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From the National Office

By Dave Kettenhofen

The current VVAW fundraising and membership drive is coming along just fine. We have recruited many new members, had hordes of old members re-up and have received some very generous contributions. Thanks to all: your donations are greatly appreciated!

The new membership cards have been printed and all dues-paying members will receive them upon receipt of their application forms. Just a reminder: to be considered an active member of VVAW you must pay your annual dues of $20. In the past we have been quite lax in this area but have been forced to tighten up a bit in order to keep on keepin' on. If you have not received a letter concerning this matter it means we don't have your current address and you should use the application form included in this issue of The Veteran.

The National Steering Committee Meeting was held in Chicago on October 31 and was well attended. At the meeting, Jeff Machota of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois was elected as an additional member of the National Staff. Jeff maintains VVAW's award-winning website, is instrumental in publishing The Veteran and flat out does tons and tons of work for the organization. His energy level is contagious and very welcome! Also, Jay Tobin of Eau Claire, Wisconsin will take over as our new Midwest Regional Coordinator. Jay, a Nam vet and combat medic, is a longtime VVAW member who has been active in many progressive causes along with his VVAW work. He hopes to spark some VVAW interest in the Minnesota Twin Cities area.

Hats off to the members of VVAW's newest chapter, Champaign-Urbana! They are doing an incredible amount of work and seem tireless. With a mix of veterans, non-veterans, young college students and old-timers, they maintain our website, edit and publish The Veteran, have printed and sent out the fundraising/membership mailing, hosted two campouts, a Midwest Regional meeting and security workshops, and still find time to take part in VVAW activities in Chicago and Milwaukee. Have I left anything out?

It's really encouraging to see the participation of the young student activists in our organization. They seem very eager to absorb our history and to promote the positive ideals we've worked for. It's not just a one-way street, either: there is much for us crusty old codgers to learn from them too. They offer new perspectives and fresh energy that are needed if we wish to remain a viable organization. Through this younger generation, our history will remain alive and not become just another page in an old book.

The Chicago Chapter has also been quite active this summer and fall, putting on its annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day events. Additionally, its members were instrumental in organizing and staffing the homeless veteran standdowns in Chicago where hundreds of veterans were fed, clothed, and offered other needed services. This was "in the trenches" work. They also recruited volunteers from other VVAW chapters, universities and socially concerned organizations to help with the work. Thanks to all who helped out.

Dave Kettenhofen is a VVAW national coordinator from Milwaukee.