Jill Ann Mishkel, 1950-2024

Jill Ann Mishkel, a strong women veterans advocate and a long-standing, active VVA member, died March 28 at age 74. She joined the U.S. Army and volunteered to serve in Vietnam just before her 20th birthday and went on to serve as a nurse with the 24th Evac Hospital in Long Binh’s neuro-surgical ward during her 1970-71 tour of duty. After coming home from the war, she did therapeutic work with war amputees at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver.

She joined VVA soon after its founding in 1978, and served as the president of the Connecticut State Council in the mid-1980s. Soon thereafter, she was appointed to the VVA National Elections Committee and served as member for more than 25 years.

Jill Mishkel was one of twenty-six women whose story was featured in the book, A Piece of My Heart: The Stories of 26 American Women who Served in Vietnam published in 1997.

“Jill was one of those wonderful people who would think out of the box,” said Scott DeArman, the Elections Committee’s long-time chair. “She brought her mental sharpness to the Elections Committee and also was a valued member of the Constitution Committee. Jill was not afraid to tell you how she felt about an issue, while at the same time valuing the opinions of others.

“VVA has lost a true friend—a fellow veteran and a wonderful nurse who wanted the best for all of us. She will forever be missed by those of us who knew her and worked with her.”

Alan Eugene Cook, 1953-2024

Alan Cook, Vietnam Veterans of America’s California State Council President, died May 31, a day after his 71st birthday. He joined the U.S. Army soon after graduating from San Mateo High School in 1971 and served a 1971-72 tour of duty in Long Binh and Saigon. After coming home, he started what would be a long career in banking and soon thereafter leant his financial expertise to VVA.

Alan Cook helped found Chapter 400 in Oakland, California, serving as its treasurer. In addition to holding leadership positions in California, he served on the VVA National Board from 1993-1995 and three terms (2003-2009) as VVA’s National Treasurer, as treasurer of the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund, and for many years as the chair of VVA’s National Finance Committee. At his death, he was a valued member of that committee.

“Alan was a kind and gentle man with an incredibly sharp sense of humor,” said former VVA Board member Jim Doyle, one of his predecessors as California State Council President. “He was as dedicated to helping veterans as he was devoted to his family—his wife, Cindy, his sons, his daughter, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren.”

Alan Cook was buried on June 17 at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California

Paul W. Bucha, 1943-2024

Paul W. “Buddy” Bucha died July 31, a month shy of his 81st birthday. Bucha, West Point Class of 1965, received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary leadership during a vicious three-day fight against North Vietnamese Army forces in March 1968 near Phuoc Vinh in Bình Duong Province while commanding D Company of the 3rd/187th in the 101st Airborne Division.

A life member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Bucha was a long-time veterans advocate and a strong supporter of VVA and its mission. At the 2003 VVA National Convention in St. Louis, he gave a memorably impassioned Keynote speech and then received the organization’s highest honor, the VVA Commendation Medal. Bucha also volunteered his time to take part in the 2004 National Leadership Conference in Nashville.

“A soldier’s soldier, Buddy Bucha spent his life advocating for his fellow veterans and for those serving in harm’s way,” said VVA President Jack McManus. “He was always ready to fight for the rights of his fellow veterans. We are proud to have had him on our team, and we will miss his incisive voice, his passion for justice, and his deep, caring heart.”

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