The VVA Veteran: Annual Committee Report: Public Affairs

March / April 2009

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March / April 2009

ANNUAL COMMITTEE REPORT:

Public Affairs

BY KEITH KING, CHAIR

The following are the Public Affairs resolutions passed at the 2007 National Convention and an update on the progress and actions taken over the last two years to fulfill the resolutions. I want to thank the members of the PA committee for the support they have given for the many initiatives that we have undertaken over the past several years. If you enjoy the new Veteran, the new web site, the Web Weekly emails, and the new wartime map of Vietnam, thank a member of the PA Committee.

Two new Public Affairs resolutions were adopted at the 2007 Convention. The Public Awareness Campaign for Veteran Benefits obligated the committee to launch a $20,000 advertising campaign to spread the word. It also encouraged VVA chapters to publicize the availability of our VVA Service Officers. The Public Affairs Committee has submitted the budget request. Upon approval of the budget, we will do the creative work and launch the campaign. Some would argue that the lawsuit filed by VVA and the Veterans of Modern Warfare against the VA for its poor and untimely handling of claims surely raised the awareness of the claims issue.

The second new resolution calls on the committee to support the creation and funding of the Gold Star Mothers Monument. There is no financial impact on VVA. By including it in this report we have met the obligation of the resolution to publicize it.

P-12-07 Public Awareness for Veterans Benefits Campaign
Resolved That: The members of VVA call for the Public Affairs Committee to budget at least $20,000 to advertise to the membership and the public and to publicize the availability of veterans’ benefits and how to claim them. Further, the membership instructs the leadership to encourage VVA chapters to publicize the availability of service officers to file claims. We further request that a letter be sent to the Veterans Affairs Department with a copy of this resolution.

Financial Impact Statement: An expenditure of $20,000 for various forms of public advertising is required.

P-13-07 Gold Star Mothers National Monument
Resolved That: Vietnam Veterans of America applauds our Gold Star Mothers and supports the development and construction of an American Gold Star Mothers National Monument in Washington, D.C. Further, each chapter and state council is encouraged to reach out to Gold Star Mothers in their communities and to help in the fundraising needed to construct the monument.

Public Affairs Resolutions P-01, 02, 03, and 05 were written to encourage chapter members to get involved within their communities. Although the PA Committee is always looking for outstanding examples of the work being done by our chapters and we are including more examples of the work done by our chapters in The VVA Veteran, we do not have a specific update to present regarding these continuing resolutions.

P-1-95 Community Services
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America encourages chapters to take the initiative to make a better community for everyone and serve as a focal point to promote the interrelationship between Vietnam veterans and the community. To accomplish this mission, VVA, at the national, state, and local levels, should publish useful materials, including national and state resolutions, through the media to communicate our message.

P-2-95 Children’s Welfare
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America calls upon Vietnam-era veterans and their families, through financial and personal contributions, to act responsibly to ensure the protection and development of infants and children in the United States and throughout the world.

P-3-95 Chapter Involvement with Educational Institutions on Teaching the Vietnam War
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America encourages the balanced, comprehensive teaching of the Vietnam War at all educational levels, including the Department of Defense education system. Chapters are encouraged to establish ties with schools and colleges in their areas for the purpose of making appropriate individuals available to help teach the Vietnam War.

The PA Committee sent a letter to many education systems offering to sell our “25th Anniversary Wall” book to them as a reference book on the war, and we have encouraged state councils and chapters to buy books and donate them to their local schools and libraries.

P-4-95 Regulation of Certain Activities at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America strongly recommends that the National Park Service, with the fullest capabilities of its jurisdiction and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, prohibit the use of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and adjacent areas for press conferences, politically motivated actions or statements, and all conduct not in keeping with its purpose as a place of healing, remembrance, and acknowledgment of the costs of the Vietnam War. Furthermore, VVA urges the National Park Service to continue its vigilance concerning vendors and solicitors in the immediate vicinity of the memorial and to ensure an atmosphere of reverence and respect for those honored there.

P-5-95 Endorsement for Participation in Local Environmental Efforts
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America encourages chapters and state councils to network with other groups and participate in programs and political efforts to minimize the adverse effects of toxic- and nuclear-waste dumping, collect hazardous home waste, general recycling efforts, and home-site energy efficiency.

P-6-03 Biennial Publication of the VVA Constitution and Convention Resolutions in The VVA Veteran
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America resolves to publish its Constitution and Convention Resolutions in The VVA Veteran every two years, after each National Convention.

This resolution will be deleted for 2009 as all resolutions are now posted on our website, vva.org, and are available to members by mail.

P-7-03 Requirement To Report Progress on All Currently Approved Convention Resolutions at Least Annually
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America requires that all national committees and task forces report at least annually in The VVA Veteran on actions taken that further the implementation of current Convention resolutions.

P-8-01 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America calls upon Vietnam veterans along with their adjunct organization, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, to support and maintain their commitment to conserve the legacy, respect, and honor that The Wall has come to mean to Vietnam veterans and their families

P-9-05 Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project
P-9-05 was moved to the Government Affairs Committee for follow up and action. The committee felt that the appropriate effort to address this issue was through legislative efforts and therefore reassigned this resolution.

P-10-01 Recognition of Veterans Against Drugs Task Force
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America, whose motto is “In Service To America,” recognizes and supports Veterans Against Drugs’ commitment to be drug free in order to be an example of the values of VVA’s core mission.

The VAD program has been moved to the VSF, which will fund and promote this important program. This resolution will be removed for 2009.

P-11-07 Support for Chapel of Four Chaplains Recognition Program
Resolved, That: Vietnam Veterans of America continues to support the annual award of these three levels of Chapel awards to deserving members of AVVA and VVA; and that Vietnam Veterans of America shall support, in any feasible way, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America at all Chapel functions where possible at no cost to the VVA national organization.

The support of this resolution has been withdrawn and the resolution will be removed for 2009.

The Public Affairs Committee: Keith King, Chair; Pat Bessigano, Vice Chair. Members: Grant Coates, Jim Boyd (Press Club Chair), Jerry Yamamoto, Dan Stenvold, Dick Southern (VVA Talklist Chair), Tom Meinhardt, Dave McMichael, Steve House (Poetry Chair), James Maddox, Joe Jenkins, Tom Hall (Education Chair), Tom Burke, Charlie Montgomery (Awards Chair), Carol Schetrompf, John Miner (SPOC List Chair), Ken Diegel, and Tony Catapano. AVVA: Nancy Switzer, Carol Southern, and Suzanne Blohm-Weber. Staff: Mokie Porter, Carol Engle, Michael Keating, Wes Guidry, Candis Chaney, Marc Leepson, Michael Najarian, and Xande Anderer.