Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
This Gallery contains information about the purpose of the VVA,
Chapter programs sent to us by viewers, a link to finding your
State's Council and Chapter Locations, and other activities.
Revised on 12/01/2009 by DGSH
The Purpose of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
The purpose of the Corporation, its State Councils, and its
Chapters is:
- A. To help foster, encourage, and promote the improvement of
the condition of the Vietnam veteran.
- B. To promote physical and cultural improvement, growth, and
development, self-respect, self-confidence, and usefulness of
Vietnam-era veterans and others.
- C. To eliminate discrimination suffered by Vietnam veterans and
to develop channels of communication which will assist Vietnam
veterans to maximize self-realization and enrichment of their lives
and enhance life-fulfillment.
- D. To study, on a non-partisan basis, proposed legislation,
rules, or regulations introduced in any Federal, State, or local
legislative or administrative body which may affect the social,
economic, educational, or physical welfare of the Vietnam-era
veteran or others; and to develop public policy proposals designed
to improve the quality of life of the Vietnam-era veteran and
others especially in the areas of employment, education, training,
and health.
- E. To conduct and publish research, on a non-partisan basis,
pertaining to the relationship between Vietnam-era veterans and the
American society, the Vietnam War experience, the role of the
United States in securing peaceful co-existence for the world
community, and other matters which affect the social, economic,
educational, or physical welfare of the Vietnam-era veteran or
others.
- F. To assist disabled and needy war veterans including, but not
limited to, Vietnam veterans and their dependents, and the widows
and orphans of deceased veterans.
National Office:
- Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
- 8605 Cameron Street, 4th Floor
- Silver Spring, MD 20910-3710
Phone: (301) 585-4000
Web Site: National VVA Home
Page
To find your State Council and Chapters, access the URL above
for the National VVA Home Page. Find and access the hyperlink
"Locate Your Local VVA Chapter." Then, scan down for the search
feature near the bottom of this Page. The direct URL should be:
http://www.vva.org/witest/chapters.aspx
The following was sent to our Site for North Carolina VVA
Chapter #124:
NC VVA Chapter #124 sponsors the "The Captain John G. Gardner,
USMC, Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Scholarship" to assist relatives
of Western North Carolina's Viet Nam Era Veterans with the expenses
of higher education.
Captain Gardner was a 26-year-old, rescue helicopter pilot who
was shot down by enemy ground fire in Laos and was MIA until his
remains were found in 1999 and identified in 2000. He received the
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and numerous other awards
during his service. Captain Gardner's mother bequeathed funds to
Local VVA Chapter #124 in honor of her son, who had not been
located yet at the time of her death.
VVA #124 then decided to establish an endowment fund to provide
scholarships in Captain Gardner's name. Currently the fund offers
four (4) $500.00 scholarships annually to WNC students who are
relatives (including children, stepchildren or grandchildren) of
Viet Nam Era Veterans and (a) are 25 years or younger, (b) are high
school graduates or equivalent, (c) will attend college full-time
in the upcoming fall, (d) have financial need, and (e) have
demonstrated academic ability.
Applications are available from VVA# 124 or from regional public
high school guidance counselors. The deadline each year is March 1
or the next business day if the 1st falls on a weekend or
holiday.
Revised September 2002