Vietnam Combat Veterans Coalition
An Honor Organization Advocating For Infantry Combat Vietnam Veterans
Declaration of Principles
Vietnam Combat Veterans Coalition is an honor organization composed of combat, infantry Vietnam Veterans who have banded together to form an association to advocate for our rights, and mutually help and support one another. We are a patriotic veterans organization upholding the ideals of our country and honoring our service to our country in the Vietnam War.
Our loyalties are to each other and the ideals of our great Republic. We realize we have often been made scapegoats for political reasons and been victimized by our fellow Americans for our sacrifice on their behalf against our Country's enemies in Vietnam. We share a special experience and bond which is often not understood, which is why we formed this association.
We were honorable and brave warriors in the Vietnam War, and we remain honorable here in the United States in spite of how we were treated. As having experienced War, we value peace and harmony more than most can understand, but will advocate for our rights before the government of this great land to obtain our due.
- Article I - General Provisions
- Section 1
- Our name is Vietnam Combat Veterans Coalition (VCVC).
- Our organization is incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey.
- We are and IRS tax-exempt, non-profit, Veterans organization.
- Section 2
- Our purpose is to be an honor organization advocating for the rights of Vietnam Combat Veterans.
- We remember and honor our service in the Vietnam War by mutually listening to and supporting each other.
- Our organization is for infanty, Vietnam combat veterans only.
- We conduct special projects, such as addressing the Agent Orange issue, helping veterans with PTSD claims, and providing food for homeless veterans, especially homeless Vietnam combat veterans.
- Section 3
- Our membership is open to infantry, conbat Vietnam veterans who served in the Vietnam War from 1960 to 1975, regardless as to race, color, national origin, sex, ethnic origin, or political persuasion.
- We have no dues since we believe we paid our dues in combat in Vietnam.
- Our members are non-lifer, non-officer Vietnam veterans, because officers and lifers have their own organizations to belong to.
- Ninety percent of our organization must be composed of infantry grunts. The other ten percent may be composed of other veterans who served in combat.
- Military rank or medals hold no special esteem to us, because we value honorable service in combat as our ultimate ideal. We believe the average enlisted warrior won the battles and did the majority of the suffering and dying for our great country.
- Section 4
- Management and control of the organization rests in a board of trustees, composed of members who have been honorable and continuous members for at least five years. There are five trustees elected every two years at our annual convention held at a determined location on November 10th by all members present, having been properly notified of such meeting.
- Day-to-day operations, the conduct of meetings, and usual business is conducted by the officers, who are elected once a year at the November 10th convention by the majority of members present, having been properly notified of such meeting. They consist of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and sergeant-at-arms. Term of office is year-to-year.
- Officers and members may be removed for dishonorable conduct by a special vote of the membership properly notified, at any time of year.
- Section 5
- Our fiscal year begins on January 1st of each year and ends on December 31st of each year.
- We operate under the rules and regulations of a 501 C sec. 19 not for profit veterans organization according to the IRS.
- Section 6
- Our logo and symbol is crossed M-16 rifles set in an oval or circle, with Vietnam Combat Veterans Coalition spelled out around it.
- Our motto is, "An honor organization adovcating the rights of infantry combat Vietnam veterans."
- Article II - State Councils
- Section 1
- We are a national organization headquartered in New Jersey.
- We may have state councils as we see fit, which must adhere to our principles and operation. They will operate the same as the national organization and must be officially sanctioned by the national leadership.
- There are no dues since we believe we paid our dues in combat in Vietnam.
- Article III - Local Chapters
- Section 1
- Local chapters will operate the same as the state councils and national organization, and will abide by the rules and regulations of the national organization.
- Section 2
- There are no dues since we believe we paid our dues in combat in Vietnam.
- Article IV - Finance, Discipline, Discrimination, Dissolution
- Section 1
- All revenue or income shall be derived from fundraisers or donations voted on by the membership, and received and recorded according to IRS rules and regulations.
- Any discipline or charges shall be brought to the officers, and any actions brought to the members for a vote as to the disposition of such.
- We will not tolerate any discrimination against any members based on race, religion, national origin, sex, ethnic origin, or political persuasion.
- Section 2
- Upon dissolution, all assets will be distributed among all the current members equally.