Public Affairs Committee Update July/August 2021

BY DENNIS HOWLAND, CHAIR

With the reopening of schools with face-to-face instruction and community activities I encourage everyone to increase the activity of local VVA programs. Vets in Classrooms and the VVA JROTC Medal and Eagle Scout programs have hung on surprisingly well considering the obstacles we’ve faced during the pandemic.

The top three winners of the National JROTC Cadet competition have been selected by the Awards Committee. First place goes to Rhode Island Cadet Christopher Sebastiao ($2.500); second place to Iowa Cadet Alena Litzel ($1,500); and third to Utah Cadet Meg Harris. Congratulations to all.

I appreciate everyone who has been involved with the chapters and state councils in presenting medals, and those who have participated in the nationwide competition. We are still trying to work with the Air Force and Army JROTC to gain approval for the cadets to wear our ribbons on their uniforms. Apparently, both branches are reviewing their medals and ribbons lists and eliminating those that aren’t active. The Navy JROTC reported that the determination is left to the individual JROTC units.

JROTC and Eagle Scout Medals are available through the VVA Communications Department. Proposed Public Affairs Resolutions for the National Convention were reviewed and discussed by the committee members who responded to my emails. We determined that no changes would be made to our resolutions at the Convention. All Public Affairs Resolutions will remain active and intact.

Communications Director Mokie Porter and I recently participated in a Zoom Meeting with Phil Waite, the Chief of Strategic Engagement at the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration Committee. He presented a proposal for a new approach to accelerate and broaden the Commemoration Committee’s effort to get all Vietnam War veterans pinned. The Commemoration expires on Veterans Day in 2025.

The plan is to enlist local chapters of community and patriotic organizations such as the Daughters of American Revolution and Patriot Quilts to pin and honor Vietnam War veterans in conjunction with local VVA chapters.

According to Waite, “Our hope is having one of our Commemorative Partners near each of your VVA chapters recognize each chapter as an ‘Honorary Partner’ of this national Commemoration (i.e., receive a commemorative flag and the nation’s deep gratitude). In addition, our partners would present each VVA chapter member a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin. We understand this would involve recognizing some 85,000 members. However, we are committed to this recognition for your service and sacrifice. It is the very least we do for what you all endured on behalf of the nation.”

We followed that with a Zoom meeting with President John Rowan for his input. As of January 2020, nearly 2.5 million pins had been issued by the Commemoration Committee to some 11,000 partners. About 300 VVA chapters have signed on as partners.

We would appreciate your input regarding Waite’s plan before we present a motion to develop our side of the program and to work with the Commemoration Committee. Email your views to mporter@vva.org or dhowland@vva.org

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