Sunday, May 30, 1999
Seven of state's Vietnam Vet chapters in danger of folding
The Associated Press
CLEVELAND — At least seven of the state's 55 local chapters of the Vietnam Veterans of America are in danger of closing because of dwindling membership, the group said.
Veterans blame the decline on illness, lack of leadership and an aging membership retiring to other states.
Despite problems in a few local chapters, overall membership in Ohio has grown to about 4,000 — with 500 associate members, who include wives and children — said Douglas Lay, exec utive director of the VVA in Ohio.
Nationally, the group has 45,000 members, up from 30,000 at the end of the war, said Allen Green, director of membership affairs for VVA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Scott Campbell, director of public affairs for the VVA in Washington, said that for every chapter that closes, another opens in a different part of the country.
The Lorain County chapter, among those in danger in Ohio, lists more than 40 members on its roster, but only four or five show up for meetings, said Richard Corbin, chapter vice president.
Part of the problem arose when Ford Motor Co. closed half of its Lorain Assembly Plant in 1997.
Illnesses related to the herbicide Agent Orange used in Vietnam had been particularly hard on the chapter's membership, he said.
“I've lost six of my real good friends, and two are dying from it,” said Mr. Corbin, who will have brain surgery next month.
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Seven of state's Vietnam Vet chapters in danger of folding
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