BY JUSTIN LATINI

As we begin a new year, I would like to reflect on the accomplishments and milestones we reached in 2025. As we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in March, chapters throughout Region 1 kept the promise to remember and honor those who came before us at ceremonies across the region.

Chapters who remain active and engaged in their communities will remain VVA strong; however now more than ever, we must be willing to reinvent ourselves if we find our chapters faltering. Our membership is growing at a time when our members are aging. That’s because we are actively connecting with veterans who are unaware of who we are, and those who need more from other VSOs. By maintaining this diligence and creativity in Region 1, our chapters will continue to thrive.

As we look toward 2026, I am hopeful we will remain vigilant in our mission to secure the benefits that we earned and ensure that any cuts made will not affect our services. We will continue to hold fast and continue to hold ceremonies, advocating for all veterans in the future and strengthening our organization by engaging in partnerships with other organizations.

I believe our future is bright. We are not done with our mission.

BY TED WILKINSON

My report begins on a sad note, with the passing of Francisco Muñiz. He joined VVA in 1980 and dedicated 40-plus years of his life to the organization serving on the National Board; as a National committee chair; as editor for the New York State Council newspaper; and through decades as NYSC secretary. He will truly be missed.

Last year’s Veterans Day was extremely cold, but I was fortunate to be riding in a Huey gunship in a local parade. I stayed quite warm and the surroundings brought back a few memories. I found more cold weather when I attended the New York State Council meeting in Saratoga from December 5-7. The meeting was very informative and VVA General Counsel Dominick Yezzo gave us some excellent information.

Chapter financial reports and election reports are mandatory, and, as always, the deadline is July 15. As I write this report, Region 2 has seven chapters suspended for not having completed their reports. Please do all you can to get them completed and in on time.

The Wall That Heals will be coming through Region 2 three times during 2026. The schedule is as follows:

I want to close this report by congratulating former VVA National President John Rowan, who received an award commemorating his service on the New York City Department of Veterans’ Service’s Veterans Advisory Board.

BY MARC GOODELL

At the risk of repeating myself, I must report my planned October trip to Puerto Rico to meet with VVA chapters was cut short because of the government shutdown. I am happy to say that it has been rescheduled for the third week of February. Marc McCabe and I will tour the island and meet with VVA members, service officers, and the leadership at the VA Medical Center in San Juan.

I am particularly interested in the recent announcement by VA Secretary Collins concerning healthcare restructuring and what this announcement entails. I hope in two months we will have some time behind us to gauge the progress of any change and whether that change has been good or bad.

The past two months have been busy for all of us. From Veterans Day ceremonies and food drives for Thanksgiving, to toy drives and services for Christmas and Hannukah and Wreaths Across America, we seem to always be renewing our commitment to each other. Thank you all for your efforts.

Special recognition to Bill Martin, Georgia State Council president, who was recognized as an honorary co-captain of the Atlanta Falcons on the NFL’s Salute to Veterans Sunday in November. Good show.

Region 4 will soon have a representative on the VVA Legacy Task Force. The primary focus of the LTF is documenting our past. The LTF will also have an influence on the plan for VVA’s future. Our representative will be Region 4’s voice in that conversation.

Dovetailing with that thought is the conversation about re-incorporating. Eventually, VVA will need to reincorporate its chapters and state councils, regardless of what happens with National. Chapters and state councils should discuss the direction they want to go and how this choice will affect their future. This doesn’t have to be done tomorrow, but setting a course of action has to be part of your conversation. Guidance and advice are readily available.

Until next time, have a safe and joyous New Year.

BY GARY ESTERMEYER

I have continued my travels throughout Region 5 over these last few months. I drove down to attend the Illinois State Council meeting in Peru, Ill. on November 8. They had a nice turnout and State Council President Fred Barks conducted a lively meeting that covered many subjects.

On November 11, I attended the Veterans Day ceremony conducted by my local chapter, Plymouth-Canton, Michigan, Chapter 528 in downtown Plymouth.

On November 15th, I attended the Indiana State Council meeting at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, followed by an afternoon Survivors and Spouses benefit seminar that the SC hosted. Great, relevant information was shared. Contact Indiana SC President Mike Dolan if you’d like information on how to hold a similar seminar in your area.

On the morning of December 6, I participated in the Michigan State Council meeting as the SC secretary. Representatives of 12 chapters attended the meeting in Port Huron, Mich., hosted by Marysville, Mich., Chapter 1083. Tom Burke attended and gave a detailed report on his view of the future of VVA.

Later that evening, 11 of us shared a table at Chapter 154’s Operation Christmas Dinner Dance in Clinton Township. More than 500 people showed up to support this big annual fundraiser.

My December travels ended at the Claremont County, Ohio, Chapter 649 general membership meeting in Cincinnati, and the Ohio State Council Executive Committee meeting and Christmas party the next day. Ohio SC President Richard Arthur covered a lot of ground at the meeting and he even emceed at the party that evening.

I plan to attend the National BOD meeting at the end of January and meet up again with Region 5 attendees. We made it through 2025 with a few bumps and bruises. I’m hopeful for a smoother year ahead.

To leave you with a fun fact: VVA received its congressional charter 40 years ago, on January 21, 1986.

BY JOHN MARGOWSKI

When the delegates at the 2025 National Convention strongly rejected a proposed plan for dissolution, the Officers and Board of Directors were given a mandate to develop a new plan. During the next two years, it will be up to the Board and Officers to come up with one that will be acceptable to the membership when presented at the 2027 National Convention.

As a new plan is developed, it will be imperative that the membership is updated frequently on the plan’s progress.

The VVA Board members and state council presidents have received a clear set of instructions on the different actions that can be taken by chapters and state councils when the National Corporation dissolves. I sent that information to the Minnesota chapters and to the Region 6 state council presidents with instructions to disseminate that information to their chapters.

Happy New Year to all as we progress in this new planning phase.

BY CHUCK RENEVIER

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season. Region 8 members have all been very busy during this time helping many veterans and their families.

Portland, Oregon, Chapter 392 is spearheading an effort to study the feasibility of establishing a National Vietnam War museum. They have reached out to VVA’s Legacy Task Force for input. Roseberg, Oregon, Chapter 805 worked with members of the community to place 7,000 wreaths at Roseberg National Cemetery in December. Members of Salem, Oregon, Chapter 271 delivered Thanksgiving meals to local veterans in need.

In Washington, many chapters have been performing remarkable acts of charity and remembrance in their communities. Inland Empire Chapter 879 hosted ice cream socials for Veterans Day at the Spokane Veterans Home and the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls. On December 7, Chapter 879 members Bob Stepp and Mike Jones took part in ceremonies at the Pearl Harbor Survivors Stone memorial in Spokane.

Sno-King Chapter 423 members Steve Pennington, Dave McFeron, Dennis Gibb, and John Henderson delivered Christmas dinners to Sebastian Place in Lynwood, Washington, a supportive housing community for disabled and low-income veterans. Bellingham, Washington, Chapter 165, in partnership with Washington AVVA members, worked tirelessly to gather supplies and equipment for flood victims in Everson and Nooksack. In 2025, Chapter 165 donated more than $31,000 to help veterans and their families in need.

In Montana, many VVA chapters worked with local DAR chapters in the Wreaths Across America project. Southwest Montana Chapter 788 members volunteered again this year for the Salvation Army’s bell ringing fundraiser. Every Friday beginning in early November, chapter members worked two two-hour shifts ringing bells outside a grocery store in Bozeman. The chapter is planning a Town Hall meeting in May on aging veterans’ issues.

Thanks to the chapters that provided me with this information to share here. I appreciate every one of you and the work you all do. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.

BY DICK SOUTHERN

The chapters and state councils in Region 9 have been working hard. They are holding fundraisers, ceremonies, lunches, and dinners, along with holding an array of community service programs and attending meetings. Fundraising efforts have also been successful and continue. There is excitement in Region 9 about increasing membership.

I will continue to advocate for Region 9 veterans and their families as I attend state council and chapter meetings throughout the region and participate in National Board of Directors meetings and VVA National events. With a membership of 11,000-plus members, it is challenging to stay in touch with all the state councils, chapters, and members in the region, but I make every effort to do so.

One of my goals for 2026 is for each state council in Region 9 to increase the number of members and chapters in their state. This can be accomplished by actively recruiting new members.

I pray that you all stay safe, stay well, and check on your buddies. I am available by e-mail. You can contact me at dick.southern@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

AT-LARGE

BY STEVE WILLIAMS

Greetings and Happy New Year, brothers and sisters. As the New Year begins, I am reflecting on what our organization has accomplished and looking forward to the journey we begin in an important and nostalgic time. As a nation, we will celebrate 250 years of independence and freedom not found in any other country in the world.

Knowing what we have achieved, VVA will face challenging times as we approach the end of a journey. We are an organization that has accomplished many wonderful and memorable objectives over the years, and we need to continue down that path as we plan our future.

We must continue our mission, face our challenges, and forge a pathway for future generations to follow. In doing so, we must take the opportunity to listen to each other, ask constructive questions, and open our minds and hearts to each other.

Very few organizations have faced the challenges that we have before us, so we must find a way to preserve our legacy. I urge you to participate in this process. Talk to your chapter, state council, and national officials in a constructive and meaningful way. Provide information, as well as your feelings, in an initiative-taking manner.

None of us has all the answers, but together we can make the journey a process filled with love and admiration for the service that we have given and continue to give as we take the road less traveled.

In 2026, I hope I can serve you well as a director at large and may God bless you and your families.

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