[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 18017-18018] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHAPTER 227 OF VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA ______ HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, November 18, 2010 Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize the 25th Anniversary of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 227. Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America, VVA, is the only national veterans organization exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. Currently, there are 46 state councils and 630 local chapters with more than 50,000 individual members. VVA's goals are to promote and support issues that are important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. One local chapter, VVA Chapter 227, serves the needs of Vietnam veterans who live in Northern Virginia, and I commend them for [[Page 18018]] their dedication and commitment to our veterans. Chapter 227 was founded in 1985 with 15 people meeting at the NCO club at Fort Myer. Since then, the chapter has grown and continues to be an engaged and active asset in the community. Chapter services include providing support to homeless veterans, assisting in maintaining the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, awarding the Vince Kaspar Prizes for Excellence in the Arts to area high school students, and educating its membership and the public about addressing the needs of veterans. It is an inspiration that so many continue to answer the call to serve after the battle is done; there is no better advocate for veterans in need than those who understand the challenges they face. The founding principal of Vietnam Veterans of America is: ``Never again, will one generation of Veterans abandon another''. But in many cases, Vietnam veterans were abandoned by entire segments of the country. The government often failed to provide necessary services, and, tragically, some of the American public wrongly turned their opposition to the war into disrespect for our brave men and women who served in uniform. Instead of receiving the honor due all American service members, many received scorn. VVA works tirelessly to right these wrongs. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking VVA Chapter 227 and all VVA chapters for their service to their community and our nation. Their service is a living reminder of the sacrifices our service men and women make from generation to generation. I also ask my colleagues to join me in expressing the gratitude and respect of our nation to those Vietnam-era veterans who served so bravely. I pledge that I will continue working to protect and improve the services and benefits so richly deserved by American servicemembers of all generations. ____________________