BY JUSTIN LATINI

The Leadership Conference in Jacksonville provided an opportunity to discuss our future as an organization, but it also left me with more questions than answers. Although Mission 75 was discussed fully with members, other options remain for delegates to consider at next year’s Convention.

I hope that we will be able to gain clarity on these plans before voting. Due to a scheduling conflict, the Region 1 conference scheduled for September 12 at the Elks Hall in Auburn, Massachusetts, has been canceled. I will reschedule it at a later date.

Another issue discussed at the Conference was the possibility of moving our National Office. Reasons for a potential move include the condition of the building, high rental costs, salaries and other operating expenses, and anticipated donation revenue. It is our responsibility as Board members to ensure that the corporation remains financially sound, whether that means staying in our current office or moving to a new location.

In any case, we need to address many of these concerns, including whether to open VVA membership, merge or consolidate with AVVA, or voluntarily close sometime in the future. The delegates to our 2027 Convention will be asked to help determine VVA’s legacy.

BY TED WILKINSON

New York State Council elections were held June 27 in Nichols, N.Y. The results were as follows: Ned Foote was elected President; Grant Coates, Vice President; Nick Valenti, Secretary; and Nick DeLeo, Treasurer. John Rowan, Sam Hall, and Bill Paton were elected Directors.

Region 2 had an excellent turnout for the 2026 National Leadership & Education Conference in Jacksonville. I heard many positive comments about the conference and extend my gratitude to everyone involved in organizing the event.

2026 The Wall That Heals Tour Stops in Region 2

September 3-6: Campbelltown, Pa.

September 24-27: Oneonta, N.Y.

October 8-11: Aston, Pa.

BY MARC GOODELL

I want to pass along my compliments to the VVA staff who did such a stellar job organizing and executing this year’s Leadership Conference. Everything was handled effectively and seamlessly. Thank you.

The breakout sessions and workshops proved invaluable, as they always do. We had a substantial showing of new officers and leaders at this year’s event, which proves that there are still many members willing to put in the time and effort to keep us on solid footing. That growing group of leaders also gives members more people to turn to with questions about running the organization and the proposals for VVA’s future.

We have several options to consider, from President Tom Burke’s Mission 75 proposal, which would open membership to qualifying veterans who served after 1975, to recommendations involving possible consolidation with AVVA, as well as closure, either voluntarily or involuntarily. There is a lot to chew on.

VVA members will make the final decision through their delegates at the 2027 National Convention. Chapter and state council leaders have an obligation to pass this information on to you, so please don’t hesitate to ask questions and stay informed. The Board of Directors will meet in October to further refine the options and develop clearer explanations for the membership.

Over the past 50 years, we have built an organization that swings a big hammer on Capitol Hill. The legislative torch was lit by Rick Weidman and has been passed on to James McCormick and his staff. Congress knows us, respects us, and, most importantly, listens to us.

To me, it would be a waste to let our organization die on the vine. We have accomplished an extraordinary amount for veterans over the past 50 years.

While VVA’s future was our first priority, the Board also spent a good amount of time discussing the potential relocation of our National Office. In a nutshell, our lease on the existing building in Silver Spring, Maryland, runs out in November 2028. It is much too large and expensive for our current business model. An exploratory committee was formed to search for other locations that would suit our needs at a more reasonable cost. Several options have been presented, but any decision must take our current lease into account. Regardless of what is decided about VVA’s future, we will need to address the headquarters issue because even an orderly closure would extend beyond the end of the current lease. The Board will discuss the matter further in October. More to come.

Lastly, I want to thank the Florida State Council and Chapter 1046 in Jacksonville, Chapter 1059 in Orange Park, Chapter 1084 in St. Augustine, and Chapter 1088 in Yulee, which provided a stellar Color Guard at the Opening Ceremonies.

I also wish to thank FSC Past President Gary Newman, who got the ball rolling in January, and AVVA Region 4 Director Mary Anne Newman for lining up the merchandise for the State Council booth at the Veterans Mall during the Conference.

BY GARY ESTERMYER

In the words of Willie Nelson, I was “On the Road Again” in Region 5. After traveling to Indianapolis in May for the Indiana State Council elections, I came home for the Michigan State Council elections in Howell, Mich., in June.

On the weekend of June 13, I drove to Rock Island with John Riling for the Illinois State Council elections. Finally, on Father’s Day weekend, Riling and I went to Columbus, Ohio, for the Buckeye State Council elections. All of the region’s State Council presidents retained their positions except in Ohio, where Gene Wilt was elected the new Buckeye State Council president.

I appreciate the hospitality shown to me during my visits. I congratulate all the newly elected officers and look forward to working with you and visiting more of your chapters in the future.

Michigan State Council President John Riling reported that Michigan was fortunate to host three visits by traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial replicas this summer. He and I were able to attend two of the events. I was honored to speak at the closing ceremony for the Genesee County Chapter 175 Moving Wall event.

Indiana State Council President Mike Dolan reports that the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization will hold its 44th Annual Vietnam Veterans and All Veterans Reunion near Kokomo, from September 13–20. Veterans service officers will be available during the event, and members also will participate in POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies. The Indiana State Council continues to hold its Spouses & Survivors seminars throughout the year.

Region 5 was well represented at the National Leadership & Education Conference in Jacksonville, with more than 70 members attending from all five states. Following the Opening Ceremonies and again on the closing day, President Tom Burke presented Mission 75, a proposal that would broaden eligibility for VVA membership to qualifying veterans who served after the Vietnam War.

We then heard a presentation outlining five other possible paths for VVA’s future, including options involving merger or consolidation with AVVA, changes to the organization’s structure, and voluntary or involuntary dissolution. Presenters discussed the pros and cons of each, and many attendees expressed their views and posed questions.

There were an additional 14 seminars over the next three days, and I was able to attend seven. I also attended a special Board of Directors meeting on August 13, where we discussed Government Affairs business, communications between National and the State Councils, and the possibility of relocating National Office operations from Silver Spring, Maryland.

My thanks to the VVA National Leadership & Education Conference Planning Committee for organizing an excellent conference. I’m looking forward to attending the upcoming Board of Directors and Conference of State Council Presidents meetings in Arlington, Virginia, in October.

There are now preliminary plans to hold a Region 5 pre-Convention meeting next June, hosted by the Buckeye State Council in Columbus, Ohio. Details will follow when available.

BY CHUCK RENEVIER

I just returned from the Leadership Conference in Jacksonville. I want to commend the Conference Planning Committee, the National staff, and especially Director of Meetings Wes Guidry for their excellent work organizing the event.

Thanks to all the members of Region 8 who were in attendance. Many topics were presented, providing valuable information.

The No. 1 topic was Mission 75, one of the major proposals for VVA’s future. I had hoped to leave Jacksonville with a better understanding of Mission 75, but I came away with more questions than answers. Let me be clear: I am not opposed to Mission 75, but there are parts of the proposal I would like to see more fully explained and addressed.

Since I was unable to attend the Mission 75 wrap-up session Saturday morning, I am still not sure how best to present the proposal to the members of Region 8. I will continue seeking the answers I need so that I can present Mission 75 clearly, accurately, and concisely, regardless of my own feelings for or against it. I hope to have those answers after I attend the October Board of Directors meeting.

After that meeting, I plan to attend the state council meetings in Montana, Oregon, and Alaska, while Francisco Ivarra will represent me in Washington.

Chapter 938 in Hamilton, Montana, has been extremely busy all summer, taking part in many community events, including the dedication of a granite bench at its Veterans Memorial. Al Sperry, Montana State Council Secretary-Treasurer, was honored with a 2025 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation.

Chapter 788 of Southwest Montana held its 10th annual Veterans Outreach golf tournament on August 7 in Bozeman. This year’s tournament was held in memory of one of our longtime members, Skip Lee.

I thank all of you for your dedicated work in your communities on behalf of all veterans. Feel free to reach out to me at any time with your questions or concerns.

BY DICK SOUTHERN

The 2026 VVA National Leadership & Education Conference took place August 11-15 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The conference covered the basics of VVA as well as the organization’s future and was a well-attended, educational event.

With a membership of more than 11,300, it is challenging to stay in touch with state councils, chapters, and members throughout Region 9, but I make every effort to do so. October promises to be a busy month, with state council meetings throughout the region. Many of their leaders will be attending the National Board of Directors meeting in Arlington, Va.

The chapters and state councils in Region 9 have been very busy. Almost daily, I learn about chapters holding fundraisers, ceremonies, and lunches; sponsoring replicas of The Wall; and attending meetings. There continues to be a great deal of activity and enthusiasm throughout the region.

I will continue to advocate for Region 9 veterans and their families by attending state council and chapter meetings and participating in National Board of Directors meetings and other national events. One of my goals for 2026 is for each state council to increase its number of chapters. Active member recruitment will be an important part of achieving that goal.

I pray that you all stay safe, stay well, and check on your friends. I encourage you to keep attending meetings and continue 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

The 2026 VVA National Leadership & Education Conference is now in the history books. VVA staff and the Conference Planning Committee should be commended for an exceptionally well-organized conference.

Many VVA members came to the conference looking for answers about VVA’s future: What will that future look like? Which direction will the organization take, and how will we get there?

Several options were presented for consideration, but I do not believe we left with firm answers to all of our questions. Mission 75 was discussed in considerable detail, with President Tom Burke outlining his vision and VVA and AVVA members raising questions about the proposal. I left the conference believing that Mission 75 is feasible and achievable if the details surrounding membership eligibility and the necessary amendments to the VVA Constitution can be worked out.

During the conference, the Board of Directors held a special meeting. One of the major topics we discussed was the potential relocation of the National Office from Silver Spring, Md. We were told that a move is being considered for financial and practical reasons, including the cost and underutilization of the current space, as well as concerns about the workplace environment.

We also heard presentations on three potential locations for the National Office, along with cost analyses for each. All appeared to have merit and possibilities.

Before any move could be implemented, however, the Board would have to address its obligations under the current lease. Because of the significant financial obligations under the current lease, the Board approved a motion directing VVA General Counsel Dominick Yezzo to review the available options before the October Board meeting, including possible lease termination or renegotiation.

In closing, the conference offered many educational opportunities and meaningful options for VVA’s future, but, in my view, no clear answers.

AT-LARGE

BY CHARLIE STAPLETON

August’s VVA National Leadership & Education Conference is in the books, and what a conference it was. Brothers and sisters from all over attended, with one focus in mind: hearing about our future. All around me, I saw enthusiastic people who wanted to know what was in store for them as we move forward as an organization.

After the Opening Ceremony, VVA President Tom Burke discussed Mission 75, one proposal for VVA’s future that would require approval by delegates at the 2027 National Convention. While I appreciated his presentation, I feel there are still questions that need answers. I believe it is also time to hear from post-1975 veterans and learn what they are looking for in a veterans organization.

One thing seemed evident from the people I spoke with in Jacksonville: They don’t want VVA to go away. There is still a lot of fire in our organization and a lot of work to be done. Aside from Mission 75, possible consolidation with AVVA and other options for VVA’s future also were discussed. It will be up to the Convention delegates next year to decide the path we take.

The seminars at the conference offered a wealth of information, including advice on serving effectively as a Chapter or State Council president, parliamentary procedure, veterans healthcare, and other important topics. I have yet to attend one of these conferences without coming away with new knowledge and useful information. My hat is off to all the presenters.

Everywhere I went, whether having breakfast with a wonderful group from Oregon or simply sitting around talking with other attendees, I came away with the same impression: VVA is still hungry, still moving forward, and still a proud and powerful organization.

Next month, we will mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed. That terrible day brought our country together in a remarkable way, and it reminds me of VVA’s founding principle: “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” As we remember those we lost on September 11, let us also remember the generations of veterans who answered our nation’s call in the years that followed.

I wish I could stand with all of you on that solemn day, but know that my heart and thoughts will be with you. May God bless all of you, and God bless the United States of America.

Welcome home.

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