A publication of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
December 2001/January 2002
AVVA Report
Looking Back and Looking Ahead
By Nancy Switzer, President
It was my pleasure to attend Veterans Day services with Barbara "Peaches" Walton from Baltimore. Peaches, who is 24, is the new AVVA Maryland State Representative. She brings young blood into our organization. She is energetic and greatly dedicated to the concerns of veterans and their families.
Also on Veterans Day, we laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and then Val Henrickson, the New York State Associate rep, and Peaches placed a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. AVVA was well represented to honor our veterans. Peach’s husband Jim helped AVVA in the membership booth. I thank everyone for participating.
In the past year many events of note have taken place. They include: our first elections of state representatives; our first project for veterans, The Paper Safe; and our first Leadership Conference, which took place during the VVA National Convention. Many positives have been accomplished. We continue to work in partnership with VVA to improve the lives of veterans and their families.
This year will bring new programs to help families and veterans. We are working on producing books for children that teach the meanings of the American flag. Children will learn to respect and honor the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. This will be done in honor of the Gold Star Mothers and with our commitment to VVA in helping the Veterans Against Drugs Program. Our election for national officers and Regional Directors will be taking place in Tucson in August at VVA’s National Leadership Conference.
Many people have contacted me about getting copies of The Paper Safe. It is being reproduced. We plan on distributing it to AVVA and VVA members in the near future.
I wish everyone a happy and blessed New Year, and I look forward to continuing our work for veterans and their families. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.
E-mail us at TheVeteran@vva.org