On a chilly but otherwise picturesque November 11 in Washington, D.C., the crowd was about a third of what it usually is for Veterans Day. Airline uncertainties and cold weather for the locals kept the crowd down.

It was the coldest that I can remember in my 14 years of being there. But VVA President Tom Burke was the Keynote speaker, and he was great. He said that he was the first VVA president to speak at The Wall on Veterans Day (which surprised me). He was impressive.

He made the point that there is no such thing as a Vietnam Era veteran. That the term tended to improperly diminish those who did not serve in Vietnam during the war. He pointed out that we have never said that someone was a “World War I Era veteran” or a “World War II or Korean War Era veteran.” If you served, you are a full and complete Vietnam War veteran...period.

He was a commanding presence. I loved every moment of his speech.

Steve Learned
via email

The legacy of VVA has been established by the blood, sweat, and tears of those on The Wall and the dedicated leaders like Tom Burke who have guided our organization through many challenges over the years.

No matter how long you beat the drum of legacy, the fact remains that father time is taking its toll on Vietnam vets. When VVA has finally been laid to rest, there will be no shortage of venerable veterans organizations for those folks to join and further their efforts in the veteran community.

Ron Lovel
Marquette County, Michigan

VVA is similar to many episodic veterans groups, such as the Grand Army of the Republic. Once the membership dies off, what’s next, or is there a next? Perhaps we ought to muster our resources and support a university that will tell our story the way we know it to be.

In the end, we will indeed close our doors. We can preserve our memories but we must act soon. The GAR evolved into the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. We can chart a similar path if we have the courage to recognize our mortality.

Dr. James N Phillips Jr.
via email

Just got done reading the article containing Bill Broyles’ Keynote speech at the National Convention. It was great and I have to comment on a paragraph near the end that hit home very hard.

The paragraph reads: “I’ve learned that the best cure for the fear of dying is to live. To embrace life as it is and myself who I am. To love everyone and everything because the Kingdom of God is each of us and we are all one.”

These are some of the greatest words of advice that I have ever read. So inspiring. Thank you, Bill.

Vinny Melesko
via email

I was moved to tears when I read Bill Broyles’ Keynote speech in the September/October issue.

Never before have I heard a more honest, sincere, and concise telling of what it was like over there and, afterwards, back here. I was there, but I was not out looking for Charlie, and never called upon to fire my weapon, but I seem to have experienced some of the same PTSD as others.

I thought I had dealt with it reasonably, yet my reaction to Mr. Broyles’ speech tells me otherwise. I’m sure many others who read this speech in the issue were similarly affected. Thank you so much for printing his words. They mean so very much to those of us who were not able to attend.

Bill Nowell
via email

Thank you for publishing Bill Broyle’s Keynote speech. I attended the VVA National Convention and was sitting in the room full of delegates when he was introduced and started his presentation. Because of distractions in the room or my wandering mind, I missed his words and message.

Reading the article gave me the insight he was trying to convey. Well put and Welcome Home to all my brothers whom I have not thought of in 50 years. I want to thank them for having my back.

Deek "Poncho" Segovia
via email

I am confused. We select a new president who claims we did not accomplish much at our last convention. Tom Burke (a good man) says much about what the officers and Board worked so hard to bring forth went down to defeat, claiming that many of us do not understand what they were trying to do—that we were confused.

I believe that there is so much emphasis on closure that the officers and Board don’t understand exactly what the membership wants. Two national conventions in a row have voted down resolutions to dissolve VVA and set up a legacy society.

Brothers and sisters, we are living our legacy right now by continuing the wonderful work VVA has been doing since 1978. I think a concentrated effort by our officers and Board to reverse their thinking about ending our national organization is in order. Let’s fight and do whatever it takes to continue the wonderful existence of VVA.

As the majority of our membership has expressed, keep this organization going as long as we can. We’re not ready to change our situation, but we realize certain changes are in order. Let’s work together to keep the lights on.

Kevin Calkins
via email

President Tom Burke stated that he is open to all suggestions as how to make the legacy of our organization happen, and I will attempt to offer one. VVA’s Final Chapter is too abrupt and tantamount to driving the final nail into our coffin. Yes, we are all getting older, but by my calculation, we have a good 20-to-30 years to enjoy and pass on our legacy to younger veterans.

Our new mantra should be, “VVA: Living Legacy.” Embrace it, live it, and pass on our legacy for other veterans to look up to and emulate. Our country threw us away once and turned their backs on us. Do not let our organization throw us away again.

Robert Pitchford
via email

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