|
Region 7 REPORT
BY ALLEN J. MANUEL, DIRECTOR
Following the 2005 VVA National Convention, Region 7
was hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many Vietnam veterans
suffered extensive damage. Region 7 was not prepared when
this happened. Homes were damaged in Mississippi, Louisiana,
and in West Texas. Many were displaced and lost contact
with their families and friends.
It wasn’t very long
after the first hurricane that Vietnam Veterans of America
answered the call and started lending a helping hand. Money,
food, clothing, and other items were donated for those
in need. Some of our members even drove their own vehicles
to deliver necessities to Louisiana. Chapters in Region
7 and in other areas sent dollar donations. We then formed
a Katrina and a Disaster Relief Committee to help all veterans
move beyond these disasters. Region 7 would like to thank
those who supported us in our time of need.
VVA National
President John Rowan will visit Texas in February for the
mid-winter conference and will travel to Oklahoma in April.
Rowan and I met with state legislators to discuss veterans’ issues
in the state of Oklahoma.
The Region 7 representatives who
attended the National Leadership Conference were impressed
with the many seminars and will share the information with
those who were unable to attend.
Region 7 mourns the deaths
of Rod Metzler of San Marcos, Texas; Charlie Lee, the Texas
Agent Orange Chair; Lynn Fowler, Arkansas State Treasurer;
and Dean Reynolds, a Service Rep from Dallas.
In June all
of the Region 7 state councils held their elections. The
State Council Presidents are: Gary Trice, Arkansas; Dennis
Andras, Louisiana; Nate Washington, Oklahoma; and Buster
Newberry, Texas. Richard Delong did not seek re-election.
He served Louisiana for ten years and we wish him the best.
I
presented awards at the State Convention. Chapters of the
Year were: Chapter 830 (Arkansas), 632 (Louisiana), 751
(Oklahoma), and 292 (Texas).
The first Point Man of the
Year Award went to Larry Robinson of Arkansas; Gene Duhon
of Louisiana; Gary Strickland of Oklahoma; and in memory
of Charlie Lee, Texas. Region 7 Veteran of the Year was
given to Leslie DeLong for all her hard work, including
starting the first teacher awards in her state.
|
©2006-
2008, Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8605 Cameron
Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910