New York State Council

(New Orleans, Louisiana) – Tom Burke of New Philadelphia, Ohio, was elected to serve his first term as Vietnam Veterans of America National President at VVA’s 22^nd biennial National Convention held this week in New Orleans, Louisiana. Burke previously served three terms as VVA National Vice President and multiple tours on the VVA National Board of Directors. He volunteered for military service in the U.S. Navy in 1963, serving aboard the U.S.S. Hancock in his final year.

“To my mind, VVA over the past now approaching fifty years, has become the best VSO in the land. I have been able to represent our VVA members within the highest government offices in the country. I can guarantee you that our officials in Washington know who we are, and they ask for our opinions on many items. They respect us, because we respect them. Whatever we face, whatever road we choose, whatever comes our way, our organization has risen to the

(Washington, D.C) — “The enactment of the Korean American VALOR Act is a significant step toward rectifying the inequity in care for those who fought alongside us in Vietnam,” said Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America. The VALOR Act expands eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits like medical and dental care to over 4,000 veterans of the South Korean armed forces who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.

“Our government offered healthcare to generations of allied forces prior to the Vietnam War; our Korean brothers in arms — now American citizens — have until now been unjustly denied access to care that they earned through service,” said McManus.

President McManus emphasized VVA’s commitment to collaborating with members of the Korean Vietnam Veterans community and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the VALOR Act is implemented in a way that maximizes access to

(Washington, D.C.) — “Vietnam Veterans of America commends President Joe Biden for signing the National Medal of Honor Highway Act into law,” said Jack McManus, VVA National President. “The designation of coast-to-coast US Highway 20, spanning 12 states for a total distance of 3,365 miles from Newport, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts, as the National Medal of Honor Highway is a fitting acknowledgment of the extraordinary contributions of these brave servicemembers to our nation.

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military medal for valor and bravery, historically honoring the ‘bravest of the brave.’ Of the 60 surviving Medal of Honor recipients, 44 are Vietnam veterans. Nationwide recognition of their service and honoring of their sacrifice is of the utmost importance to VVA and to all Vietnam veterans,” said McManus. “The surviving Vietnam MOH recipients make up 73% of the total surviving recipients and represent an entire generation of