Veterans organizations in the United States go back almost to the beginning of the country. They encompass most of the U.S. wars starting with the Revolution. The Society of the Cincinnati, comprised of officers from the Continental Army, is one example. There was the Grand Army of the Republic for Civil War veterans, and the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for World War II veterans.
One veterans organization has had it a bit harder than all those others. The Vietnam Veterans of America is dedicated exclusively to Vietnam-era veterans, and unlike those other organizations and other wars, the VVA’s mission is serving the soldiers from America’s most divisive and unpopular war.
In the decade after the war, Vietnam veterans were frequently ignored and sometimes stigmatized. And it became clear the established groups like the American Legion were not making Vietnam veterans a priority. In January 1978 a group of Vietnam veterans founded the Council of Vietnam Veterans, which evolved into the VVA the next year. Its mission was to advocate for Vietnam veterans and get their concerns and issues onto the nation’s legislative and public agenda.
The big breakthrough, according to the VVA’s website, came in 1981 when the Iranian hostages came home after 14 months in captivity. The hostages had dominated the news for all of 1980 and played a decisive role in the presidential election that year. When the hostages were finally released, the country came together to celebrate them. There were parades, magazine covers, and more. But the contrast between the welcome given to the hostages and the lack of appreciation for Vietnam veterans ended up bringing that subject to the fore. “Vietnam-era veterans wanted action in the form of programs that would place the latest generation of veterans on the same footing as veterans from previous wars,” the VVA website states.
Sean Venables.
With that history as a backdrop, Fox Tales connected with Sean Venables, editor of the VVA Veteran, for his insights into the organization’s priorities and its members’ needs circa 2023. Here’s a transcript of our conversation.
Fox Tales: Tell us about the key issues facing VVA now, in 2023, particularly as Vietnam veterans age.
Sean Venables: Vietnam Veterans of America and its membership are grappling with several key issues, many of which are likely to continue or evolve in 2023 and beyond. Vietnam War veterans are now in their late 60s to early 80s, or even older. With that come a range of health issues, both those related to service and those that are a natural part of aging.
All in-country Vietnam War veterans were exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides that have been linked to a range of health issues including cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. As these veterans age, the long-term effects of these exposures become more pronounced. Ensuring that veterans receive appropriate care and compensation for service-related conditions remains a central issue for our organization.
Additionally, VVA recognizes that many older Vietnam War veterans are on fixed incomes and might struggle with the rising costs of living, healthcare, and other essentials. Advocating for policies and legislation that support Vietnam War veterans, protect their rights, and insure they receive the benefits they are owed is a continuous effort.
Finally, VVA is grappling with decisions about the organization’s future, including dissolution processes. Deciding how best to serve an aging veteran population while also planning for the organization’s long-term future is a complex challenge. And while VVA primarily serves Vietnam War veterans, there’s a need to engage younger generations, both to understand the legacy of the Vietnam War and to continue advocacy work for veterans of all eras.
Fox Tales: I read that your prior role was at Stars & Stripes, a staple for active-duty military. How has that experience informed you work at VVA?
Venables: I was both fortunate and honored to be a part of Stars & Stripes, which has a long and proud history of providing independent military news and information to those serving our country abroad.
Over the course of my decade at the newspaper, I covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan daily, even as those headlines faded from America’s daily news coverage. The treatment of veterans who have returned from these wars in the Middle East is a great demonstration of how far this nation has come since the days of the Vietnam War.
Today there is no question among the American public at large of the bravery and heroism of our military service members, and we should recall that this progress came only through the great work of veterans organizations like VVA, composed of men and women just as brave and heroic as those of today, but who received no hero’s welcome upon their return home.
I also know and appreciate the importance of telling the stories of these terrible conflicts. The news coverage of the Vietnam War in those days had a tremendous and direct impact on the coverage of later conflicts—for better and for worse. What hasn’t changed is the necessity for an informed public that has at least some ability to research, learn, and take an educated approach in future international relations. I took great pride in being a part of that effort with Stars & Stripes, and I’ve brought that same passion to my work here at The VVA Veteran. The stories we tell in our magazine are of limitless value to those who will seek to understand our times.
Fox Tales: In a general sense for all veterans, not just for Vietnam veterans, what are the critical needs?
Venables: I think PTSD and other mental-health issues remain a concern for many veterans. As they age, some might experience an exacerbation of symptoms or face new emotional challenges related to their wartime experiences. There’s also the issue of age-related cognitive decline, which might compound mental-health challenges. Again, advocating for policies and legislation that support our veterans, protect their rights, and ensure they receive the benefits they are owed is a continuous process that cannot be neglected. Even important victories like the recent passage of the PACT Act still require continued attention as the implementation of these laws can be as important as the passage itself.
Fox Tales: How can VVA’s media channels help move the mission of the overall organization forward?
Venables: While I would be hesitant to speak for media channels we have beyond The VVA Veteran and associated products like our Dispatches web interview series, I think it’s safe to say that we all serve an essential role for the organization in facilitating open and transparent communication between VVA national leadership and our members. All major organizational decisions are made by vote of delegates at the organization’s biennial national conventions, so it is essential that membership is well-informed about all issues VVA faces, as well as on progress made legislatively in Washington and on the ground at the chapter level. The VVA Veteran magazine gives leadership the opportunity to communicate directly and clearly with membership, in their own words, while also providing an open forum for members to respond and communicate their own thoughts.
Fox Tales: What are your top priorities for 2023 and beyond for the VVA’s media operations?
Venables: As Vietnam War veterans age, there’s an increased focus on preserving their stories, legacies, and ensuring that future generations understand and remember the Vietnam War, its veterans, and the war’s impact. To that end, memorial and legacy preservation will take on ever greater importance for our media operations as we move forward. Archival efforts, both physical and digital, of The VVA Veteran have already been undertaken in association with both Texas Tech University and the University of Florida.
Fox Tales: Tell us about the importance of your relationship with Fox Associates, and how they assist in your and the organization’s goals.
Venables: Fox Associates is an important partner for both The VVA Veteran and VVA as an organization, with years of experience connecting and building relationships with businesses that value and appreciate our audience of Vietnam War and other military veterans. Through the efforts of Fox Associates, our advertising partners help support our mission of serving our members and providing them with the high-quality publication they have come to expect. The story of VVA is one of Vietnam War veterans coming together to ensure that, as VVA’s Founding Principle puts it, “Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another,” and with the help of our partners at Fox Associates, The VVA Veteran magazine will continue to tell that story for many years to come.