BY DOMINICK YEZZO, CHAIR

On November 11, 2024, VINJUS Committee members attended the Veterans Day Breakfast at the White House.

I was proud to present the vision of our committee at the event. I had the chance to inform White House insiders of issues we advocate for: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and veterans incarcerated.

I took the opportunity to speak about the men and women incarcerated who returned from honorable service with the physical and emotional wounds of war, and who are unable to regain the integrity of life that they enjoyed prior to their service.

To this end, I emphasized the continued need for Veteran Treatment Courts, and asked that veterans incarcerated never be left behind.

President Joe Biden and the First Lady were generous with their time with VVA on Veterans Day.

BY SANDIE WILSON, CHAIR

The committee continues to strive to make life better for sprayed and betrayed veterans, as well as for their offspring. The task seems to last forever. We continue to rely on our special advisors, other committees, VVA members, and the VVA National staff to achieve success. Our mission involves health care, women veterans, government affairs, and the work of the VVA Veterans Benefits Department.

This committee focuses on communication, education, motivation, and direction to achieve success. It may not look like we have gained a lot, but as a whole, the organization has made wholesale achievements.

Our committee includes VVA Government Affairs Department and Communications Department staffers. That’s because Congress determines what the VA can do for veterans, and in some situations must force the VA to do its job. The Communications Department gets out information to the membership and keeps us all informed. As chair, I frequently communicate with both departments between board meetings.

Because we now have a new Congress and a newly elected President, our major recurring job is to educate the new people on the Hill and in the government who are involved in the decision-making process. In my experience, the best time to get friendly with your members of Congress is when they are back home in their districts.

Government Affairs spends significant time on the Hill. But Congress pays more attention to the words of its constituents, and we need the grassroots strength of our membership to take action and to contact their members of Congress.

The special advisors for the Air Force Ranch Hand study now have an MOA dealing with the future of the study’s work and the specimens it has gathered with the other stakeholders. After seven years of work the specimens are slowly being transported by land under intensive monitoring. The released report about the research has been disputed by veterans for many years. We look at the MOA as a beginning.

Our subcommittee on VA disability applications for veteran children and grandchildren has concluded its work. The VA’s form for spina bifida has been modified to include all inherited diseases believed to be related to a veteran parent’s toxic exposure. The Denver office is holding those applications and needs more to determine if more action is called for. If your local benefits representative will not file the claim, it can be done by the VVA National Benefits Department.

The best way to get Agent Orange toxic exposure information in your local area is through a seminar. Our website contains instructions on how to organize one. We have the resources, information, and experts willing to put on a seminar in your area. To be scheduled, contact me at 734-216-4862.

BY KATE O'HARE-PALMER, CHAIR

On January 2, President Biden signed the Senator Elizabeth Dole Home and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act. This will expand the VA’s home and community-based services to all of its medical centers.

Today, 37 percent of veterans are above the age of 65. Age, combined with unique health needs, makes many elderly veterans especially vulnerable to the risks related to living in nursing homes and institutional care. More than 50 veterans service organizations worked to help get that legislation passed. The new law should allow many veterans to age at home, where many already are.

The VA’s Veteran-Directed Care Program provides veterans a flexible budget to hire friends, family, and neighbors to help with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, or the instrumental activities of daily living, such as making meals. One section of the bill that we have spent significant time in committee discussing attempts to ameliorate the lack of timely scheduling of appointments at VA medical facilities. In addition, S. 154 includes appropriations to support initiatives for mobile mammography services for veterans in rural settings, giving them the most comfortable availability and providing more support to their caregivers.

We applaud the leadership of House Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), who worked tirelessly to get this bill through the legislative process.

Many of us have been asked for advice regarding veteran benefits after a spouse has died. It is becoming obvious that a lot of veterans have not filed their benefits claims in a timely way, leaving their spouses adrift without access to DIC benefits. This affects both men and women veterans. Please review your paper-safe information and those important papers to help your family when you are no longer able.

The committee also discussed our legacy and who will carry it forward. We are asking for paperwork related to past committee projects and actions so we can start compiling a timeline and a plan for the future. Many of you reading this have worked on projects and we welcome your input. You can contact me at Koharepalmer@vva.org

The VVA Convention in August will come sooner than we think. Proposed resolutions must be submitted by March 31. Current resolutions, for review, can be found on the VVA website. Women’s History Month will take place in March and I encourage all of you to work with your local veterans and historical groups to create programs for women veterans. Your oral histories are always well received and local newspapers and magazines are interested in sharing your stories of service.

Be kind to others and take care of yourselves.

By DENNIS HOWLAND, CHAIR

Here’s hoping each of you had a happy and fruitful holiday season. Twenty twenty-four was a good and busy year for all of us.

I sincerely believe a good Public Affairs program has an impact on nearly every aspect of Vietnam Veterans of America, whether it is recruiting, fundraising, community service and recognition, or government relations. A good Public Affairs program allows you to get acquainted with the leaders of your communities and your state. That’s a good thing when it comes to getting support for veterans’ programs and legislation.

When I first came to Silver Spring as Public Affairs Committee chair, we presented a motion to the Board of Directors that the organization refrain from using the term “Vietnam era.” It passed unanimously. My email is dhowland@vva.org, if anyone would like to know the long version and the reasons.

I hope each state council and chapter president—or any VVA member—requests a motion in the form of a resolution from their state legislatures commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the war and not include the term “Vietnam era veteran.” It is important that all Vietnam War veterans are recognized and honored for their outstanding service to our nation during a difficult war, regardless of how they added to the effort.

Looking back at 2024 we can feel good about many of the activities the Public Affairs Committee and our organization were involved in. That included two pieces of legislation that we helped VVA lobby for and that James McCormick’s Government Affairs staff and the GA Committee worked hard to enact into law: the Medal of Honor Highway legislation and the Elizabeth Dole Act. This past year the committee offered two new medals created by Wes Guidry to honor Sea Cadets and Civil Air Patrols. Good job by all involved.

The new year promises to be an action-packed, busy, and successful one. We will mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam with a big ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on April 2. The National Convention will be held in New Orleans, August 5-9. I believe those attending the Convention will accomplish a lot of important business, including adopting a resolution on a roadmap for the future of Vietnam Veterans of America. Each of our state councils and chapters should plan a big commemoration of the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy, this year, and then start planning big events in 2026 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S.A. Include local military and community leaders.

THE SURVEY 

VVA conducted a national survey last year to assess members’ opinions on requiring national service and whether VVA should publicly support it. From Sept. 16 to Nov. 7, nearly 9,000 members completed the survey.

The draft ended in 1973, the last time the United States had any type of mandatory national service. Vietnam War veterans are the last Americans who were drafted into the military. Currently, all male citizens ages 18 to 25 must register with the Selective Service, but military service is all-volunteer.

There have been some recent proposals for mandatory national service. One would require young Americans to serve in the military or work on civilian projects, but would not require military service.

Sixty percent of those who responded to the survey strongly supported mandatory national service. That same percentage of VVA members indicated that they would like the organization to officially support the proposal, and publicize that support.

Here’s to a successful and Happy New Year.

Also: Everything we do today will add to and enhance the legacy of Vietnam Veterans of America. We aren’t gone yet.

By GRANT COATES, CHAIR

As of January 3, 2025, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War was 1,573. The countries are Vietnam (1,236); Laos (283); Cambodia (48); and the Peoples Republic of China territorial waters (7). These numbers fluctuate due to investigations that result in changed locations of loss.

On September 23, 2024, while in Hawaii, I received a briefing and tour at the Senator Daniel K. Inouye Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Center of Excellence, also known as the DPAA Hawaii Laboratory. Accompanied by a member of the DPAA Outreach & Communications office and given an in-depth history of operations by a forensic anthropologist, observing the operations was deeply moving and inspirational. The dedication of the staff was impressive, and the respect given to the remains deeply gratifying.

According to DPAA, the office in Hawaii is the largest skeletal identification laboratory in the world. It is staffed by some 150 anthropologists, archaeologists, forensic odontologists, and support personnel.

DPAA has three accredited laboratory locations: two in Hawaii at Hickam Field and Pearl Harbor, and one in Nebraska at Offutt AFB.

DNA samples taken from bones and teeth are submitted to the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory for DNA analysis. That facility is located at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and is the Pentagon’s only human remains DNA testing laboratory. It conducts human remains DNA testing in support of all current and past accounting losses. The laboratory is staffed by more than 150 forensic, scientific, and support personnel, with 97 scientists directly supporting the DPAA’s important mission.

VVA’s Veterans Initiative Program needs your help. Objects taken from the battlefields of Vietnam are more than souvenirs or war trophies. Maps, stories, after-action reports, pictures, and military items may have a story that could result in finding the location of missing war dead.

Contact the Veterans Initiative at:
Veterans Initiative Program
Vietnam Veterans of America
8719 Colesville Rd., Suite 100
Silver Spring, MD 20910
vi@vva.org

By KEN ROSE, NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

As we begin 2025, we must look ahead to the many challenges facing veterans and VAVS as we grapple with a new Congress and potential changes to health care and benefits for veterans. It is possible that funding for the VA and veteran-related interests may be endangered, and VVA will have to monitor our programs and be ready to react to changes.

We also can look at our legacy as 2025 begins, a legacy that is becoming clearer every day. With an eye toward the dissolution plan ratified at the 2023 National Convention, VAVS is looking at possible programs that might be able to maintain what we have built over the years. In the next issue, I hope to be able to lay out some of our exciting VAVS Legacy plans.

This year there will be big events at the VAMCs during the National Salute to Veteran Patients Week in February. In-patient veterans can look forward to a week of events and activities at all VAMCs across the country.

Two other events of interest happening at VAs this year are the Creative Arts Festival and the National Wheelchair Games.

The Creative Arts Festival pulls finalists from VAMCs across the country and allows them to showcase their work and compete for prizes. The Wheelchair Games offers competition in dozens of sports; hundreds of veterans gather to compete. The show of athleticism among the participants is truly impressive. I have volunteered at both events in the past, and I can say confidently that they are very worthwhile experiences.

In the last issue, I provided a website for Stamps for the Wounded, an organization that accepts postage stamps to provide to stamp-collecting veterans. For those without internet access, here is the mailing address:

Stamps for The Wounded
P.O. Box 297
Dunn Loring, Virginia 22027

As always, please contact me with any questions or problems at d35cav9thkrose@yahoo.com or call 215-527-3494 and leave a message.

By DICK SOUTHERN, CHAIR

Can we increase VVA membership numbers to 93,000? Yes we can, and we will. As of the end of November, we were at 92,374 members. This is the year to reach 93,000.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate our progress in membership. With more than 92,000 members, we continue to add around 200 new members a month, and lose about 90. The average number of members in chapters is now 120, and we are looking to start new chapters when appropriate. Our goal of 92,000 members was achieved last year through the concerted effort of all involved.

Here are some statistics about Vietnam War veterans. There are 6.6 million of us living in America and abroad who served on active duty from November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975, at any location. Sixteen percent of the United States population is 65 and over, and 44 percent are male. One in every three males 65 and over of age is a Vietnam War veteran.

These statistics underscore the importance of outreach and recruitment efforts to tap into the large demographic of veterans who are eligible to benefit from joining VVA. Many prospective members are waiting for you to invite them to join us as Life members. Here’s my favorite hint: look for ball caps.

The Membership Affairs Committee is here to support you in your recruitment efforts. As a membership organization, we have a profound impact on veterans’ lives, helping them and their families by working to get legislation passed to ensure benefits for their military service.

By TOM HALL, PH.D., CHAIR

With the New Year upon us, the VVA Committee on PTSD and Substance Use Disorder has noticed some worrying suicide statistics among our population.

The VA recently released its 2024 Suicide Report. It says that the number of veterans who died by suicide last year—nearly 18 a day—was about the same as it was in 2023, and was down from a peak in 2018. Plus, progress was reported among women and younger veterans.

But the report also found that veterans aged 75 years and older had the highest suicide rate, an alarming 77.1 per 100,000, an increase of 8.7 percent. This came while the 18-34 cohort’s suicide rate decreased by 15.1 percent and for those 35-54, the rate dropped by 8 percent; Vietnam War veterans suicide rates, on the other hand, increased by 8.7 percent.

VVA’s Founding Principle says, “Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another.” So, it’s crucial that we continue to battle for earned benefits for all veterans. We must continue to advocate for the kind of outreach and benefits support to allow veterans to stand on their own two feet and have better access to healthcare and mental health programs.

Suicide is often predicated on a lack of hope to fit in and a sense of being burdensome. As we age, other factors come into play. For example, the psychological impact that can come with managing physical illnesses and injuries, or when children move away and have their own families, or worsening financial issues can lead to hopelessness and isolation.

Veterans have earned the kind of support provided by the VA’s Together with Veterans program for rural veteran suicide prevention outreach. The VA’s Continuing Care program helps veterans support gains made in behavioral health treatment. Continuing Care needs to be reinforced by the VA to support veterans’ integration into their communities and still have the veteran community to sustain their continued growth whether they are 25 or 75.

We will work with the VA to structure and implement policies to build veteran engagement. VVA also will continue to work with legislators and the VA to help all veterans become aware of, and have access to, the benefits they earned.

Our mission in the coming year remains the same: to leave no veteran behind and to help veterans come all the way home.

By CHUCK BYERS & Allan Perkal, CO-CHAIR's

On January 2, President Biden signed the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act into law. The new law has a short name, the Dole Act, but it has wide-reaching benefits for veterans and their caregivers.

VVA has worked for more than two years with many other organizations to include dozens of sections in the bill that reform and improve the VA’s delivery of services. These improvements enhance services by ultimately putting veterans, their families, their survivors, and their caregivers first.

“This bipartisan bill is a testament to Vietnam Veterans of America’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of veterans,” VVA President Jack McManus said. “It is our duty to ensure that no veteran is left behind, and the passage of this act is a crucial step toward fulfilling that promise.”

WHAT'S IN IT 

Among other things, the Dole Act:

A key benefit for Vietnam War veterans is that this legislation gives severely ill and aging veterans the choice to convalesce at home by providing for the veteran’s caregivers.

Additionally, the Dole Act expands economic and educational opportunities, improves the disability claims process, combats veteran homelessness, and holds the VA accountable to veterans and taxpayers.

The Health Care Committee applauds the VVA members, leaders, and staff, as well as the dedicated coalition of stakeholders, who worked so hard at the local, state, and federal levels to help the Dole Act become a reality.

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