Never again will one generation of Veterans abandon another.
Information from VVA and the WSC
The Latest Veteran News!
National and State Veteran News, the latest from VVA, VVA Regions, VVA Committees, and active VVA Chapters serving Vietnam Era Veterans via print, electronically, and virtually.
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Region 6 Conference
The Region 6 Conference was proudly led by knowledgeable National and Regional speakers who shared insights on the proposed Future Plans for Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). Attendees arrived well-prepared bringing thoughtful questions regarding both the National direction of VVA and their local VVA Chapters.
Although the speakers couldn’t forecast the outcomes of the upcoming Convention in August, they reassured the group that Conferences like this one are essential for equipping delegates to make informed votes on the Future Plan, resolutions, and proposed constitutional amendments.
Wisconsin members attending the Region 6 Conference, who will be unable to participate in the 2025 VVA National Convention, returned home with a wealth of knowledge that they can share with their fellow VVA and AVVA Chapter members.
VVA Communications
VVA Holds Elections at
National Convention:
Tom Burke to Serve as President
(New Orleans, Louisiana) – Tom Burke of New Philadelphia, Ohio, was elected to serve his first term as Vietnam Veterans of America National President at VVA’s 22nd biennial National Convention held this week in New Orleans, Louisiana. Burke previously served three terms as VVA National Vice President and multiple tours on the VVA National Board of Directors. He volunteered for military service in the U.S. Navy in 1963, serving aboard the U.S.S. Hancock in his final year.
“To my mind, VVA over the past now approaching fifty years, has become the best VSO in the land. I have been able to represent our VVA members within the highest government offices in the country. I can guarantee you that our officials in Washington know who we are, and they ask for our opinions on many items. They respect us, because we respect them. Whatever we face, whatever road we choose, whatever comes our way, our organization has risen to the occasion,” Burke said.
John Riling III of Michigan, VVA member since 1986, was elected to serve his first term as VVA National Vice President, following years of serving in local, state, and national roles, including as Region 5 Director and many years as President of the Michigan State Council. Riling served his tour in Vietnam with the 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment (Blackhawks) from 1970-1971.
Bill Meeks, Jr., of The Woodlands, Texas, was reelected to his eighth two-year term as VVA National Secretary. Meeks served with the U.S. Marine Corps for almost three years. During his 1968 tour of duty in Vietnam, he served as a squad/platoon radioman and received three Purple Heart medals for battlefield injuries.
Dottie Barickman, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was elected to serve her first term as VVA National Treasurer, following years of local, state, and national service. A VVA member since 1987, she has participated in VVA’s National Finance, Constitution, Women Veterans, and PTSD committees, as well as serving on the board as a Director at Large. Barickman served in the U.S. Air Force from 1970–1974. Stationed at the Lackland, Barksdale, and Offutt bases, she specialized in data automation and computer programming.
In addition, 19 National Board of Directors were elected: Ten At-Large and nine Regional. The At-Large directors are Liz Cannon (NC); Gumersindo Gomez (MA); Charlie Hobbs (TN); Ken Holybee (CA); Dennis Howland (UT); Frederick Gasior (NY); Charlie Stapleton (MO); Dan Stenvold (ND); Steve Williams (VA); and Sandie Wilson (MI). The nine regional directors elected to serve a 2025-2027 term are: Region 1, Justin Latini (MA); Region 2, Ted Wilkinson (NY); Region 3, Charlie Montgomery (VA); Region 4, Marc Goodell (FL); Region 5, Gary Estermyer (MI); Region 6, John Margowski (WI); Region 7, Terry Courville (LA); Region 8, Chuck Renevier (MT); and Region 9, Dick Southern (CA).
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's founding principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”
Vietnam Veterans of America to Hold 22nd Biennial National Convention in New Orleans
(Washington, D.C.) – Vietnam Veterans of America will hold its 22nd biennial National Convention in New Orleans from August 5-9 at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street. “We’re excited to be returning to New Orleans for what promises to be an historic Convention,” said VVA National President Jack McManus. “More than 700 delegates from VVA chapters across the nation are expected to join hundreds of other Vietnam War veterans and guests in New Orleans, along with members of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, which will be holding its National Convention in conjunction with the VVA event.”
The delegates will set the organization’s course for the next two years, hear from an array of speakers, attend informational sessions, and take part in special events, including the Saturday night Awards Banquet on August 9.
The Keynote Speech at the August 6 Opening Ceremonies will be delivered by VVA life member William Broyles, Jr., a Marine Vietnam War veteran and acclaimed journalist, author, magazine editor, and screenwriter. In 1984, he became one of first American war veterans to return to Vietnam, a trip that resulted in his pioneering 1986 book, Brothers in Arms: A Journey from War to Peace.
VVA Excellence in the Arts awards will be presented at the Saturday Awards Banquet to three Vietnam veterans who have excelled both in the arts and as longtime veterans’ advocates. Doug Bradley, an author and professor, whose books include We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War (named Best Music Book of 2015 by Rolling Stone); acclaimed television, film, and stage actor Dan Lauria, who played Jack Arnold in the Emmy Award-winning TV series, The Wonder Years; and Tobias Wolff, among the most honored and accomplished Vietnam War veteran writers, whose books include the award-winning memoir This Boy’s Life, which later was a Hollywood movie starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Joe Namath, famed Super Bowl-winning NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, will receive the President’s Award for Supporting the Troops in Vietnam. The award was presented to him in March, and his moving acceptance speech will be shown at the Awards Banquet.
For more information, including the Convention agenda, go to https://conference.vva.org/
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's founding principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”
About Us
Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans Built the State Council in 1986
Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans Built the State Council in 1986
Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans Built the State Council in 1986
Following the Congressional Charter of Vietnam Veterans of America, Wisconsin submitted its Charter following months of organization, debate, and input of Wisconsin VVA members. Like veterans in many other states, Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans had difficulties joining other Veteran Service Organizations (e.g., VFW, DAV, Purple Heart, etc.
Following the Congressional Charter of Vietnam Veterans of America, Wisconsin submitted its Charter following months of organization, debate, and input of Wisconsin VVA members. Like veterans in many other states, Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans had difficulties joining other Veteran Service Organizations (e.g., VFW, DAV, Purple Heart, etc.).
Thus, like other states, Wisconsin saw the development and growth of independent Vietnam Veteran organizations some requiring credentials as strong and stronger than those VSOs they were not allowed to join. Bottom line became years of service, years in country, in theatre, to service in the Era.
Built one Vietnam Era Veteran at a time
Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans Built the State Council in 1986
Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans Built the State Council in 1986
The Wisconsin State Council, like its parent organization VVA, has built one VVA Chapter at a time. Each VVA Chapter is built by one Veteran of the Vietnam era (i.e., in Vietnam between November 1, 1955, and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975.) at a time. Let us not forget the Veteran's family,
The Wisconsin State Council, like its parent organization VVA, has built one VVA Chapter at a time. Each VVA Chapter is built by one Veteran of the Vietnam era (i.e., in Vietnam between November 1, 1955, and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975.) at a time. Let us not forget the Veteran's family, spouse or surviving spouse, children to adult children, grandchildren, and future progeny.
Wisconsin's veterans fought, like other state's to build the organization from the ground up. Our parent organization VVA, has been built one VVA Chapter at a time. Each VVA Chapter is built one Veteran of the Vietnam era (i.e., means an eligible veteran any part of whose active military, naval, or air service was during the Vietnam Era OPM §307.101 - August 5, 1964 and ending May 7, 1975) at a time. Let us not forget the Veteran's family, spouse or surviving spouse, children and adult children, grandchildren, and future progeny.
The Future of the Wisconsin State Council
Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans Built the State Council in 1986
The Future of the Wisconsin State Council
Wisconsin has more than 128,969 Vietnam War Era veterans. Of Wisconsin's 128,969 Vietnam Era Veterans, roughly 2,600 are Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) members. About two percent of the Vietnam Era Veterans, 2,250 are active in one of the 26 VVA Wisconsin State Council (WSC) Chapters.
The WSC will be reaching out to every Vietnam E
Wisconsin has more than 128,969 Vietnam War Era veterans. Of Wisconsin's 128,969 Vietnam Era Veterans, roughly 2,600 are Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) members. About two percent of the Vietnam Era Veterans, 2,250 are active in one of the 26 VVA Wisconsin State Council (WSC) Chapters.
The WSC will be reaching out to every Vietnam Era Veteran and to expand our body of change agents for generations to come.
As VVA has said, "Never again will one generation of Americans abandon
another."
If you are a Vietnam Era Veteran or want to further the legacy of Vietnam Era Veterans in Wisconsin, please click the button below.
War Memorial Center Veteran Story Project
War Memorial Center
Unveiled on Veterans Day 1959, the 1,440,000-piece mosaic features Roman numerals representing the commencement and end dates for World War II and the Korean Conflict:
MCMXLI (1941); MCMXLV (1945)
MCML (1950) and MCMLIII (1953)
Click HERE to goto the War Memorial Center.
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War divided America, but, when called to serve, Wisconsin Veterans joined thousands of their countrymen to fight in the jungles of Southeast Asia. They paid an incredible price, which continues to toll decades later.
Click HERE to goto the War Memorial Center.
World War II
From the fields of Europe to the islands of the South Pacific, “The Greatest Generation” helped to liberate millions from tyranny, and fundamentally changed the course of world history. The reflections of these Wisconsin Veterans are a humble reminder that the price of freedom was a cost they were willing to pay for all of us.
Click HERE to goto the War Memorial Center.
Korean War
North and South Korea remain culturally and politically divided by the 38th parallel. The line dividing stands as a lasting testament to the sacrifices of American and United Nations forces in protecting the south from communist aggression. Wisconsin Veterans were among them.
Click HERE to goto the War Memorial Center.