The Future of Vietnam Veterans of America

On Monday, April 13 at 7pm ET, VBC Live welcomes national leaders of Vietnam Veterans of America for a candid and timely discussion about the organization’s future. Joining us are Thomas Burke, National President; Dominick Yezzo, National General Counsel; and James McCormick, Executive Director for Government Affairs. Nearly five decades after its founding, VVA faces a generational turning point. As Vietnam-era veterans age, the organization must determine how to preserve its identity and mission while ensuring continuity. Should membership remain exclusive to Vietnam-era veterans, or expand to include those who served in later conflicts? What structural or governance changes are under consideration? These questions surfaced forcefully at last year’s national convention in New Orleans, where debate over the organization’s direction revealed both deep loyalty to its founding purpose and strong differences over how best to move forward. On this program, our guests will explain the options being discussed, reflect on what is at stake, and share their own stories of military service and decades of advocacy. This conversation offers a respectful forum to better understand the choices ahead and the legacy VVA seeks to carry forward.