BY JUSTIN LATINI

We were honored that many chapters throughout Region 1 participated in Memorial Day events. From motorcycle fundraiser rides to solemn ceremonies at monuments and memorials, VVA chapter members were front and center, showing our respect and ensuring that those who made the ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

At the Region 1 Conference in Rutland, state presidents spoke about the programs and accomplishments of their chapters. The resolutions for the upcoming Convention in New Orleans were also a popular topic of discussion.

Our organization’s legacy, as well as the members’ desire to move forward together, will be a challenging balance to navigate these next few years. As chapters begin to close, our more robust and active chapters must emerge to continue our mission and to ensure that our legacy will live on.

For some chapters, it will be a last-man-standing situation; for others, the goal will be to merge with other veterans’ groups to continue our work and ensure that what we have accomplished is not undone or forgotten.

Each member, chapter, and state council will have to make hard choices going forward, remembering always that, in VVA, it is the membership that charts the organization’s course. Hope to see you all in New Orleans.

BY ROSSIE NANCE

Life has a way of overwhelming us all sometimes, and so it was that I was unable to provide an update last issue. Fortunately, the month of May is one of the busiest times of the year, and I’m thrilled to be back out and about with plenty to report.

Springtime is among us, and schools, churches, sports events, and fundraisers will want your support and attendance. Region 3 is no different, and between the state meetings and local cookouts, our members are busy and active enjoying the warmer weather and making VVA visible.

I recently attended an event for the Siouan Indian Tribe in Buckhead, N.C., called The Gathering. This was a celebration of friendship and Native American culture, and Agent Orange Medals were presented to veterans who served in the Vietnam War. These events are important as they allow the community to express gratitude to veterans who have served proudly and, often, in silence.

In closing, I would like to bring up another important thought that applies to deceased and living Vietnam War veterans. In the past six weeks six of my close friends passed away. As an older group of veterans, it is important to keep in touch with and value our friends and fellow veterans. We all, as Robert Frost might say, were thrust upon the “road less traveled,” but as we look back, we may be able to agree the journey was still worth the hardship.

BY JOHN RILING III

On April 23, I attended the special Board meeting in Silver Spring with other region directors for the presentation of the proposed plan for the future of VVA. While I had to leave early due to a family emergency, the Region was well represented with Michigan State Council Secretary Gary Estermyer and 1st Vice President Mike Goodpaster taking part in Board and committee meetings. They also joined in the presentation of the wreaths at The Wall.

Since the special Board meeting, I have attended many chapter meetings to help answer questions about the plan. Every member had informative and excellent questions about the future of VVA, and I was pleased to see that the transformation of VVA into the VVA Legacy Society was well received.

What I heard from Region 5 membership is that none of us want VVA to go away. With this plan, it will not and our legacy will continue into the future.

I represented VVA at Memorial Day parades in Lincoln Park, Dearborn, and Trenton, Michigan, where I had the honor of being Grand Marshall. I look forward to seeing all members at the upcoming Convention, which will undoubtedly be one of the most important in VVA history.

BY FRANCISCO F. IVARRA

It was a busy but rewarding April and May attending Region 8 state council meetings.

On April 12, I attended the Oregon State Council meeting at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon. During the meeting S.C. President Bill Duncan addressed the topics for discussion. The main two issues of discussion centered on the continuing efforts to restore the VA Hospital in Roseburg and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Salem. Former state President Jaycee Newman attended the meeting and received a VVA Region 8 Certificate of Appreciation.

Washington held its state council meeting April 19 at the Yakima Nation Veteran Affairs building in Toppenish. We had great attendance, which included VVA/VSO Chief Service Officer Jeannie Ebert and the state VSOs. All chapters held activities on Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29.

I attended the annual Yakima Warriors Association Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event, and state Treasurer Odis Warren helped coordinate the Veterans Suicide Prevention Course with the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs at Ocean Shores on March 29.

Chapter 879 President Robert Stepp and his members were involved with Vietnam Veterans Day ceremonies, and Michael Routt and Mike Jones served as chaperones during the April 16-17 Inland Empire Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Chapter members will be working at the North Idaho Veterans Standdown.

Mountlake Terrace Chapter 423 joined with other VSOs to present $1,500 to Sebastian Place, a 20-unit veteran housing complex for low income and disabled veterans. Chapter 102 President Joel Ware witnessed Gov. Bob Ferguson signing a bill that will phase down disability rating requirements so that veterans are eligible for property tax relief.

I attended the Montana state Council meeting May 3, in Bozeman. Chapter presidents gave reports, but the majority of the meeting was a discussion on the proposed VVA Legacy Society plan. On April 30, to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, veterans gathered at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Bozeman. The program ended with a 21-gun salute and “Taps.” I want to thank state Secretary Al Sperry for sharing information on the Veterans Memorial in Hamilton and for his invitation to visit that grand Memorial honoring all veterans.

Idaho held its state council meeting on April 10, in Rupert, Idaho, at the VSO building. President Paul Sherman held a well-attended meeting. The main items of discussion were the VVA Legacy Society proposed plan and a plan presented by Vice President Craig Hoyt to improve communications among the state council, chapters, and membership. State Secretary/Treasurer Chuck Driscoll, who hosted the meeting, gave me a beautiful lap blanket made by the Hook and Needles group at the Rupert United Methodist Church.

Alaska State Council President Craig Wade and his chapters continue to provide services to veterans in local and remote villages. Alaska’s VSO program remains effective and membership keeps increasing. I admire my friend Craig Wade and Alaska VVA should be proud having such solid representation.

I attended the 35th annual Memorial Day commemoration hosted by Chapter 423. The program was held at Floral Hills Cemetery in Lynnwood, Washington.

Blessings to all of you and we look forward to seeing you at our National Convention in New Orleans. Peace.

BY DICK SOUTHERN

The chapters and state councils in Region 9 have been very busy. Almost daily, I hear about chapters holding fundraisers, ceremonies, and lunches, as well as sponsoring Wall replicas and attending meetings.

The 2025 VVA National Convention will be held at the Marriott in New Orleans from August 5-9 and is the reason for much of the activity and excitement in the region. I am looking forward to a good turnout of Region 9 delegates.

Please pay attention to submitting Finance and Election reports by July 15. Your state council and chapter delegates will not be seated at the Convention if the reports are not submitted on time.

With a membership in Region 9’s seven states, the Territory of Guam, and the Philippines, it is challenging to stay in touch with state councils, chapters, and members, but I make every effort to do so.

I will continue to advocate for Region 9 veterans and their families as I attend state council and chapter meetings and participate in National Board of Directors meetings and VVA events. One of my goals for 2025 is for all the state councils to increase the number of their chapters. This can be accomplished by actively recruiting new members.

I pray that you all stay safe, stay well, and check on your friends. In the meantime, I am available by email. You can contact me at dick.southern@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

AT-LARGE

BY STEVE WILLIAMS

Every veteran’s story is a chapter in the larger narrative of our nation’s history. From the jungles of Vietnam to the streets of our hometowns and cities, we have faced extraordinary challenges, endured unimaginable hardships, and displayed remarkable resilience.

Yet, our service did not end when the uniform was retired. Many veterans have carried the scars of war, both visible and invisible, long after returning home. There are still many of our brothers missing in action. That is why I have joined the POW/MIA Committee to help account for the Vietnam War MIAs.

The war was a defining moment for an entire generation. We often faced unique obstacles, including the stigma and political controversies surrounding the war. Despite these challenges, we have paved the way in advocating for healthcare reforms, mental health awareness, and peer support systems that benefit all who have served.

VVA has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community among Vietnam War veterans, ensuring our voices are heard and our needs addressed. From Agent Orange exposure to PTSD treatment, VVA has championed causes that resonate far beyond the 1960s and 1970s.

At the National Convention in August we will be faced with planning VVA’s future. As many organizations must do, we will be making decisions that will serve as a guideline for our future—not a rigid checklist. I have always learned to plan and work to achieve an equitable outcome. As we move toward turning out the lights, let us ask for strong leadership and a sense of responsibility to do what is best for the organization and its members.

I am with you, and I commit to achieving the best outcome for the organization. I hope to see you at the Convention in New Orleans and pray that you all may be well. God bless VVA and God bless America.

AT-LARGE

BY RICHARD LINDBECK

This is one of the hardest reports that I have written since becoming a member of Vietnam Veterans of America. I joined VVA in 1985 as a member of Chapter 448 in Newburg, Wisconsin, with the intention of just being a member of a veteran organization with fellow Vietnam War veterans.

I started attending state council meetings and became more involved. At one of them, I asked why we did not have a Sergeant-at-Arms and was immediately appointed to fill the vacancy.

In 1991, I was elected President of the Wisconsin State Council. When I attended the first Conference of State Council Presidents meeting, I met Dan Stenvold and he asked me to get active in the CSCP. I told him I was not interested, but as it turned out, that was not true. I proudly served in several CSCP leadership positions over the years.

When I concluded my time as a state president, I ran for an At-Large seat on the National Board of Directors and was elected. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be in a position to make decisions on how a national organization runs, but I am proud that I can say that I was, and that I did so successfully.

When former VVA President John Rowan asked me to take on the position of Credentials Chair for the National Convention, I thought it might allow me to meet more of the membership and see how VVA conducted business. It was my pleasure to serve in that capacity for the Conventions in New Orleans in 2017, and in Spokane, Jacksonville, and Orlando.

I began work on the 2025 Convention with a central goal to improve the registration process, making it easier and more convenient for members to sign up and attend. As a result, delegates will be using a QR-code, and I hope it will serve to streamline registration significantly.

I began this report by saying it was a difficult one to write. Recently, my wife has been fighting a difficult health condition, and I have decided to focus on her care and not run for the National Board this year. I will also unfortunately be unable to attend the Convention.

This is the right decision for me and my wife, but it was not an easy one. Please be assured that I am not abandoning VVA; I will continue to support the organization in any way I can, and I will be making the state labels for the Convention floor, which will be shipped to New Orleans.

I, like all of us, have to put my best foot forward and support the plan for our organization’s best steps that is put forward at the Convention.

Before I conclude business, I was advised that I made a mistake in my last report: I had said that the QR-code we are introducing for this Convention will be used for registration, voting, and meal tickets. But please note: The QR-Code is for registration only. Meal tickets and voting cards will still be issued.

It has been a privilege and honor to serve on the National Board and CSCP over the last two-plus years. I want to thank everyone who supported me in the greatest VSO there is.

Our accomplishments have exceeded all expectations. VVA is at the forefront of all veterans organizations.

Welcome home, and carry on.

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