BY JUSTIN LATINI

I was honored this month to swear in James Gagnon as the new president of Chapter and Linda Schwartz as the new Connecticut State Council president. Chapters reported that they continue to hold Memorial Day events, including parades, ceremonies, and motorcycle rallies to honor our fallen.

I have scheduled a Region 1 Conference for September 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 754 Southbridge St., Auburn, Massachusetts. This will give Region 1 delegates and members who are unable to attend the Leadership Conference in Jacksonville an opportunity to ask questions concerning VVA’s future plans heading into the 2027 National Convention in Washington, D.C.

I was sent by my Region 1 delegates to advocate on their behalf, including during discussions about VVA’s future, regardless of my personal opinions. I can advise them about issues as they arise, but ultimately it is the will of the delegates that I must follow.

At the national level, chapters and state councils have been given clear instructions about when and how to dissolve. Yet when they call for a “Last Man Standing” approach, some Board members appear to push back. Some delegates have told me they believe they already voted in favor of Last Man Standing and do not understand why they are being asked to consider another plan.

I have explained, as best I can, that no formal Last Man Standing plan was put before the delegates at the convention. I intend to draft a plan that I hope will resolve and satisfy the Region 1 delegates as we move toward the 2027 Convention.

Delegates are encouraged to attend the Region 1 Conference and to contact me directly about this and any other issues facing VVA. Thank you.

BY TED WILKINSON

Region 2 wishes Dee Garcia all the best in her retirement. After more than 20 years as a Veterans Service Officer for New York State Council, she has certainly earned it. We thank her for her help securing benefits for thousands of veterans.

Delaware State Council elections were held on May 6 in Dover. Paul Davis was elected President; Terry Baker was elected as Vice President; Rodger Rose as Secretary; and Malon Fegley as Treasurer. For more information, contact Rodger Rose at (303) 618-2990 (cell) or email rodger.n.rose@gmail.com.

Pennsylvania State Council Elections were held on May 30 in State College. Larry Googins was elected President; Richard Hudzinski as First Vice President; Tim Susengill Second Vice President; William J. Champion as Secretary; and George Brown as Treasurer. For more information, contact William J. Champion at (215) 639-0185 or email bill.champion1@comcast.net.

New Jersey State Council elections were held on June 28 in Hazlet. Election results will be published in the next issue of The VVA Veteran. For more information, contact Carlton Rhodes at (908) 803-1671.

New York State Council elections were held on June 27 in Nichols. Election results will be published in the next issue of The VVA Veteran. For more information, contact Ned Foote at (518) 338-8147.

Congratulations to all who were elected, and thanks to all who ran. The Wall That Heals will be on tour in the Region in September and October. The tour dates and locations are:

September 3-6, Campbelltown, Pa.

September 24-27, Oneonta, N.Y.

October 8-11, Aston, Pa.

BY GARY ESTERMEYER

During the April BOD meeting, we were shown a report called “It Can Be Done,” which examined possible options for the future relationship between VVA and AVVA , including consolidation. The report was created by five VVA and five AVVA members and provided six options for a potential merger. An in-depth discussion of the report will take place during the Leadership & Education Conference in Jacksonville in August, along with discussions of Mission 75, a plan for VVA’s future that President Tom Burke is proposing.

The BOD also approved a motion to give Tom Burke the authority to negotiate bids for leases to relocate the National office. Pittsburgh appears to be very veteran-friendly may offer significant cost savings. The BOD will continue oversight on a potential move.

At the BOD meeting, I chaired two Veterans Benefit Committee meetings and attended the Public Affairs, Constitution, and Government Affairs committee meetings.

My Region 5 travels in April took me to several Michigan chapter meetings, including Plymouth-Canton Chapter 528, Marysville Chapter 1083, Jackson Chapter 109, Downriver Chapter 259, and Detroit Chapter 9. In May, I drove to Indianapolis to attend the Indiana State Council meeting and then headed to Dayton for a POW/MIA candlelight ceremony, which was solemn and reflective. Ira Skeebey and Joe Dorgan did an excellent job assisting those gathered as dog tags honoring Ohio’s 75 POW/MIAs were placed on a large cross, with each name read aloud and a bell rung in remembrance.

On Memorial Day, I was honored to speak at the Miami Valley, Ohio, Chapter 97, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park 40th anniversary ceremony. Sunny skies greeted us as the program ran flawlessly. Chapter 97 President Mark Vanderveen and members Mark Kucharski and Scott Kuhnen helped make this event a success, along with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park Board and the University of Dayton’s Army ROTC unit.

In June, I plan to attend Region 5 State Council election meetings in Howell, Mich., Rock Island, Ill., and Columbus, Ohio.

I hope to see many Region 5 members in Jacksonville at the National Leadership & Education Conference, where I’m sure lively discussions will take place. Make your voice heard at this very important conference. Save yourself $50 and pre-register online before July 15.

Conference details can be found in this issue of The VVA Veteran and at vva.org/events/2026-vva-national-leadership-conference/"

BY JOHN MARGOWSKI

The National Leadership & Education Conference is coming up on August 11 in Jacksonville, Florida. On my doctor’s recommendation, I will not be attending, but I encourage everyone in Region 6 to come to Jacksonville, if possible.

The most important day of the Conference will be Wednesday, August 12, when the Mission 75 plan for VVA will be presented for discussion at 11:00 a.m. by VVA President Tom Burke, and “Six Alternatives for VVA’s Future” will be presented by VVA Constitution Committee Chair Leslie Delong, AVVA President Sharon Hobbs, and Region 3 Director Charlie Montgomery at 3:45 p.m.

Another critical day will be Saturday, August 15, as a question-and-answer period about those proposals will take place at 9:00 a.m.

Remember: There is no voting at the Leadership Conference, and no motions may be made.

The other seminars during the Conference also will provide valuable information to those in attendance. If livestreaming is available, details will be posted on VVA’s website and social media channels.

BY CHUCK RENEVIER

Since the April BOD meeting, I have traveled to state council meetings in Montana, Idaho, and Alaska. At every stop, I was asked about the future of VVA. I gave the same answer at each meeting and in conversations with individual members. President Tom Burke has proposed Mission 75—proposed, not adopted—as a possible path forward for VVA. I explained that until he presents the complete details of his proposed plan at the Leadership Conference in August, I did not feel I had enough details to give my opinion on the plan or any potential alternatives.

The overwhelming feedback I have received indicates that many Region 8 members are not sure they can support Mission 75. They have reminded me that they are proud Vietnam War veterans, and many want the organization to remain rooted in that identity. I reminded them that Mission 75 is still a proposal and that we need to hear the details President Burke will present at the Leadership Conference. Hearing them will allow us to be fully informed and ready for the 2027 National Convention, when the delegates will decide VVA’s future.

I cannot stress this enough: Mission 75 is a proposal. It would need to be approved by the delegates at the 2027 National Convention.

I have also had the opportunity to listen to post-1975 veterans, mainly Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans, say that, despite appreciating what VVA has done, they do not have any desire to be part of our organization, whatever our name may be. But those sentiments may not be reflective of all post-1975 veterans.

Chapter 787 in Bozeman, Montana, held a town hall meeting, “The Aging Veteran,” on May 16. More than a hundred people attended; about three-fourths of them were veterans. It also was live-streamed on YouTube. We appreciate the support of the Montana Veterans Affairs Division (MVAD) in putting the event together.

Our featured speaker was Dr. Molly McGaughey. We also had representatives from MVAD, the Montana Department of Military Affairs, and a local elder law attorney, Danielle Shayne. A special thanks to Allan Perkal and Chuck Byers, VVA Healthcare co-chairs, and a huge thanks to Tom Burke for taking time out of his busy schedule to come to Montana. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event such a success.

In closing, I want to express my appreciation to the members of Region 8 for allowing me to represent you. Your support means a lot to me, and I will always represent you with pride. Be safe out there and, if possible, I encourage you all to attend the Leadership Conference in August.

Stay true, brothers and sisters.

BY DICK SOUTHERN

The chapters and state councils in Region 9 have been very busy. Almost daily, I read about chapters holding fundraisers, ceremonies, and other gatherings; sponsoring Wall replica visits; and attending meetings. There is real excitement in Region 9.

The 2026 National Leadership & Education Conference will take place in Jacksonville, Florida, August 11-15. The conference gives members the opportunity to discuss and learn more about the basics of VVA and take part in important discussions about VVA’s future. It is a must-attend for members who have joined in the last couple of years. I am looking forward to a good turnout from Region 9.

Please ensure that your state councils’ and chapters’ Finance and Election reports are submitted by July 15. Your state council or chapter could be suspended if the reports are not submitted on time.

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

I pray that you all stay safe, stay well, and check on your friends. Keep attending meetings and continuing your efforts to recruit new members.

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

Summer has begun, and August will soon be here. VVA will hold the National Leadership & Education Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, August 11-15. There is much to do and see in Jacksonville, and although I was not in favor of holding the Conference this year, I plan to attend and take part in nonpartisan, productive discussions about the future of VVA.

I will be discussing views and solutions that have been expressed to me by rank-and-file VVA members. That’s because, ultimately, the million-dollar question is: What does the membership want?

Should the organization remain as it is for years to come? Should we merge with AVVA or another organization? Should we close the National office and start a new organization? Should we change membership requirements, as Mission 75 proposes, to enhance growth and longevity by permitting more veterans to join VVA? Or should we simply dissolve the National office and let state councils and chapters choose their own path forward?

All of these options seem to be on the table and need discussion and feedback from all members, not just a few. If you cannot attend the August conference, please speak with your VVA representatives at any level and express your feelings about the direction you believe VVA should take.

Say something, and something can happen. Say nothing, and nothing will happen. I look forward to hearing from many of you.

2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |