I served with the 2nd Battalion, 94th Artillery, at Camp J.J. Carroll in 1968. In the “Year in Review” article in the last issue, the entry for April 6 says: “The 76-day siege of Khe Sanh is officially declared lifted as Army troops push toward enemy positions south of the base.”

That is incorrect. At the time, 90 days was considered the siege period. A colonel from my unit made the comment that they were trying to make it look like the siege was not as drastic as it really was. He said that if you wanted to get technical, the siege lasted more than 100 days.

Darwin Sepp
Via email

Editor's Note: Mr. Sepp is correct that our April 6 entry was imprecise. That day was an important one in Operation Pegasus, the operation to relieve Khe Sanh, but the combat base is generally considered to have been relieved on April 8, when elements of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry reached the base. Operation Pegasus officially ended on April 15. The commonly cited length of the siege is 77 days, beginning with the big NVA assault and bombardment on January 21, though some accounts use broader date ranges for the larger Khe Sanh campaign.

In the May/June issue, reading the article, Still in Our Hearts, brought fond memories not just of my time in Vietnam but also the book, From Stewardess to Vietnam Donut Dolly by Judy LaSalle—a Donut Dolly herself. I recommend that all Vietnam veterans read this wonderful book and I am happy to see that these brave, caring, and beautiful ladies have been recognized and accepted in affiliated roles with VVA.

Bob Wartman
Union, Kentucky

VVA needs to expand to include veterans of the Gulf Wars - whether that means changing our name or redefining our goals and policies. VVA was created because no other organization understood the differences between World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the Cold War. Veterans from the Gulf Wars identify far more and have more in common with Vietnam War veterans than with World War II vets.

Please do not get lost thinking that we have reached the end. The world changed with the Vietnam War, and the American Legion and VFW are tied to the past. VVA is not.

Robert Vargo
Via email

In the May/June issue several members brought up their grudges against the VFW. Guys, 50-plus years is a long time to keep that chip on your shoulder. I also was rejected by the VFW, but those fellows are long gone. My first VFW post was run by ‘Nam vets and my present post is run by younger veterans. By not joining the VFW, you are abandoning those who came after us. We can belong to both and contribute to both.

Dale Kerns
Staunton, Virginia

I am against a merger with the VFW. I had been encouraged to join and invited to a meeting. The members made it clear that I was not welcome to join; Vietnam vets were not wanted.

VVA was formed for that reason and only for Vietnam War veterans. We should stay with the “last man standing” principle, and with the old saying, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”

Frank Gattuso
Via email

I have been a VVA life member for decades, having joined soon after the organization received its congressional charter. At the time, many veterans organizations wanted little to do with Vietnam veterans. Over the years, I have held chapter- and state-level offices and served as a service officer and color guard member.

I believe that VVA must protect its reputation as an independent and nonpartisan veterans organization. That is why I was surprised to learn that Sen. John Fetterman had been selected as a VVA Legislator of the Year.

My concern is not his party affiliation. Legislators should be judged by what they accomplish for veterans. My concern is the record on which this honor was based. What veterans legislation did Sen. Fetterman introduce, advance, or help enact? What measurable results did his work produce? What distinguished his record from that of other members of Congress?

Sen. Fetterman may have a record that justifies the award. If so, VVA should present that record clearly. Doing so would strengthen the award, reassure the membership, and demonstrate that the honor reflects meaningful service to veterans rather than political access or general expressions of support.

Robert Foley
Via email

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