july/august 2007

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Region 9 REPORT

Growth In The West

BY DARROL BROWN, DIRECTOR
The past four years have flown by since the members of Region 9 first elected me to be their voice on the VVA Board of Directors. In that short time period a lot has happened out here west of the flatlands.

Region 9 has seen tremendous growth in membership and chapters. Utah has joined VVA with two chapters; Arizona has added a chapter; Nevada has added a chapter; California has added chapters; and Hawaii is trying to form a new chapter. Guam is thriving and my home chapter, 887, in Angeles City, Philippine Islands, is one of the fastest growing chapters in VVA. New Mexico is alive again, but we have some work to do in Colorado. I know more chapters are forming in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, and New Mexico. P.I. is looking at forming a new chapter, too. The more members, chapters, and state councils we have, the better we can serve our brother and sister veterans.

By the time you read this, we will be ready for the 2007 VVA National Convention in Springfield, Illinois. Regions 8 and 9 will have held our pre-Convention meeting in beautiful Fresno, California (hosted by the California State Council), and selected our delegates to the Convention. It is my aim for Regions 8 and 9 to be a united voice to help shape VVA into the 21st century.

I know that all chapters and state councils will maximize their delegate count, so Region 9 will be fully represented in the Land of Lincoln. My best wishes to the two candidates for Regional Director, Virgie Hibbler, Jr., and Dick Southern. It will be a tough decision on voting day.

Thank you for the privilege of being your BOD representative for the last four years. I am humbled and proud to have served you. I met so many outstanding members of VVA. I may be stepping back, but I am not going away. My predecessors and I have set a strong foundation for the next director, and we will be around to help the new person achieve great things.

Before I go, a huge thank you to Jerry Yamamoto and Dick Southern, the two best Alternate Regional Directors a guy could have. You kept me out of trouble and kept Region 9 on the move. Also, a huge thank you to Ken Holybee, Ken Daby, Bill Messer, and Virgie Hibbler, Jr., for always being there when I needed advice and leadership. I am indebted to all six of you great leaders. Region 9 is truly blessed to have you living here.