[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1959-E1960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHAPTER 227 OF VIETNAM VETERANS OF 
                                AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to 
recognize the 25th Anniversary of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 
227. Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America, VVA, is the only 
national veterans organization exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era 
veterans and their families. Currently, there are 46 state councils and 
630 local chapters with more than 50,000 individual members. VVA's 
goals are to promote and support issues that are important to Vietnam 
veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans and 
to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.
  One local chapter, VVA Chapter 227, serves the needs of Vietnam 
veterans who live in Northern Virginia, and I commend them for their 
dedication and commitment to our veterans. Chapter 227 was founded in 
1985 with 15 people meeting at the NCO club at Fort Myer. Since then, 
the chapter has grown and continues to be an engaged and active asset 
in the community.
  Chapter services include providing support to homeless veterans, 
assisting in maintaining the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, 
DC, awarding the Vince Kaspar Prizes

[[Page E1960]]

for Excellence in the Arts to area high school students, and educating 
its membership and the public about addressing the needs of veterans. 
It is an inspiration that so many continue to answer the call to serve 
after the battle is done; there is no better advocate for veterans in 
need than those who understand the challenges they face.
  The founding principal of Vietnam Veterans of America is: ``Never 
again, will one generation of Veterans abandon another''. But in many 
cases, Vietnam veterans were abandoned by entire segments of the 
country. The government often failed to provide necessary services, 
and, tragically, some of the American public wrongly turned their 
opposition to the war into disrespect for our brave men and women who 
served in uniform. Instead of receiving the honor due all American 
service members, many received scorn. VVA works tirelessly to right 
these wrongs.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking VVA Chapter 
227 and all VVA chapters for their service to their community and our 
nation. Their service is a living reminder of the sacrifices our 
service men and women make from generation to generation. I also ask my 
colleagues to join me in expressing the gratitude and respect of our 
nation to those Vietnam-era veterans who served so bravely. I pledge 
that I will continue working to protect and improve the services and 
benefits so richly deserved by American servicemembers of all 
generations.

                          ____________________