President's Message - November 2025

Semi-annual activities report for Chapter 392

• Membership has increased from 172 to 180 thus far in the fiscal year. We attribute this to our monthly outreach events and our membership promotion campaign.
  
  
• We started our new Community Outreach program in March. These are monthly events held at local Bi-Mart stores. Our goal is to meet with the public to increase awareness of VVA and what we do and distribute literature on Agent Orange, the PACT Act, PTSD, etc.
  
  
• The chapter was given a special gift from the widow of a Marine WWII veteran who worked at the U.S. embassy in Saigon at the time of the 1968 Tet attack. These included the American flag that was flying over the embassy at that time. We are exploring possible locations to display it. Learn more about the Tet Flag.
  
  
• We are making a $50,000 contribution to Fort Kennedy this year.
  
  
• Chapter 392 thinks that the VVA should consider a legacy project to build a National Vietnam War Museum. We made this proposal at the Oregon State Council meeting and it was approved. The recommendation was presented to the National VVA board and was officially adopted as a legacy goal.
  
  
• We have started preparations for our 2026 scholarship program and plan to increase the amount to $25,000 next year.
  
  
• We have made 3 veteran assistance awards so far this year totaling $1,400.00.
  
  
• We continue to partner with two JROTC high schools in the Portland area (Oregon City and Reynolds).

• Our Vet Center continues to reach and assist veterans of all conflicts with a variety of programs. These include Fort Kennedy (homeless veterans), a food pantry, clothes closet, free laundry service and showers, VSO/claim assistance and legal counseling services.
  

Steve Carr
USAF 1966-1970
VVA Chapter 392 President