Greetings,
As President of VVA Chapter 131 I want to thank everyone for what you do to make our Chapter the best.
Our Chapter has been recognized as one of the oldest, existing Chapters in Pennsylvania. We are proud of that fact and continue to grow each month. We have made it our mission, whenever we see a fellow Veteran wearing a hat or t-shirt we go over to them introduce ourselves and invite them to join us.
By keeping Chapter 131’s name in the public we have gained respect and a reputation we can be proud of.
We are very involved in the community; we participated in Parades, and attend many events. We set up displays and tables to hand out information about our Chapter and to recruit new members both those who served and their families who can join as Associate members. We also help other veterans by explaining their benefits and where to go for help and support.
Our Color Guard is very dedicated and does a great job representing us. They have marched in parades, stood at attention during events, and paid a final tribute as they watched over the caskets of our members during their funeral services.
When our Color Guard marches past a judging stand in a parade it is a proud moment when they announce the organization is 30 plus years strong. People stand and applaud when we pass by!!
We offer scholarships to students in the Berks County School Districts. Many of us have been interviewed by students, as they are working on papers and reports for their homework. We are invited each year to attend different schools on Veterans Day. They make us feel so welcomed and appreciated as we tell of our experiences, as we served our Country.
Several of our members serve as mentors to our newest generation of veterans who have their own special war related issues. A committee has been formed to keep us updated on the latest information on Agent Orange, its effects on several generations and the newly listed diseases related to the exposure.
Our monthly meetings are on the second Thursday of the month at the READING REGIONAL AIRPORT, 2501 BERNVILLE ROAD, READING, PA 19605 . We gather together starting at 1:00 for coffee and conversation. The meeting begins at 2:00. Come out and join us!
If you know any one who is interested in joining as a Vietnam Veteran or an Associate, just have them come to a meeting and introduce themselves and we’ll connect them to Joe Willard our Membership Secretary or Helen Simpson our AVVA President.
The Associates Vietnam Veterans of America - AVVA is the extended family of VVA. It is made up of Veterans of all eras, families and friends of Veterans, and all persons who support Veterans' issues. AVVA is a catalyst for action, healing, reconciliation, mutual support, and fellowship. So if you have a friend or family member who would like to get involved this would be a great fit for them. We meet at 1:00 prior to the VVA meeting at the Reading Regional Airport.
Remember the Vietnam Veterans Of America statement –
"Never again will one generation of Veterans abandon another.”
We continue to be the voice of not only Vietnam but all Veterans.
Thank You,
Bernie Bingham
President
