About Us

As US Servicemen began returning home from Vietnam in larger numbers, some were confronted by angry Americans and anti-war protestors. Even veteran organizations like the American Legion and the VFW were initially closed to them. The Veterans Administration seemed ill equipped to understand and treat the difficulties Vietnam Veterans grappled with.

In January 1978, a small group of Vietnam veterans came together as the “Council of Vietnam Veterans” and went to Washington, DC seeking acknowledgement and action from their government. The “Council” was renamed the “Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.”, and received a Congressional Charter in 1986. Chapters were formed throughout the US and In almost all 50 States. Chapter#355 Valencia, CA was incorporated in 1988 as a 501(c)(19) veterans tax exempt organization for the benefit of ALL veterans.

Chapter 355, “The Lost Patrol”, first brought the Moving Wall to Newhall in 1994. We continue to participate in local events such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, the July 4 Parade. Each year on March 29 we welcome all Vietnam Veterans to a National Vietnam War Veterans Day celebration. We donate funding and support to local groups such as: The Young Marines, the Boys & Girls Club, the American Legion Boys State program, Bridge to Home, Family Promise, the SCV Senior Center, LA County Fire Relief, “Run for The Wall”, etc.

We assist families of deceased veterans in receiving all military honors due. We seek opportunities to teach young people, students, Scouts and others about the Vietnam War. We continue to demand the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs.

 Not all Vietnam Veterans are members of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. But VVA is the only national Vietnam Veterans organization dedicated to Vietnam Veterans and their families. Of the estimated 830,000 Vietnam Veterans alive today, there are currently over 93,000 members nationwide in VVA, with 589 local Chapters in 46 states. Even though Vietnam Veterans are now in their late 70s and early 80s, this organization continues to grow.