The New Hampshire State Veterans Advisory Council recently presented its 1% Award to two members of Central New Hampshire Chapter 41, Michael Lopez and chapter President Raymond Goulet. The award is given to veterans who “have gone above and beyond in serving their fellow veterans with service, leadership, and fundraising.” They were presented with their awards in a ceremony at the New Hampshire State House in Concord by Gov. Kelly Ayotte.

Since 2023, members of Cumming, Georgia, Chapter 1030 have made regular monthly visits to veterans in local assisted living facilities where they take part in a meet-and-greet followed by a Bingo game. Chapter member Tom Kirby came up with the idea of presenting each veteran a military ball cap with the emblem of their service branch during the visits. The chapter also holds breakfast get-togethers for veterans every Friday morning at The Station House of Cumming restaurant.

Denver, Colorado, Chapter 1071 has recently established a Speaker Bureau to provide Vietnam War veterans to local schools to speak to classes and assemblies about the war and veterans’ issues. The 90-minute sessions usually include three or four chapter members. “The experience has proven to be rewarding for both students and our members,” said chapter Speaker Bureau Coordinator Doug Nunes. “Faculty feedback continues to be enthusiastic. We add real life experience to the Vietnam War story for high school students in history and social studies classes.”

Indianapolis, Indiana, Sammy L. Davis Chapter 295 hosted a luncheon for veterans and their families on February 21 at the VA’s Veterans Center in Lawrence, Indiana, during which the chapter provided information about veterans benefits for veterans’ spouses. “The genesis of this presentation was our realization that we are doing a great job helping veterans get the benefits they had earned, but we were not doing a very good job of explaining the benefits their spouses and survivors are eligible for,” said chapter President Dennis Smalling. “Since we’ve been doing these briefings, we have helped many veterans and their families get the benefits they have earned.”

Courtesy Chapter 109

Members of Moore County, North Carolina, Chapter 996 visit veterans at the Greens at Pinehurst Rehabilitation & Living Center on the third Tuesday of every month. Members arrive at 10:00 and have coffee and conversation with veterans who live there as well as short-term rehab residents.

In December, Grass Valley, California, Chapter 535 paid a significant portion of the funeral costs for the family of a wheelchair-bound veteran who was struck and killed by a motorist. The chapter also donated $1,780 to a local student veteran for unexpected costly auto repairs.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Chapter 852 celebrated its 25th anniversary in November with a festive dinner-dance. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, who served as the 33rd commanding general of the First Army at Fort Gillem, Georgia, and is best known for his role as the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, the military relief effort after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, was the Keynote speaker. Gen. Honore gave the Keynote speech at VVA’s 2009 National Convention in Louisville. At the event, Joe Jenkins, who has served as chapter president for 24 years, and other chapter members received certificates recognizing their steadfast dedication to VVA’s mission.

Courtesy Don Brown/Chapter 970

Franklin, Tennessee, Chapter 1140 recently honored Carole Robinson of The Williamson Herald by making her an Honorary Life Member of VVA in recognition of her long-time coverage and support of the chapter and local veterans. Carole Robinson, “has come to most of our events, probably 99 percent. And to most of our meetings,” said Chapter President Rich Krejsa. “She has even helped when we were at the Tennessee State Veterans Home repairing benches.” Her work “keeps our name out there.”

Hammond, Louisiana, Chapter 1052 recently honored Strader Cieutat, a local Parish Councilwoman and long-time employee of the Tangipahoa Parish School System, for organizing the Ponchatoula Celebrates Veterans Parade and Celebration in November last year. The chapter helped sponsor the parade, which will become an annual event.

At the Rutland, Vermont, Chapter One holiday event December 11 at the local VFW post, chapter Vice President Larry Gold presented a $2,000 check to the post’s commander, John Pisanelli, who also is a member of Chapter One. It will be used to buy a defibrillator for the post, where the chapter holds its monthly meetings.

Photo courtesy Bill Patton/VVA

Former Rockland County, New York, Chapter 333 president Ray Furlong was named County Veteran of the Year for 2025 by the Rockland County Veterans Coordinating Council. “It was a well-deserved accolade,” said Roy Tschudy, the chapter’s Sergeant at Arms. “Ray continues to display his good works in the veteran community as well in the public forums.” The chapter raised more than $8,000 last year to fund chapter activities. That includes 24-hour Watch Fire events that honor active-duty servicemembers and those who have perished in America’s wars. They are held at midnight on May 30 at Bowline Point Park, Eugene Levy Memorial Park, Clausland Mountain Park, and Piermont Pier. “Hundreds of veterans and elected officials turn out to witness these fires,” Tschudy said. We have “remodeled them upon Revolutionary War signal fires that George Washington created along the Hudson River for lost soldiers to find their way home.”

Ocean City, Maryland, Chapter 1091, and its legacy AVVA 1091 partner, run a Computer Help Class program for members who need to hone their computer skills, including learning to use LogIn.gov for VA and other government websites. “There’s another possible computer benefit for those who need it,” chapter President Bob Gilmore said. “From time to time, we are gifted working computers to give to veterans who need one. We not only will teach you how to use a computer, we might also be able to give you one.”

Angel Almedina Memorial Chapter 126 in Manhattan, New York’s affiliated nonprofit 501 (c)(3) The VVA 126 Foundation provides direct assistance to local veterans in need. The chapter and foundation recently started a program at the VA’s New York Harbor Healthcare System’s Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus on East 23rd Street in Manhattan to help homeless veterans.

The foundation and chapter Boards “agreed to collaborate in establishing and funding a program to address the clothing and special needs of homeless veterans,” said Fred Gasior, the VVA 126 Foundation’s president.

With the VA’s approval, a team of chapter volunteer service representatives works in a suite of rooms at the hospital “equipped with shelving and hanging racks to facilitate clothing organization. Our team manages this and actively distributes items to homeless and disadvantaged veterans. We have provided clothing for more than 75 veterans every month.”

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