BY JUSTIN LATINI

As the Board of Directors faces another round of major decisions regarding the future of VVA, allow me to thank the chapter presidents and state councils of Region 1 for letting me know about the ways that their members have engaged in these often difficult and complex discussions. Their input is invaluable to me as I prepare to vote on upcoming motions.

Region 1 chapters held many events for Vietnam War Veterans Day in March, from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Fall River, to the State House in Rhode Island. The state of Rhode Island has also finally begun to move forward on a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Providence, as the governor and mayor are now on board.

Good weather in the region should have members returning to monthly meetings as events are planned for the upcoming holidays. Just a reminder: If you are holding events, please let me know.

The National Board of Directors will be making important decisions on how VVA can save money moving forward, as we examine our monthly expenses and staffing. We most likely will be finalizing a plan to be presented to the delegates at the 2027 National Convention about opening the organization to younger veterans or relocating the VVA National office. I would like to hear from Region 1 members with their thoughts about that.

BY TED WILKINSON

VVA lost an extremely dedicated member recently with the passing of Joe Kristek. He was a director with the New York State Council for many years before moving on to become North Carolina State Council president and serving on the VVA national board. He will be missed, and our thoughts are with his family.

A ceremony recognizing Vietnam War veterans was held on March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, at The Wall. At its conclusion, the 2026 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s Service Beyond Service Award recipients laid a wreath at The Wall, followed by “Taps.” One recipient was Nicholas C. Valenti, former Central District Director and current New York State Council Secretary for Region 2.

The Delaware State Council submitted Terry Baker, resident of Chapter 83, as a nominee to serve on the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, and the submission was approved by Governor Matt Meyer. Created by Vietnam War veterans Paul Davis and Dave Skocik, the commission lobbies on behalf of the state’s veterans. It spearheaded the effort to enact a law creating a Governor’s Cabinet Secretary for Veterans Affairs in Delaware.

The New Jersey State Council will hold a meeting to elect officers on June 28 in Hazlet Township, N.J. Lunch will be provided. For info, call Carlton Rhodes at 908-803-1671.

The New York State Council will hold its meeting to elect officers on June 27 in Nichols, N.Y. Lunch is also provided, and questions should be sent to Ned Foote at 518-338-8147.

Finally, the Pennsylvania State Council will hold its meeting to elect officers and directors on May 29-30 in State College, Pa. Lunch will be provided. For questions, call Bill Champion at 215-639-0185.

BY MARC GOODELL

As we move into spring and prepare for another hot, humid summer, I want to offer all my brothers and sisters a heartfelt, if belated, “Welcome Home” as we marked Vietnam Veterans Day.

I had the honor of attending two Florida ceremonies. In Daytona Beach, Chapter 1048 dedicated a granite monument to Vietnam veterans at Veterans Memorial Park along the Halifax River. Thanks to past president Bob Atkins for spearheading the effort and to current president Richard Sawicki for organizing the service.

The second ceremony was in Green Cove Springs, hosted by Chapter 1059 President David Treffinger and Florida State Council President Gary Newman. Guest speaker David Huffman of Mission POW/MIA spoke about that group’s efforts to repatriate our MIAs’ remains while also helping the Vietnamese recover and identify their own missing.

Mission POW/MIA is asking veterans and families to consider donating artifacts brought home from Vietnam. These items can serve as gestures of goodwill in dealings with Vietnamese authorities.

I also want to highlight a troubling case involving one of our incarcerated Florida members. In a state institution with an active Vietnam Veterans chapter and veterans dormitory, one of our brothers was denied adequate medical care until he received a terminal cancer diagnosis. He is now in the final stages of the disease and still being denied proper pain medication. That is unacceptable.

This case has been discussed by our VINJUS Committee, chaired by Dominic Yezzo, and by the Florida State Council Incarcerated Veterans Committee, chaired by Joe West, along with Florida State Council President Gary Newman and institution sponsor Col. Bob Adelhelm. If your state has incarcerated chapters, stay vigilant and press officials to ensure proper care for our brothers and sisters.

Finally, a shout-out to Puerto Rico. The Board passed a long-overdue motion from the Minority Affairs Committee supporting legislation to extend statehood to the territory.

BY GARY ESTERMEYER

At the time of this writing, I am getting ready to pack my bags for the National Board of Directors April meeting. At the last meeting in January, the Board approved the budget after making some amendments, and we voted to schedule the 2026 Leadership Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.

In the March/April issue of The VVA Veteran, you will find President Tom Burke’s article covering Mission 75 in more detail, including a Q&A at the end. You also saw the Leadership Conference registration form. Please note the preregistration deadline of July 15. Hotel registration for Jacksonville is also now available. I strongly encourage Region 5 members to attend this important conference. Maybe we can even pull off a Region 5 caucus while in Jacksonville.

I continue to stay in touch with all the Region 5 presidents — Richard Arthur, Fred Barks, Mike Dolan, and John Riling — while also traveling throughout the region. In February, I visited Toledo, Ohio, Chapter 35 and Monroe, Michigan, Chapter 142. I also attended the funeral of John Weiss in Rhode Island and was honored to attend a Michigan State Council awards ceremony recognizing Katrina Gramer, a VVA veteran service officer in Holly, Michigan. My thanks to Chapter 35 President Jim Nevel and Chapter 142 President Tom Rymers for inviting me to their meetings.

On March 10, I attended Chicago, Chapter 242’s general meeting, along with its Dunkin meeting just beforehand, where speakers addressed veterans benefits, VA health care, and Agent Orange research. I was also able to visit an old Detroit Chapter 9 friend, Dennis Speck, who is now a member of Chapter 693 in Elmhurst, Illinois.

On March 11, I attended the Macomb County, Michigan, Chapter 154 general meeting. On March 14, I attended and participated in the general meeting of Charles S. Kettles Chapter 310 in Ann Arbor, where we began planning a July virtual meeting for interested Michigan chapters to discuss the future of VVA statewide. On March 25, I attended the James Huard Chapter 267 meeting in Dearborn, Michigan, and on March 29 I attended the National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony co-hosted by Downriver Chapter 259 in Wyandotte, Michigan. Thanks to Chapter 242 President Kevin Calkins, Chapter 154 President Gary Purcell, Chapter 310 President Vance McCrumb, Chapter 267 President Phil Smith, and Chapter 259 President Mike Goodpaster for your hospitality.

I still have South Bend, Indiana, Chapter 1027 on my radar, along with Miami Valley Chapter 97 in Dayton, Ohio, where members will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Dayton. I also plan to attend other Region 5 chapter meetings and all four Region 5 State Council election meetings.

My travels continue to impress upon me the hard work being done across the region. I salute you all.

In closing, I encourage all chapters holding elections in April to promptly submit their election reports and annual finance reports to their State Councils and to National VVA before the July 15 deadline.

Show your pride. Wear your VVA or military hat. March in your local parades for those who cannot. Stand proud in Region 5.

BY CHUCK RENEVIER

I would like to remind all state councils and chapters to get their financial and election reports sent in as soon as possible so they meet all deadlines.

I attended the April Conference of State Council Presidents and Board of Directors meetings, where President Tom Burke presented more information on Mission 75. I ask everyone to keep in mind that this remains a proposal and a work in progress, and that any final proposal will have to be voted on at the 2027 National Convention. There are many moving parts, and I ask that you keep an open mind to whatever is put forth. As always, it will be up to the membership to decide which path VVA will follow in the future.

The Alaska State Council held a Spousal and Survivors Benefits seminar on March 6 in Anchorage. It was organized by Vicki Clay, Alaska State Council secretary, and Craig Wade, Alaska State Council president. Others in attendance were AVVA Region Director Jennifer Ellis, Spousal & Survivor Benefits Committee member Dorine Kirkes, and me. Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. Presenters included representatives from the Alaska State Office of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits outreach, and Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

In Washington state, the Yakima Warriors held a Welcome Home for Vietnam veterans on March 28. This year’s event included all veterans. “The reason we are doing this for all veterans is that you will be taking care of all of us,” Gil Calac told an audience of about 250 people. Washington State Council President Francisco Ivarra was among the speakers.

A Welcome Home Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony was held on March 30 at the Montana State Capitol in Helena. It included an honor walk followed by a wreath-laying at the Montana Veterans Memorial.

Chapter 788 in Bozeman, Montana, is in the final planning stages for its Aging Veterans Town Hall on May 16. Dr. Molly McGaughey will be one of the keynote presenters. Chuck Byers and Allan Perkal, co-chairs of the VVA Veterans Health Care Committee, also will be attending. The Montana VA will provide information tables and a speaker on the Caregivers Support Program. In addition, the Montana Department of Military Affairs and an elder law attorney will be presenting.

Welcome home, and thank you for your service.

BY DICK SOUTHERN

The Region 9 chapters and state councils have been working hard. I know of chapters holding fundraisers, ceremonies, lunches, and dinners; sponsoring Wall replicas; and attending meetings. The list of activities goes on and on.

Fundraising efforts have been successful and continue to generate income for the chapters. There is excitement in Region 9 about increasing membership. The latest news: We welcome a new chapter in New Mexico.

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

Stay safe, stay well, and check on your buddies. 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 FRED GASIOR

At the National Convention in 2025, the delegates expressed a desire to continue the mission of Vietnam Veterans of America and as a leading Veterans Service Organization.

This path forward poses some challenges due to aging and health issues, and it has become more difficult to recruit members for leadership roles at both the national and local levels. However, membership currently stands just below 94,000 and continues to grow, with a substantial untapped pool of Vietnam War veterans eligible for membership, all of whom could fill roles and contribute to VVA.

Despite some challenges, thanks to ongoing active recruiting efforts by enthusiastic VVA members, the organization’s viability is projected to last for an additional six-to-eight years, without major changes if we maintain this trajectory.

I believe that we can do even better by becoming proactive. We could start a national membership campaign, for example, and use direct mail and social media to contact potential members. A concerted effort could produce real results. We could also follow along with VVA President Tom Burke’s suggestion to expand eligibility to younger veterans. This would require a change to the membership criteria in the VVA Constitution, but by facing this discomfort and embracing innovative approaches, we can adapt to evolving circumstances. Historically, Vietnam War veterans have demonstrated resilience and adaptability, overcoming significant obstacles. And we can continue to overcome and allow our ongoing legacy to serve future generations.

This is just one of many potential ideas, however, and I encourage members to communicate with their chapter and state council presidents and national Board members, sharing their perspectives on actions that they feel will strengthen VVA’s role as an effective veterans organization.

AT-LARGE

BY CHARLES STEPLETON

Greetings to all, and welcome home.

This year we mark what is probably the most significant milestone in our nation’s history: the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia and adopted that declaration, opening the door to freedom and the chance to establish a new and united country.

All across this great land, celebrations and ceremonies will be held unlike any we have seen in many years. It is important for us to pass on to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren the meaning and significance of this milestone. It is a reminder of how this country began and why that history still matters today.

On March 28, I was invited to take part in a luncheon for Vietnam veterans at Camp Valor Outdoors in Kingsville, Missouri. The camp offers veterans a chance to hunt, fish, and take part in activities they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy.

Because the coordinator knew I was involved in Vietnam Veterans of America, he asked me to speak to the group about VVA. He told me beforehand that most of them did not know VVA existed. I took applications, copies of The VVA Veteran, and commemorative pins with me. At the end of the day, I pinned 18 veterans and left with four membership applications.

Once in a while, when I am out with my chapter or even just wearing my chapter jacket, veterans ask about VVA. So many veterans have never heard of us, and every bit of exposure gives us a wonderful opportunity to tell them who we are and what we do for veterans and their families.

May God bless all of you, and God bless the United States of America.

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