The VVA Veteran

09/02/2025

Kurt Turner served as a Navy Corpsman on the hospital ship, the U.S.S. Repose off the coast of Da Nang in 1967-68. He tells all in his memoir, "I've Never Been to Heaven. "jHere's Bob Wartman's review, just posted on Books in Review II: https://vvabooks.wordpress.com/2025/09/02/ive-never-been-to-heaven-by-kurt-turner/

09/01/2025

Here's Episode 41 of “Dispatches,” our video web series. In it, Arts Editor Marc Leepson interviews Alex Vernon, a Distinguished Professor of English at Hendrix College in Arkansas, a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy who served as a Tank Lieutenant in the Persian Gulf War—and the author or editor of eleven books. They will focus on Professor Vernon’s new book, “Peace is a Shy Thing: The Life and Art of Tim O’Brien,” a brilliant literary biography of the most accomplished and acclaimed Vietnam War veteran writer.

08/26/2025

Coming Monday, September 1, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time: Episode 41 of “Dispatches,” our video web series. In it, Arts Editor Marc Leepson interviews Alex Vernon, a Distinguished Professor of English at Hendrix College in Arkansas, a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy who served as a Tank Lieutenant in the Persian Gulf War—and the author or editor of eleven books. They will focus on Professor Vernon’s new book, "Peace is a Shy Thing: The Life and Art of Tim O’Brien," a brilliant literary biography of the most accomplished and acclaimed Vietnam War veteran writer.

08/26/2025

"Last Battles, 1972-1975" is the latest Vietnam War military history book by the veteran military historian James Willbanks. Published by the U.S. Army Center of Military History, the book covers the final years of the Vietnam War, focusing on the most important battles, including the 1972 Easter Offensive and Operation Rolling Thunder. Here's John Cirafici's review, just posted on Books in Review II:
https://vvabooks.wordpress.com/2025/08/25/last-battles-1972-1975-by-james-h-willbanks/

The book is available online in PDF form free of cost at https://history.army.mil/portals/143/Images/Publications/catalog/76-8.pdf"

08/24/2025

Just posted: Former Marine Bill Broyles' brilliant and moving Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremonies of Vietnam Veterans of America's National Convention on Wednesday, August 6 in New Orleans. How brilliant? Take a look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7-9hmIbhQw

08/21/2025

Michael Fallon served as a recon platoon commander with the 1st Recon Battalion in the 1st Marine Division on a mountainous OP outside Danang in 1969-70. His new book, "Hill 119," is a detailed, yet readable, account of his year in the war. Here's Harvey Weiner's review, just posted on Books in Review II:

Retired Marine Col. Michael O. Fallon’s magnum opus, Hill 119: Defending a Reconnaissance Marine OP, Vietnam, 1969-1970 (Casemate, 480 pp. $39.95), is a very readable and probably the definitive hi…

08/10/2025

The National Convention Closing Ceremonies yesterday morning included a presentation by members of Sons and Daughters in Touch, the Gold Star sons and daughters of American servicemembers who perished in the Vietnam War.

08/08/2025

Some 750 delegates voted in the biennial elections for VVA’s four National Officers, nine Region Directors and ten At-Large Directors.

08/07/2025

Getting down to business on day 2 of the VVA National Convention.

08/07/2025

VVA National President Jack McManus addressing the delegates and guests during the National Convention’s Opening Ceremonies Wednesday morning.

08/05/2025

On-site registration began this morning at VVA’s National Convention at the New Orleans Marriott. Opening ceremonies start tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.

08/05/2025

The floor is set for the big VVA National Convention, which begins with Wednesday morning’s Opening Ceremonies here at the New Orleans Marriott. Set, that is, for about 750 delegates!