include the Buckeye State Council, VVA Chapters 810 and 1045, the Highland County VSO at Hillsboro, Speedy Muffler Man, along with an individual donation from John and Janet Payne. During The Wall visit, there will be an Agent Orange town hall meeting on Saturday, September 22. Guest speakers include Mark Murdock of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center; Sandie Wilson, VVA National Director at Large; Eric Pugh, Director of the Auglaize County Veteran Service Commission; and Tom Jones, Ohio State Council. Thomas Estes, Ohio VVA State Council District 4 Director, will be the emcee. The Buckeye State Council invites everyone traveling through the area to attend. All are welcome. For hotel reservations, call the Quality Inn in Chillicothe at 740-775-3588.

I know this is a little off the plotted course, but I was completely blown away when I came across an article on Military.com last March. The Air Force is looking at possibly approving enlisted pilots for the first time in seventy-five years. It is also looking at the possible reestablishment of a Warrant Officer Corps for that purpose.

The Air Force, according to the article, is facing the greatest pilot shortage since its inception. That’s why leaders are contemplating a return to a model that includes enlisted pilots. A study conducted by the Rand Corp. explored the feasibility of just such a scenario. These studies may bring the Air Force just a few steps closer to someday getting enlisted airmen back in the cockpit on a formal basis for the first time since World War II.

Region 6

BY BOB GRABINSKI

I hope everyone was able to participate in Memorial Day events throughout the region. I attended several, including the Vietnamese Community Memorial Day Program at St. Cloud, Minn. It was interesting and I met several state leaders of the Vietnamese veterans community of Minnesota.

I would like to thank everyone who ran for chapter and state council offices in Region 6. The eighty-one chapters in the region very seldom get thanked or recognized, so I thought I would name every chapter. Two chapters rank among the top fifteen in membership: Chapter 1054 in Watertown, S.D., is 13th and Chapter 317 in Kansas City, Mo., is 15th.

Iowa has 8 chapters and 1,219 members: 1102 Ames, 490 Des Moines, 667 Ottumwa, 776 Bettendorf, 790 Lake Mills, 798 Glenwood, 888 Aurelia, and 947 Fort Madison.

Kansas has 6 chapters and 592 members: 939 Hays, 75 Atchison, 344 Junction City, 809 Salina, 912 Ottawa, and 604 Topeka.

Minnesota has 12 chapters and 1,394 members: 62 Hopkins, 235 Alexandria, 290 St Cloud, 320 St. Paul, 363 Apple Valley, 470 Anoka, 492 Rosemount, 639 South St. Paul, 684 Cambridge, 832 Fairmount, 999 Mankato, and 1110 Rochester.

Missouri has 16 chapters and 1,827 members: 70 Moberly, 1014 Lebanon, 1023 Eagle Rock, 1028 St. Louis, 485 Harviell, 1119 Kimberling City, 243 Lee’s Summitt, 458 St. Peters, 611 St. Louis, 794 St. Louis, 833 Bowling Green, 848 Cameron, 913 Branson, 918 Moundville, 952 Springfield, and 317 Kansas City.

Nebraska has 4 chapters and 398 members: 279 Weston, 397 Omaha, 455 Falls City, and 722 Lincoln.

North Dakota has 4 chapters and 709 members: 150 Bismarck, 374 Mayville, 487 New Town, and 941 Fargo.

South Dakota has 5 chapters and 737 members: 463 Rapid City, 959 Sioux Falls,1059 Deadwood, 1054 Watertown, and 1121 Watertown.

Wisconsin has 27 chapters and 2,416 members: 220 Oregon, 5 Eau Claire, 92 Chippewa Falls, 101 Wisconsin Rapids, 1130 Stone, 115 Plover, 206 Shawano, 221 Portage, 224 Depere, 236 Janesville, 256 Minocqua, 324 Milwaukee, 729 Mauston, 731 Manitowoc, 767 Racine, 921 Rochester, 331 River Falls, 351 Appleton, 409 Whitewater, 425 Waukesha, 437 Oshkosh, 448 Newburg, 479 Wausau, 529 Hurley, 549 Marshfield, 618 Sheboygan, and 635 Oconomowoc.

Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) recently aired a program that featured several VVA members. They were articulate and thoughtful. TPT reported receiving so many positive calls after the program that they are putting together an additional show at the St. Paul Ordway Center called “Minnesota Remembers Vietnam, Epilogue.” TPT had good ticket sales for the program, enabling them to provide some free tickets for VVA members. That show and The Wall That Heals on the grounds of the State Capitol will occur on the same weekend. The memorial is inscribed “We were young. We died. Remember us.”

Contact your state council or chapter president to register for the Region 6 Conference. Your registration should be submitted by August 5.

Thanks for all you do for VVA and veterans.

Region 7

BY ALLEN MANUEL

I recognize that air fare to Palm Springs is expensive. All east-west travel is. Chapters need to set aside money for Palm Springs travel, as well as for next year’s Convention in Spokane.

There is a possibility of a new chapter forming in eastern Oklahoma. Many veterans would like to start it.

As part of the Memorial Day ceremonies in Louisiana, Rep. Clay Higgins presented the Congressional Gold Medal to James Bollich for his service and sacrifice. He is a survivor of the notorious Battan Death March in World War II. The prestigious award was presented during a ceremony at the Veterans Home in Jennings.

The Louisiana State Council held its annual convention in Kinder with the largest number of delegates in many years, including members from newly formed Chapter 1131 in Alexandria. Texas State Council President Kerwin Stone and Vice President Stephen Brady attended. Terry Courville was re-elected president. I wish him the best for the next two years. Courville also was named Region 7 Veteran of the Year. The banquet was very good—one of the best in many years.

Region 8

BY FRANCISCO F. IVARRA

At the invitation of the State Council President and State Secretary Jaycee Newman, I attended the Oregon State Council meeting on May 5. Held at the Edward C. Allworth Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon, it was well attended. All chapter presidents participated in active discussions and submitted written chapter reports. Elections were held, and I had the honor of swearing in all the officers.

The Idaho State Council meeting was held in Idaho Falls on May 17. I was unable to attend, but President Bob Seal informed me that all officers were re-elected and all chapters are actively involved in service to veterans. Based on my attendance during their last state council meeting, I am convinced that the ISC leadership and membership will continue to do well and keep moving ahead.

The Washington State Council met on April 21 at the newly constructed Yakima Warriors Association building in Toppenish. A special thank-you to Gil Calac, who greeted us with a traditional warriors’ song. Elections were held and two new officers were elected: Ande Mitchell as Vice President and John “Coop” Cooper as Second Vice.

All chapter delegates attended as well as committee chairs, VSOs, and guests. All chapters are actively involved, and we have all made the commitment to help the B-52 Restoration Project by making a contribution of $1,800. A B-52 Midnight Express will be the centerpiece of the Vietnam Veterans Air War Commemorative Park to symbolize all of the aircraft flown in the Vietnam War. The bomber eventually will be placed at the Museum of Flight near Seattle, and the VVA Washington State Council will be recognized, along with all the other contributors, with its name along the surrounding plaza.

We are preparing for our annual Welcome Home Veterans event August 4 at Ande Mitchell’s property in Sedro Woolley. All food and entertainment is complimentary. As in previous years, we will have Vietnam War military hardware on hand.

Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming are active, doing fine, and continue to do their part supporting veterans and VVA.

I wish everyone well and hope to see you at the VVA National Leadership & Education Conference at Palm Springs, California. Peace.