[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5727]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  COMMEMORATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA'S 
                   FIRST CHAPTER IN RUTLAND, VERMONT

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President. Two years ago, I stood before you 
as the proud sponsor of a resolution commemorating the 20th anniversary 
of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). Today I am here to honor the 
20th anniversary of VVA's first chapter--born and raised in my home 
town of Rutland, Vermont.
  Twenty years ago, Vietnam Veterans were suffering under the wave of 
anti- Vietnam sentiment that had swept the nation. Little recognition 
was given to their sacrifices during the war. And in fact, there was 
even a great deal of official denial about the extent of the price that 
had been paid by these veterans, both physical and emotional. It would 
be years before Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder would be a recognized 
condition for many veterans and years before the Federal Government 
would admit that use of Agent Orange had left a terrible legacy of 
continued suffering for our veterans. The founders of the VVA felt that 
they must have an organization to speak directly to those needs. The 
outpouring of enthusiasm from the veterans themselves demonstrated the 
depth of these feelings.
  In 1979, during a trip to Vermont, VVA founder Bobby Muller met Don 
Bodette. Don supported the notion of an organization of and for Vietnam 
era veterans, but felt that it would only be truly successful if they 
mobilized locally and established chapters. The power of Don's logic 
and commitment persuaded Bobby Muller to adopt his model. On April 13, 
1980, VVA Chapter One was established in Rutland, Vermont. Taking up 
the challenge, Don was joined by Jake Jacobsen, Albert and Mary 
Trombley, Mike Dodge, Dennis Ross and Mark Truhan, to name a few. 
Today, April 13, 2000, VVA Chapter One has 120 members hailing from 19 
states and 3 other countries.
  I would like to add my voice to the multitudes both in and outside of 
Vermont who are celebrating this auspicious anniversary. I join in 
recognizing the tremendous work done by the VVA, both in Vermont and 
nationally. As a Vietnam era veteran myself, we all owe a debt of 
gratitude to VVA Chapter One's farsighted founders and the committed 
members who have followed their lead. Happy 20th Birthday, Chapter One! 
May you have many more! 

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