Who We Are

The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is a Nationwide Non-Profit Organization Chartered by Congress. Our Local Chapter 303 was incorporated in South Carolina on January 25th, 1989 as a Non-Profit Charitable Veteran Service organization (EIN 52-1850842) that shares the same goals as National VVA Chapters in the United States.  

Group Exemption – VVA State Councils and Chapters are covered under VVA’s Group Exemption (# 3202). The IRS sometimes recognizes a group of organizations as tax-exempt if they are affiliated with a central organization. This avoids the need for each of the organizations to apply for exemptions individually. A group exemption letter has the same effect as an individual exemption letter except that it applies to more than one organization. VVA, its State Councils, and Chapters are recognized as Veterans Service Organizations. They share IRS Determination Number 501 (c) 19. 

Admission

Admission into a VVA Chapter requires only an honorable discharge from military service and evidence of active military service (a) in the Republic of Vietnam, or (b) in any duty location between 05 Aug 64 and 07 May 75. Gender, age, race, sexual orientation, or disability are not required for admission, nor is that personal information kept at the national, state, or chapter level.  At the local chapter, Chapter 303, we strive to be an advocate on issues most important to veterans. We strive to seek a positive public perception of the Vietnam Veteran in the Midlands of South Carolina. Many of our members are affiliated with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers of America, and Daughters of the American Revolution.

We now have over 200 registered members.  We have made some great strides by formulating a Website that would give the Chapter much more visibility in the Community, and we still have a lot to accomplish.

VVA's Goals

VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA strives to achieve the following:

  • Aggressively advocate on issues important to veterans
  • Seek full access to quality health care for veterans
  • Identify the full range of disabling injuries and illnesses incurred during military service
  • Hold government agencies accountable for following laws mandating veterans’ health care
  • Create a positive public perception of Vietnam Veterans
  • Seek the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs
  • Support the next generation of America’s war veterans
  • Serve our communities

“Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”

VVA knows what returning veterans face. We have been through it before, and we know that, despite all the rhetoric, returning veterans will face major problems. VVA will be here for as long as it takes to make sure that those who serve our country receive the care and respect they have earned.