Respectively,
Norma Demerly AVVA Rep
(Washington, D.C.) The Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) is proud to announce that on July 17, 2009, The Honorable Eric K. Shineseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), signed the paperwork for AVVA to become a veterans service officer organization. "We are honored to announce today, as we celebrate the tenth birthday of our organization," said Elaine Simmons, President of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, "that AVVA is now recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a national organization which will be able to use accredited service officers to assist in the preparation and process of benefits claims for veterans and eligible family members. AVVA thanks Secretary Shinseki for the swift and positive action on our application."
"This recognition will allow our organization to directly represent and assist America's sons and daughters who have donned the uniform in defense of our country, as well as their families," said Simmons. "We intend to utilize our current resources and strategic alliances, not only to meet, but to exceed the requirements established by the VA to represent claimants. "We are doing this," Simmons said, "because there simply are not enough accredited service officers to assist our veterans. Too many veterans have to wait months before they can even have an initial meeting with a service representative. We believe we can help close this gap to ensure that our veterans and their families receive the assistance they require and are entitled to."
The Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America is a national, nonprofit membership and service organization dedicated to advancing the full range of issues affecting all veterans, their families and their communities. Our more than 7,000 members are families, friends, and supporters of Vietnam veterans, as well as Vietnam veterans and veterans of other eras.
New October 19,
2009
The Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) National Web Site. The AVVA (Associate Members) have
7,321 (2,177 lifers) members nationally.
The AVVA Michigan State Council Meeting was called to order by President Penny Meinhardt on October 18th in Lansing. Penny talked about one of the AVVA incarcerated groups in Ohio becoming chartered. This will make it our first AVVA chapter to be chartered. On November 21st, Grand Rapids Veterans Home we will be serving the residents Thanksgiving Dinner. This is carried out by Chapter 18. We will be meeting at the home around 10:00 a.m. to start preparing the food. Dinner will be served around 4:30 p.m. There will be entertainment after dinner. If you are interested in helping out for a good cause, meet us between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The State Council has decided to meet every other month for the next few meetings due to our financial situation. Our next meeting will be on December 6th. The December 6th meeting will be our Christmas Dinner and Silent Auction. Members are asked to donate an item for the auction.
Associate Rep
Email Norma Demerly
