Chapter 303 - Col. Jack Van Loan - VVA

05/25/2026

After several years of pushing for repairs to Columbia's Memorial Park's Vietnam Memorial Wall progress is being made. This is a night time view of the new lighting. Thanks to John Bailey and Capitol Electric for the repairs and the work is continuing to light the pylon.
Take time to visit this park and see all the memorials.

05/25/2026

Met up with several other Veterans at the Columbia Memorial Park today to pay our respects to the fallen at the Vietnam Memorial Wall there.

05/25/2026

05/19/2026

Today's (05-19-26) Business meeting with guest speaker Frankie Valle from the "Sons and Daughters in Touch" organization. Frankie spoke about the organization which is made up of family members of military members killed and or missing.
New members of the board, Dave Barnes and James Fitzgerald, were sworn in and the winners of the cash raffle were announced.

05/01/2026

Pictures from our 28th commemorative "Last Person Out" dinner at Golden Chopstix Vietnamese restaurant.

04/30/2026

April 30, 1975, the last Americans leave Vietnam on this date considered the official end of the Vietnam War.
Tonight Veterans gather at the Golden Chopstix Restaurant in West Columbia to commemorate this date. Pictures of this dinner will be posted later.

04/22/2026

Pictures from Todays (04/21/26) business meeting and swearing in of the new Executive Board for 2026-2028