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Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program - ACTION: 11/10/1981 (2 of 4)
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Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program - ACTION: 11/10/1981 (2 of 4)
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program -
ACTION: 11/10/1981
(2 of 4)
Box: 52
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
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MEMORANDUM
APPROVED FOR
THE WHITE HOUSE
Date:
WASHINGTON
Time.
Length:
October 8, 198 Date
GJN
TO:
Red Cavaney
FROM: Morton C. Blackwell
When you called me regarding the President's veteran related
activities on November 11, I told you I was unaware of any
schedule proposals other than the wreath laying, which is
traditional and appropriate.
Subsequently, I learned of this pending proposal by Tom Pauken.
I strongly suggest that Veterans Day is a very appropriate
occasion for the President to announce this now approved new
program of voluntary action in behalf of veterans which his
Administration has undertaken.
Not only would this show a real sensitivity for problems of
veterans but it would be right in line with the President's
policy of encouraging volunteerism. As you may recall, this
ACTION project, Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, involves
successful Vietnam veterans in voluntary counseling programs
for the less successful veterans of that era.
10/17/81
Tricia
could
jeterans
excellent
Victna
support.
At
tibler.
godly
nothi.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 6, 1981
MEETING WITH VIETNAM VETERANS
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
DATE:
November 10, 1981
LOCATION:
Rose Garden or
Roosevelt Room
TIME:
11:45 a.m.
FROM:
Elizabeth Dole
I.
PURPOSE
To stimulate public notice of the emerging leadership role
of the nation's Vietnam veterans by recognizing the
participants in the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
(VVLP).
II. BACKGROUND
The vast majority of the veterans of the country's most
recent war have readjusted well and now are assuming
leadership roles throughout-the society. These leaders
are a vital resource for the nation's future. These
successful veterans are stepping forward as volunteers
to help their fellow veterans who still face lingering
problems associated with their service in the Vietnam
war. Administered by ACTION, the program is an important
new thread in the fabric of the veterans' services -- but
it is only one thread in the fabric, and this Administration
is committed to maintaining and improving the services
Vietnam veterans earned by serving their nation in
extremely dangerous and difficult circumstances.
III. PARTICIPANTS
Ed Meese
Jim Baker
Mike Deaver
Elizabeth Dole
Dick Darman
Craig Fuller
Morton Blackwell
A group of 31 prominent Vietnam veterans and others
associated with the program (list attached).
Page Two
IV. PRESS PLAN
Full press corps coverage, including television networks
and White House Photographer, and individual photo
opportunities. Leadership Program participants will
present a post-event press briefing, as well.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Morton Blackwell, Tom Pauken, and Jack Wheeler (Director
of Leadership Program) will meet you outside the Oval
Office and escort you to the Rose Garden where you will
briefly address the press and the participants, making
the key point that "Vietnam veterans are leaders.' You
will then introduce Tom Pauken who will, in turn,
introduce volunteers Sam Bartholomew and Chuck O'Brien
and VVLP Deputy Director Bill Jayne. They will very
briefly express their pride in their service of our
country in Vietnam on behalf of all the men present.
You will then greet the participants individually,
providing photo opportunities to serve as followup news
stories in the participants' local newspapers.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
JOHN BAINES:
Chairman, San Antonio VVLP; international
commercial real estate developer; U.S. Navy
Seabee--built the longest bridge in Vietnam at
the time.
SAM BARTHOLOMEW:
Chairman, Tennessee VVLP; attorney; former
legislative assistant to Senator Howard Baker;
West Point Distinguished Cadet; patrolled
Cambodian border with 4th Calvary.
KIP BECKER:
Chairman, Wilmington VVLP; Ph.D.; Assistant Dean,
Wilmington College; U.S. Army gunship pilot.
DAVID DECHANT:
Program Director, Baltimore VVLP; restaurant
manager; Marine scout; spent a total of 31 months
in Vietnam.
RICK EILERT:
Volunteer, Chicago VVLP; Marine rifleman; retired
by reason of wounds; author of two novels which
he plans to publish.
JOHN FALES, JR.
Advisor, VVLP; Employment Director, Blinded
Veterans Association; Marine forward observer;
wounded in Vietnam in 1967.
FRANCIS GUEST:
Volunteer, Tennessee VVLP; Administrator,
Tennessee GSA; Air Force in-country veteran.
WAYNE HANBY:
Program Director, Wilmington VVLP; former Justice
of the Peace; Marine rifleman; retired from
wounds received.
JIM HARTDEGEN:
Volunteer, VVLP; Arizona State Legislator;
Vietnam combat veteran.
DAVID HUFFMAN:
Program Advisor, Wilmington VVLP; blinded in
Vietnam as Marine rifleman; first blind graduate
of Delaware Law School.
BILL JAYNE:
Deputy Director, VVLP; Marine rifleman; wounded
at Khe Sanh during Tet offensive of 1968; author
of "Immigrants from the Combat Zone" appearing
in THE WOUNDED GENERATION.
DICK KOLB:
Volunteer, VVLP; Oil Scout for Tenneco Corp.
JOHN MCCAIN:
Advisor, VVLP; prisoner-of-war 1967-73; now
Vice President of Hensley Company, Phoenix.
JOCK NASH:
Volunteer, VVLP; Chief Counsel and Staff Director,
Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Senate
Committee on the Judiciary; infantry platoon
commander in Vietnam.
- 2 -
WALLACE NUNN:
Volunteer, Philadelphia VVLP; graduate of
Villanova University; is an investment banker
in Philadelphia; served in Vietnam as a heli-
copter door gunner with the 101st Airborne Division.
CHUCK O'BRIEN:
Chairman, Philadelphia VVLP; attorney; first of
group of disabled persons to top Mt. Rainier last
summer; Army platoon leader; wounded on Cambodian
border and lost part of his leg.
MAX PATTERSON:
Volunteer, VVLP; Chief of Police, Windsor,
Connecticut.
TOM PAUKEN:
Director, ACTION; enlisted in Army; served one
tour in-country as Intelligence Officer.
LUIZ SANZ:
Medical Doctor; advisor to VVLP; Georgetown
University faculty member; was Army combat medic.
BOB SEARBY:
Volunteer, VVLP; Deputy Undersecretary of Labor,
International Affairs; was with 101st Airborne in
Vietnam.
BILL STENSLAND:
Program Director, San Antonio VVLP; highly decorated;
wounded twice while serving two tours as Marine
officer.
ED TIMPERLAKE:
Deputy Director, VVLP; Naval Academy graduate;
Marine F-4 pilot.
MARK TREANOR:
Chairman, Baltimore VVLP; attorney; Annapolis
graduate; Marine rifle platoon commander with 1st
Marine Division.
JIM WEBB:
Advisor to VVLP; author of the best-selling
FIELDS OF FIRE and A SENSE OF HONOR; Marine
platoon commander; Navy Cross.
JACK WHEELER:
Director, VVLP; co-founder of Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund; attorney; co-author of THE WOUNDED
GENERATION; West Point graduate; Captain in
Vietnam.
SPECIAL GUESTS:
CHARLES HAGEL:
Deputy Administrator-designate, Veterans
Administration; squad leader in Vietnam - was
wounded twice; served with his brother in the
same squad; his brother was wounded three times.
- 3 -
SPECIAL GUESTS (cont.)
MARCIA LANDAU:
Media Director, VVLP.
HONORABLE THOMAS LOEFFLER: Congressman; strong supporter of VVLP;
responsible for San Antonio VVLP.
HONORABLE JOHN P. MURTHA: Congressman; Korean veteran who reenlisted
to serve in Vietnam.
AGENCY
1 ACTION
THE
ACTION
FOR
I
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Dear Maiselle -
Thank you for your help
Just a quick note &
with our Tuesday Nov. 10th
ceremony. You were right! and I
needn't have worried. We
are delighted That it was
a success and we appreciate
your part,
I look forward to
working with you again
My best,
Marcia
VULP
THE AGENCY ACTION FOR
ACTION
SERVICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20525
OFFICE OF
THE DIRECTOR
November 17, 1981
MEMORANDUM
To:
Morton Blackwell, Special Assistant to the President for
Public Liaison
From:
Tony Benedi, Special Assistant to the Director of ACTION
Tony Bened
Tom Pauken has asked that I contact you regarding the possibility
of obtaining 45 Presidential tie clips for the veterans who participated
in the VVLP ceremony on November 10. We would like them both as a momento
of that meeting and as a way for our men to show their support of the
President.
We appreciate your efforts and all of your help in making the
ceremony a success.
Tom should write durectly to
Joe Cangeri told Tony 11/18
PEACE CORPS
VISTA
UNIVERSITY YEAR FOR ACTION
NATIONAL CENTER FOR SERVICE LEARNING
FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM
RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM
ministration of Ronald Reagan, 1981
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 198
Commission
resides in Ann Arbor, Mich. He was born April
type, the vast majority of Vietnam veterans
13, 1939, in Los Angeles.
National Productivity Advisor
readjusted quickly after returning from
of Three Members and
Robert B. Weeden has been professor of resource
Committee
management, School of Agriculture and Land
Southeast Asia. And many of these fine
of Chairman.
Resource Management, University of Alaska,
young people here have succeeded and ex-
Executive Order 12332.
1981
since 1976. He was director of the Division of
celled in their post-war endeavors. Those
November 10, 1981
Policy Development and Planning, Office of
here with us today are outstanding exam-
today announced his inten-
the Governor, State of Alaska, in 1975-76; pro-
ples of this fact.
the following individuals to
fessor of wildlife management, University of
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATION
At the same time, however, there are
Alaska, in 1970-75; associate in wildlife, Uni-
PRODUCTIVITY ADVISORY COMM
of the Marine Mammal Com-
versity of Alaska, in 1967-70; and a game biolo-
those who found it difficult to come to grips
President also announced he
gist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, in
with problems that can be traced to their
By the authority vested in IT
designate James C. Nofziger as
1959-69. He was an instructor of zoology at
wartime experiences. The Vietnam Veter-
dent by the Constitution of
Washington State University. He was a
ans Leadership Program is designed to
States of America, and in order
member of the Alaska Environmental Advisory
fziger has a broad background and
draw volunteers from the pool of successful
in accordance with the provis:
Board and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Com-
in the zoological sciences as
Vietnam veterans in order to provide guid-
Federal Advisory Committee
mittee. He graduated from the University of
ongstanding interest in marine mat-
Massachusetts (B.Sc., 1953); the University of
ance for those with lingering problems. This
amended (5 U.S.C. App. I), a
1961 Dr. Nofziger has been an agri-
Maine (M.Sc., 1955); and the University of Brit-
volunteer, self-help program is within the
committee on strategies for inc
nsultant for commercial corporations
ish Columbia (Ph. D., 1959). He is married, has
spirit of camaraderie that has characterized
tional productivity in the United
their animal interests. Among his
three children, and resides in Fairbanks,
American veterans of every war, and it's
hereby ordered as follows:
nsulting interests is mariculture. Pre-
Alaska. He was born January 8, 1933, in Fall
was an instructor and researcher at
even more important for those who've
Section 1. Establishment. (a)
1
River, Mass.
fought in Vietnam.
tablished the National Productive
State University in 1959-61; sales
and manager of technical services,
Those of you who will be doing your part
ry Committee. The Committe
Cattle Supply Co., in Bellflower,
to make this program a success deserve a
composed of distinguished citize
1955-58; and feed commodity sales-
special thanks. I hope that every American
ed by the President, only one of
N. V. Nootbaar & Co., Pasadena,
Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
will follow your example and reach out indi-
be a full-time officer or emplo
958-59. He graduated from the Uni-
vidually to extend a helping hand, where
Federal Government.
California at Los Angeles (B.A., 1948)
needed, to all our fine Vietnam veterans.
(b) The President shall designa
ington State University (M.S., 1952;
Remarks at a Ceremony Commemorating
He is a member of the American
the Initiation of the Program.
Recognition and appreciation for all they
man from among the members {
went through is long overdue.
mittee.
Biological Sciences. He is married
November 10, 1981
in Canoga Park, Calif. He was born
We should always remember that in a
Sec. 2. Functions. (a) The Com
1923, in Bakersfield, Calif.
hostile world, a nation's future is only as
advise the President and the S
On this eve of Veterans Day in 1981, we
MacCallum is an analomist and
meet to inaugurate a program that's aimed
certain as the devotion of its defenders, and
the Treasury through the Cabir
and has retained an active interest
at helping a group of veterans who have
the nation must be as loyal to them as they
on Economic Affairs on th
ecology of the southern and cen-
are to the nation.
Government's role in achiev
never received the thanks they deserved
coastal regions, an area of study
for their extraordinary courage and dedica-
This program is one way of expressing
levels of national productivity ar
he began as an undergraduate
ic growth.
tion. A long, dragged-out tragedy, Vietnam,
the Kerckhoff Marine Biology Lab-
our commitment not only to Vietnam veter-
ewport Beach, Calif. Since 1975 Dr.
divided our Nation and damaged America's
ans but to all those who now serve our
(b) The Committee shall advis
self-image. And part of that tragedy, a
dent, the Secretary of the Treas
has been an associate professor of
country in the military. So, thanks to all of
University of Michigan Medical
major part, was the sacrifice by men who
President's Task Force on Regula
you for participating in this fine effort. I
fought as bravely as any American fighting
with respect to the potential im
since 1973, associate professor of
think you're going to find your fellow citi-
biology), University of Michigan.
men have ever fought. Millions of young
tional productivity of Federal la
zens will want to help.
ulations.
esearch scientist, Laboratory of Bio-
Americans, when they were called upon,
Now, Tom Pauken.
National Institute of Dental Re-
did their duty and demonstrated courage
(c) The Committee shall advis
Bethesda, Md., in 1977-78; as-
and dedication in the finest tradition of the
closely with the Cabinet Coun
Note: The President spoke at 11:48 a.m. at
ofessor of anatomy, University of
American military in a war they were not
nomic Affairs (composed of the
Medical School, in 1969-73; and as-
the ceremony in the Rose Garden at the
allowed to win.
of the Treasury, State, Comme
fessorial lecturer in anatomy, George
White House.
I want to express appreciation, on behalf
and Transportation, the United S
University School of Medicine, in
The Program is a new Federal initiative,
of all Americans, to these veterans who are
Representative, the Chairman ol
le is an instructor, researcher, and
here today, not only for their service during
begun at the beginning of this fiscal year
cil of Economic Advisers, and the
anatomy. He graduated from
the war but for their continued voluntary
and administered by ACTION. The remarks
of the Office of Management an
(B.A., 1961) and the Universi-
service to their comrades in arms and to
of Thomas W. Pauken, Director of ACTION,
the Assistant to the President for
California (M.S., 1964; Ph. D.,
is married, has two children, and
the Nation. Contrary to an unjust stereo-
were not included in the White House press
velopment, and other governme
release
the President may deem appropr
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
now.11
VOLUNTEER VETS
Action boss Thomas Pauken is mak-
ing ambitious plans for a new project, the Vietnam Veterans Lead-
ership Program, which will enlist vets who have become "recognized
community leaders" to help other former GIs find jobs and take ad-
vantage of public and private programs for their benefit. The project
will be strictly volunteer, Pauken says, with a single paid coordinator
in each of the 50 cities where it will operate. The program will com-
plement, but not overlap, the Veterans' Administration's Out-
reach Centers, Action officials say. Plans call for opening the first vol-
unteer centers with great hoopla on Veterans' Day. Pauken is trying
to get President Reagan to cut the ribbon. Wash. past 10/2/81
Marria Landan
Copies to:
EHD
Red
254 - 8270 254 -
Diana Lozano
Morton Blackwell
Charlotte Ellis
TomSholl
THE WHITE HOUSE
Events File
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
10/27/81
TC:
RED CAVANEY *****
FROM: GREGORY 50 NEWELL
SUBJ: APPROVED PRESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY
PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING AND NOTIFY AND CLEAR ALL
PARTICIPANTS. THE BRIEFING PAPER AND REMARKS SHOULD BE
SUBMITTED TO RICHARD DARMAN BY 3 P.M. OF THE PRECEDING DAY.
MEETING:
Announcement of Vietnam Veterans Leadership
Program
DATE:
November 10, 1981
11:45 am
TIME:
15 mins
DURATION:
LOCATION:
Oval Office
Rose garden
Yes
REMARKS REQUIRED:
Coordinate with Press Office
MEDIA COVERAGE:
FIRST LADY
PARTICIPATION: NO
REMARKS REQUIRED
***** Coordinate with Craig Fuller
CC: M. Brandon
J. Parr
R. Darman
B. Shaddix
D. Fischer
L. Speakes
M. Friedersdorf
Speechwriting and Research
C. Fuller
S. Studdert
C. Gerrard
N. Wormser
E. Hickey
WHCA Audic/Visual
P. McCoy
WHCA Operations
L. Nofziger
THE WHITE HOUSE
AUG : 1031
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
5 AUGUST 1981
TO:
TOM PAUKEN, DIRECTOR, ACTION
FROM: GREGORY J. SENELL, DIRECTOR
PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS AND SCHEDULING
THE PRESIDENT'S
PROGRAM
SUBJ: ANNOUNCEMENT OF/VIETNAM VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROJECT.
Please be advised that the Presidential
Appointments and Scheduling Office has
received your request from Dave Gergen,
and we are penciling it in tentatively
in November.
We will get back to you as the date
draws nearer.
CC: David Gergen
Jack,
F.Y.I
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Richard Schweiker
for the Cabinet Council on Human Resources
SUBJECT: Decision on Proposed ACTION Program for Vietnam Veterans
At a meeting on June 9, 1981, the Human Resources Cabinet Council,
with the Vice President's concurrence, approved an outreach
program for Vietnam Veterans proposed by Thomas Pauken, Director
of ACTION. The program would encourage able and successful
Vietnam veterans to serve in their communities as volunteers to
help fellow Vietnam veterans with lingering problems associated
with their military service. The proposal is endorsed by the
Human Resources Secretariat and the Office of Management and
Budget.
The ACTION program will complement the already existing federal,
local, and private veterans programs, and place particular
emphasis on working closely with the Veterans Administration and
the traditional veterans organizations.
The program will begin with a pilot phase in some four or five
test communities which will last long enough to assure effective-
ness.
Assuming a successful pilot phase, the operational phase will
proceed in some 50 communities under a national project director
and a local ACTION director in each community. Cost for the
pilot phase is estimated at under $200,000, now funded by ACTION.
The operational phase is estimated at $2 million per year from
direct budget authority and appropriation to ACTION, and/or fund
transfers from other federal agencies which have an interest in
veterans.
The ACTION Program would be planned to end in late 1983 or
early 1984 with the continuing flow of volunteers to be handled
by existing agencies and programs.
RECOMMENDATION: The Human Resources Cabinet Council unanimously
recommends that implementation of the ACTION program be given
high visibility with participation by the President and senior
Administration officials.
DECISION:
approve
approve as amended
reject
no action
AJTON
DA
ACTION
20525
OFFICE OF
:H: DIRECTOR
July 30, 1981
MEMORANDUM
To:
Dave Gergen, Assistant to the President for Communications
From:
Tom Pauken, Director, ACTION Jon Pauliern
Subject: Announcement of Vietnam Veterans Leadership Project
The President has approved ACTION's new Vietnam Veterans Leadership
Project. See attached PDM.
The Project recruits Vietnam Veterans who successfully made the
transition back to civilian life to serve as volunteers to help fellow
Vietnam Veterans who have lingering problems associated with their military
service. The program is starting in five cities; with fifty by the end of
1982; for about $50,000 per city.
Rocky Bleier, Jim Webb, and Chuck O 'Brien are a few of the well-known
Victnam Veterans who have agreed to help the project. Roger Staubach and
A1 Bumbry should be on board soon.
Recommendation:
President announces project in Oval Office around Veterans Day
(Eednesday, November 11th) with Bleier, et al., looking on. Proclamation.
Photo opportunity. Out the door.
All we need right now is OK to plan on Veterans Day announcement.
PI ACC cours
VISTA
UNIVERSITY YEAR FOR AC
IN
NATIONAL CENTER For SERVICE
ARNING
NIOR
LUNTEL PROGRAM
SENIOR COMPALION RAN
Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
SOLDIER
I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go, and did what others
failed to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly
accepted the thought of eternal loneliness should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear;
and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.
I have cried, pained, and hoped
but most of all,
I have lived times others would say were best forgotten.
At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of
what I was a soldier.
George L. Skypeck
Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
THE VIETNAM VETERANS LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM/ACTION
HEARING
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
ACTION
OF THE
806 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20525
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
(202) 254-8270
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program would like to thank
George Skypeck, a friend and artist, for his creativity and interest
NINETY-SEVENTH CONGRESS
in our program and the Disabled American Veterans for making his
FIRST SESSION
artwork available for the cover.
The Vietnam War sundered the generation that came of age in the
OCTOBER 22, 1981
1960s. The leaders among the many able women and among the men
who had no military service began to emerge during the late 1970s.
Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Now the leaders from the other part of the generation, the ones who
served and came back, are making themselves felt. They are helping
Serial No. 97-42
the ones who still carry heavy burdens from wartime service, for our
Vietnam Veterans are a national resource. We need them.
John P. Wheeler III
National Director, VVLP
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
86-489 o
WASHINGTON : 1981
CONTENTS
Page
The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program/ACTION
1
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
STATEMENTS BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
G. V. (SONNY) MONTGOMERY, Mississippi, Chairman
Chairman Edgar
1
DON EDWARDS, California
JOHN PAUL HAMMERSCHMIDT, Arkansas
GEORGE E. DANIELSON, California
MARGARET M. HECKLER, Massachusetts
WITNESSES
JACK BRINKLEY, Georgia
CHALMERS P. WYLIE, Ohio
RONALD M. MOTTL, Ohio
ELWOOD HILLIS, Indiana
Pauken, Thomas W., ACTION Director
2
ROBERT W. EDGAR, Pennsylvania
HAROLD S. SAWYER, Michigan
Prepared statement of Mr. Pauken
31
SAM B. HALL, JR., Texas
GERALD B. SOLOMON, New York
Wheeler, John P., director, Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
7
DOUGLAS APPLEGATE, Ohio
JIM JEFFRIES, Kansas
O'Brien, Charles L., volunteer, ACTION Vietnam Veterans Leadership
MARVIN LEATH, Texas
BOB McEWEN, Ohio
Program
6
WILLIAM HILL BONER, Tennessee
JIM DUNN, Michigan
RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama
CHRIS H. SMITH, New Jersey
MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD
DAN MICA, Florida
ALBERT LEE SMITH, Alabama
THOMAS A. DASCHLE, South Dakota
DENNY SMITH, Oregon
Article: 1979 "Vietnam Vets: Tomorrow's Leaders", the Washington Post, Nov. 12,
BOB STUMP, Arizona
MARK D. SILJANDER, Michigan
51
PHIL GRAMM, Texas
Review: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
53
AUSTIN J. MURPHY, Pennsylvania
BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota
(III)
ANTONIO B. WON PAT, Guam
MACK G. FLEMING, Chief Counsel and Staff Director
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
ROBERT W. EDGAR, Pennsylvania, Chairman
DON EDWARDS, California
MARGARET M. HECKLER, Massachusetts
MARVIN LEATH, Texas
CHALMERS P. WYLIE, Ohio
WILLIAM HILL BONER, Tennessee
JIM JEFFRIES, Kansas
THOMAS A. DASCHLE, South Dakota
DENNY SMITH, Oregon
PHIL GRAMM, Texas
MARK D. SILJANDER, Michigan
(II)
THE VIETNAM VETERANS LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM/ACTION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1981
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS,
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT,
Washington, D.C.
The subcommittee met at 9:05 a.m., in room 334, Cannon House
Office Building; Hon. Robert W. Edgar (chairman of the subcom-
mittee) presiding.
Present: Representatives Edgar, Boner, Daschle, Gramm, and
Jeffries.
OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN EDGAR
Mr. EDGAR. Good morning.
The Subcommittee on Education, Training and Employment will
come to order.
I want to apologize for being a few minutes late this morning. I
started out pretty early this morning from Fairfax County, Va., by
foot, and I ran a little slower this morning than normal.
The purpose of today's hearing will be to review this program
and goals of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, adminis-
tered by the ACTION agency. The Vietnam Veterans Leadership
Program is a new concept, designed to promote volunteer efforts
across the Nation in supporting both the well-being and the image
of Vietnam-era veterans.
The subcommittee is encouraged that the administration appears
to be taking a very positive step with the program. The American
people are only just beginning to appreciate the very special cir-
cumstances surrounding the service and sacrifice of the Vietnam-
era veterans.
I would hope that the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
can be both a tool and a signal by the administration of its willing-
ness to support a wide range of programs and assistance for those
who served during our last and longest war.
The Congress in the past few years has only just begun to re-
spond to the needs of many Vietnam veterans who are still experi-
encing difficulty reentering the mainstream of society.
The Center for Policy Research in New York, in a study mandat-
ed by the Congress, reported last spring that up to 800,000 Viet-
nam-era veterans are still experiencing some difficulty readjusting
to civilian life.
The problems experienced by many of the Vietnam veterans are
caused by a variety of sociological, economic, and psychological
factors. The Federal Government is fully responsible for their
(1)
2
3
needs and targeting special assistance and programs to help ease
I appreciate also very much Congressman Jeffries and my good
this transition to civilian life.
friend and fellow Texan, Congressman Gramm, taking the time out
I am very pleased that last Friday the Senate gave its final
of their busy schedule to be with us this morning.
approval to H.R. 3499, legislation calling for a wide range of assist-
I appreciate very much having the opportunity to testify on the
ance for Vietnam-era veterans, from readjustment counseling serv-
new Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program.
ices to employment and small business opportunities.
My name is Tom Pauken. As you mentioned, Mr. Chairman, I'm
The legislation is on its way to the President's desk, and I trust
the Director, since May of this year, of ACTION, the national
he will sign it into law soon.
volunteer agency.
However, the Congress, especially in an era of tight budgets, can
ACTION, as you know, is the agency in charge of the Vietnam
only target assistance to those with the most need. Many Vietnam
veterans have severe readjustment problems, but it must be clearly
Veterans Leadership Program.
stated the majority of Vietnam veterans, the vast majority, have
With me today, as previously mentioned, are John P. Wheeler,
returned to their homes and families and businesses, able and
a West Point graduate and Vietnam veteran, who is the Director of
eager to be a great credit to their service and to the American
the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, and also Charles
O'Brien, Vietnam veteran of outstanding service in that conflict and
society.
Thirty-one Members of Congress alone served during the Viet-
the person who will be serving as volunteer chairman of our Vietnam
nam era, and their numbers are growing with every election.
Veterans Leadership Program in Philadelphia in your home State,
It is my understanding that the Vietnam Veterans Leadership
Mr. Chairman. All of us are Vietnam veterans.
Program is designed to tap that resource through individual volun-
I hope to accomplish a number of things in a brief period of time
teer efforts of Vietnam veterans helping Vietnam veterans in the
this morning. First of all, I would like to describe the program,
private sector.
what it is, as well as what it is not. I will describe it both in terms
This program is a new program, in the early stages of develop-
of why and how it was designed, what its scope is, how it works or
ment. In any case, following a mandate of this committee, we are
is intended to work, and who will be making it work.
anxious to hear a report today on its design and eager to follow its
Next, I would like to focus on our plans as they relate to support-
development in the months ahead.
ing employment and training programs for Vietnam veterans.
This hearing today is only the first in a series of hearings being
While I intend to keep my remarks brief, I would like to ask, as
planned by the subcommittee which will be designed to highlight
you have already mentioned, that a copy of our leadership pro-
individual and corporate efforts in the private sector, designed to
gram's operation plan, in addition to my opening statement as well
assist Vietnam-era veterans. While maintaining our strong backing
as a set of biographies representative of some of the people that are
for Government and Federal assistance, more should be done in
already committed to being involved in the Vietnam Veteran Lead-
that area as well.
ership Program, be entered into the record of this hearing.
I would like to welcome our witnesses this morning.
This new program, which is just starting this month, has been
And also, I would like to say a word of thanks to two Members of
planned to be, above all else, a volunteer program. I believe it will
Congress who have taken the time to be with us in the committee
be seen in years to come as one that exemplifies the finest sense of
hearing this morning.
what voluntarism is all about.
Our witnesses this morning are Mr. Thomas Pauken, Director of
ACTION, accompanied by Mr. John Wheeler, Director of the Viet-
As I think the members of the committee know, the President is
nam Veterans Leadership Program; and Mr. Charles O'Brien, vol-
emphasizing very strongly the importance of volunteer initiatives
unteer, Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program in Philadelphia,
in solving some of our present problems of our society. I think that
Pennsylvania.
in this program-and I would hope that most of you would agree-
Welcome, gentlemen. It is a pleasure to have you here this
that the Federal Government initially can play an appropriate as
morning. The full text of your statement will be made a part of the
well as vital role.
record, and we invite you to proceed as you see fit.¹
What we will be doing in this program is to provide the seed
money to merger private sector leadership and private sector as-
STATEMENT OF THOMAS W. PAUKEN, DIRECTOR OF ACTION;
sumption of responsibility in answering a real need. It is Govern-
ACCOMPANIED BY JOHN P. WHEELER, DIRECTOR, VIETNAM
ment once again helping local people help their neighbors help
VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AND CHARLES L.
themselves; and in this sense, it's a group of people who share a
O'BRIEN, VOLUNTEER, ACTION VIETNAM VETERANS LEADER-
common bond based on our service in Vietnam, helping some of
SHIP PROGRAM
those of our fellow veterans who are still having problems associat-
Mr. PAUKEN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate
ed with their Vietnam experience.
very much your opening remarks and the supportive comments
Before getting into the specifics of what the leadership program
concerning the concept of Vietnam veterans serving as volunteers
is all about, let's look at what it is not. It is not a new grand
to help their fellow veterans in need.
scheme with a price tag running into tens of millions of dollars.
Neither is it designed to create or perpetuate a brandnew mammoth,
1 See p. 31.
Federal bureaucratic structure.
4
Speaking personally, the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
5
had its genesis as an idea, that I had, at a meeting that I happened
to attend in Dallas some 2 years ago. At that time the mayor of the
Approximately 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam and, as
city had a special day honoring Vietnam veterans. I happened to be
is to be expected from such a large group, many have excelled in
on the invite list.
the professions, business, labor, academic, and artistic pursuits. It
When I got down there, I looked around the room and I saw a
is from this large, diverse, and respected pool of veterans that the
tremendous number of people I knew, successful people in a variety
Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program will draw its volunteers.
of professions, in business, and in labor. One of the things that I
These are the people that will make this program work.
found intriguing was that, although I knew many of them in a
To emphasize that Vietnam veterans constitute a great national
professional capacity, I had never realized that they, like myself,
reservoir of leadership, an essential reservoir and resource for the
had served in Vietnam.
future, is not to deny that some Vietnam veterans do face very signif-
I thought to myself, if you could ever get that caliber of people
icant and real problems, principal of which are unemployment and
together, if you could ever get a group of successful people with so
underemployment.
many resources and so much talent, in a particular community
How well do our volunteers seek to help? First, it must be noted
pulling together to help some of our fellow veterans, we would be
that this program is not conceived as a panacea to all the lingering
able to make an enormous amount of difference. That is basically
ills faced by each and every veteran, for there are many different
the concept of trying to pull together Vietnam veterans who are
problems and so many different needs and agencies that are al-
leaders already to help some of their fellow veterans by volunteer-
ready working in a number of areas. We must recognize that there
ing in a variety of fashions to help make a difference in the lives of
are some individual problems that simply, if regrettably, are
some people that need some assistance.
intractable.
This program is not a program that will inadvertently increase
Our volunteers will not provide one-on-one counseling service
the dependency of the veterans of the Vietnam war. Its entire
that would overlap the services already provided by the Veterans'
emphasis is on generating a self-sufficient attitude among those
Administration, veterans' service organizations and, in some in-
few men and women with lingering problems from the war. It is
stances, community-based organizations. Rather, our volunteers
not another program entirely dependent upon Washington for our
will work with employers, government executives, leaders of chari-
success. Our agency, ACTION, has only a very limited role, a role I
table and philanthropic organizations and others in an effort to
will describe to you in just a few moments. It is not another one-on-
complement the services provided by these and other agencies. Our
one counseling program. It complements and does not conflict with
volunteers will also encourage Vietnam veterans to make full use
existing veterans' programs nor does it duplicate those already in
of all the services provided by the different groups concerned for
business.
their welfare.
To insure proper coordination we have been meeting with and
This, in addition to the direct benefits, such as convincing em-
intend on a regular basis to continue to meet with the Administra-
ployers to make a significant commitment to hire Vietnam veter-
tor of the Veterans' Administration and his staff.
ans, our volunteers will be in a position to point the way to some of
Finally, and very importantly, it is not another never-ending
our fellow veterans who have not yet made a successful readjust-
Federal program with a self-perpetuating bureaucracy. We see this
ment from their Vietnam service.
as a program that ought to be up and running and on its way the
Interestingly enough, even before this program was underway,
next 2½ years, and we see it as a program, in terms of the Federal
ACTION had participated in a Vetathon in one city, which resulted
involvement, that should be phased out and picked up exclusively by
in 300 job offers to Vietnam veterans.
private voluntary support by 1984.
Since the mandate given to volunteers is broad and because each
Now, let's talk about a few specifics of the program. The Leader-
program will be community-specific, the first step is a needs assess-
ship Program is a community-based effort that depends upon the
ment that will catalog and establish priorities as to the needs of
energy, responsibility and, most importantly, the creative intelli-
the local Vietnam veteran population. The study will also identify
gent leadership of local Vietnam veterans as volunteers, in the
the resources available to those veterans. From there, we will
true sense of the word "volunteer." They are non-stipended volun-
develop a specific leadership program. We have at this time, begin-
teers. The community based VVLP will be managed by a local
ning just this month, the pilot phase of the program in Baltimore,
volunteer chairman and a paid project director, both of whom will
Md.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and San Antonio, Tex. We will shortly
be Vietnam veterans. Volunteers will operate at the appropriate
begin in Wilmington, Del., and Nashville, Tenn.
social, economic, and political levels of the community necessary to
Already many Vietnam veterans, both through organizations as
help ameliorate the lingering problems of their fellow Vietnam
well as individually, are contacting our office about participation in
veterans.
this program. Already we estimate that 300 to 500 hours of volun-
I think it is important to identify one of the program's guiding
teer time has been provided. We hope to expand the program once
principles: that is that the vast majority of Vietnam veterans, as
the initial demonstration programs are underway and would like to
you pointed out in your opening remarks, Mr. Chairman, are re-
be, by the end of this coming fiscal year, in some 50 communities
sponsible, hard-working members of their communities.
across the country.
I have provided in my written statement some additional infor-
mation about the program. But I think, to summarize the overview
6
7
of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, the President and
Pepper, Hamilton & Sheetz. I spent 3 years as an associate before
ACTION believe it is time to tap the enormous resource available
Dick Thornburgh was elected Governor of Pennsylvania, at which
in successful Vietnam veterans who stand ready with proper en-
point I was invited to join the Thornburgh administration as chief
couragement to come forward to help their fellow veterans who
counsel for the Department of Commerce. I served approximately
still have lingering problems associated with Vietnam service. That
1½ years, at which point I returned to Pepper, Hamilton & Sheetz,
is what this program is designed to do.
splitting my week between the firm's Harrisburg and Philadelphia
In addition, I must say that I have been distressed since the time
offices.
I returned from Vietnam, to see the image of the Vietnam veterans
My point in providing that summary is to indicate that I have
portrayed as losers, fools, or dope addicts. Now, there is an addi-
had very little to do with veterans' affairs. I have been very busy
tional new mythology-it is Vietnam veterans as guilt-ridden vic-
developing a law practice, and I am a little ashamed of the fact
tims, ashamed of their service. I think that it is important to
that I have neglected my fellow Vietnam veterans.
recognize that more than 80 percent of the Vietnam veterans, even
I am here today because, as Mr. Pauken has correctly pointed
with enormous difficulties, have come home and have made the
out, there is a common thread, and that thread is our service in
successful transition back to civilian life. They are doing well. I
think that we need to help some of those successful Vietnam
Vietnam. I think it taps something that is characteristic of Viet-
veterans help restore a sense of pride and self-worth to all veter-
nam veterans, and that is the spirit of voluntarism and dedication
ans. This will be accomplished by mobilizing this massive body of
and devotion to duty. I believe that the same forces that caused
successful veterans as volunteers to help those who still need a
persons to serve honorably in Vietnam will cause them to emerge
hand.
and assist in this program.
In this small way, we who did return can help fulfill our debt to
In fact, that has been our experience in Philadelphia. We have
those who did not.
no problem in identifying Vietnam veterans who are successful in
I see that Congressman Boner has just arrived. We had a very
all areas of the private sector. We have learned that they are very
interesting group of Vietnam veterans from Nashville up recently.
anxious to assist us in any way they can.
These men were responsible for putting together an outstanding
Our organization is still being formed, but it is very promising,
Vietnam veterans recognition day. Congressman Boner, they are
and I am encouraged by the support we received through the
very interested in establishing such a program in your community.
ACTION offices, specifically from Jack Wheeler. And I am gratified
They have already been at work in forming a VVLP and we look
at the interest that has already been demonstrated by the employ-
forward to working with them.
ers in the Philadelphia area with whom we have had initial con-
At this time, I would like to introduce a person that I have
tact.
gotten to know in the past few months, an outstanding individual,
I really have nothing more to say, but I thank you very much for
a person who is a perfect example of what this is all about, a man
this time.
who is taking a day out of his busy week, Chuck O'Brien, chairman
Mr. EDGAR. Mr. Wheeler, do you have anything you want to add
of our Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program in Philadelphia.
before we move to questions?
Chuck O'Brien served honorably and well in Vietnam and has
signed on again as a volunteer to head the program in the city of
STATEMENT OF JOHN P. WHEELER, DIRECTOR, VIETNAM
Philadelphia.
VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Chuck, would you take it from here? I believe he has a statement
also to make to the committee.
Mr. WHEELER. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
I think you can tell from the comments of Mr. Pauken and Mr.
STATEMENT OF CHARLES L. O'BRIEN, VOLUNTEER, ACTION
O'Brien that the resource of men who returned to the country from
VIETNAM VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Vietnam who have established themselves in their professions is a
Mr. O'BRIEN. Thank you very much, Tom.
very strong one.
Mr. O'Brien mentioned that his vocation is law. I know that
It is critical now that I don't appear like a dope addict or a loser,
or one of the guilt-ridden victims of that era.
yours, Mr. Chairman, has been in the ministry, so I think you
I am honored to be here with Mr. Pauken and Mr. Wheeler. I
especially could well understand that when there is an event like
welcome the opportunity to provide some thoughts to you. I am
the Vietnam war with the way it affected our country that even 10
here not only because I am a Vietnam veteran; I am here because
years later there could be a lot of unfinished business and a lot of
I was successful in my efforts to reenter the mainstream. That suc-
attention that needs to be given to problems which are hard to
cess can be attributed to the strength and support of my family,
understand.
programs that are available to disabled veterans, and good luck-
I am convinced that this program, as approved by the President
just plain good fortune.
and managed directly by Tom, is an important thread in the fabric
Specifically, I lost a leg in Vietnam. I was able, through the
that we are trying to weave to heal the wounds and tend to the
Veterans' Administration programs, to attend law school. Upon
unfinished business of the war.
graduation from law school, I joined a very fine Philadelphia law
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you for your statement.
firm that I am sure that Congressman Edgar is familiar with-
9
8
Mr. BONER. I would understand it, Mr. Chairman, if it would be
Without objection, all of the attachments that you have attached
veterans, if it was the Washington Redskins, because they always
to your statement will be made a part of the record.¹
get beat up on. [Laughter.]
Congressman Jeffries had to leave, and he apologized, but he had
Mr. EDGAR. I appreciate that. And Congressman, I think 15,000
a conflict in his schedule.
people gathered to honor Vietnam veterans is a commendable
I have a number of detailed questions that I would like to get
achievement and one that you might want to consider not only
into, but as a matter of courtesy, I would like to yield to my
repeating but reminding some of your colleagues about.
colleague from Texas, Mr. Gramm, and then to my colleague from
Mr. BONER. Mr. Chairman, and Tom, I must also apologize. In a
Tennessee, Mr. Boner, for their questions. Because there are so few
few minutes I have to leave. I have another committee to go to. But
of us, I will let them question until they are finished their round of
I will read your remarks and be sure and analyze them.
questioning, and then we will come back. I will try to pick up on
Mr. WHEELER. Congressman Boner, I would like to say that I was
some of the details that I would like to cover.
at that celebration in Nashville which is where we met. It was a
Congressman Gramm?
few hours after that that I realized on the airplane going back that
Mr. GRAMM. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't have any ques-
Tennessee is called the Volunteer State, and you sure had con-
tions, but I would like to make a comment. I am fond, in my
vinced me of it by the time I went back.
political speechmaking back home, of reminding people that spend-
Mr. BONER. Thank you. It was a great event, and we were real
ing more money can't turn a bad idea into a good idea. I think
proud to have it in Nashville.
what we see here, and I have to tell you that having sat in this
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you. I would like to get into a round of
committee and the two others on which I serve, and to listen to a
questioning, first, on the question of your budget. Some of the
lot of bad ideas come forward demanding more money and hoping
documents which you have provided have been very helpful. I
that through the expenditure of money that they can be trans-
wonder if we could turn to attachment A of the program phase of
formed into good ones, that it pleases me a great deal to see a good
idea come forward on the strength of the idea and on the strength
funding cycles-and it is a little hard to read-but trying to get a
of voluntarism.
handle on some of the numbers that I see on that page. I will give
I just want to say that I look forward as a member of this
you a moment to see if you can find it. It is attachment A after
committee to working with you in any way I can to see that your
"Budget for VVLP."
program is successful.
Mr. PAUKEN. I have it. Now understand that what we provided
I would like to say, Tom, I'm glad to see you in Washington
the committee was-I think it is clearly set forth, a draft docu-
working on programs like this. I just simply commit to you in your
ment, a working document, but I know that you wanted some
effort to try to make your programs related to veterans and the
information, so we wanted to provide you with a full explanation of
program of ACTION, in general, work. I am willing to do anything I can
the initial draft and, in fact, I think at the outset it says this is a
to help you in that effort.
draft. Substantial changes are likely, but we wanted to provide you
Mr. PAUKEN. Thank you very much, Congressman.
with the information. There will be some changes with the coordi-
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you. Congressman Boner?
nation of the other agencies of our fiscal year 1982 budget, but I
Mr. BONER. Mr. Chairman, I have no questions, except, Tom, I
think it will give you at least a basic beginning point.
also want to say that we're going to do everything we can to
Mr. EDGAR. I appreciate that. I'm trying to get some handles on
support your efforts. I understand that there is a good possibility
what will be the total amount of Federal expenditure through 1984
that you'll be establishing a program in Tennessee. I've talked to, I
when the program is phased out. Is it the figure at the bottom of
believe, Sam Bartholemew, who will be involved in that. And I
this attachment A?
made some remarks in the House yesterday that if I'm not mistak-
Mr. PAUKEN. No; it's a total of approximately $6 million that will
en, about 3 weeks ago, Mr. Chairman, we had-3 or 4 weeks ago we
be involved, or $6.5 million at max.
had the Vietnam Memorial Day in Nashville, Tenn., which drew
Mr. EDGAR. I wasn't sure what that figure is. Does anyone know?
about 15,000 people, and to my knowledge, that has been the larg-
Mr. WHEELER. This table was assembled in order for us to tag
est assembly of an event like this in the country.
dollars to the cost of each of our leadership programs in each city
Mr. PAUKEN. That is what I understand.
as the cities come in. It is a table that is an effort to show for
Mr. BONER. And it was beautiful weather and a beautiful day
planning purposes how the phasing of each of the different pro-
and was just really something to see that many people to come out,
grams will affect the total outlay of dollars.
as we had a real exciting day to honor the veterans. It was a very
Mr. EDGAR. So that figure is $50,000 per city per year.
emotional day, as well. So we are going to do all we can to help you
Mr. PAUKEN. Right, approximately. Each project would be funded
in Tennessee.
over, say, a 3-year period. The total funding per project would be
Mr. PAUKEN. Thank you, Congressman.
approximately $50,000 per 12 months. It is $50,000 per project, but
Mr. EDGAR. We only have that many veterans come together at
with the phase-in period of time, it will work out to less than
Veterans' Stadium to watch the Eagles play. [Laughter.]
$150,000 total.
Mr. EDGAR. Now if it is $50,000-
¹See p. 46.
10
11.
Mr. WHEELER. Could I interject something, Mr. Chairman, on
al and bookkeeping as well as administrative people on salary to
this issue?
keep the volunteer efforts rolling, at least initially.
Mr. EDGAR. Yes.
Mr. PAUKEN. Right. But we are keeping it a very low-the
Mr. WHEELER. The numbers you see footed at the bottom of each
$50,000 is designed to cover the salary of the project director, a
of those two charts are what we call funding units. The page before
secretary and a part-time assistant, where needed. Office facilities
explains what they are. The principal terms of funding for the
are being donated in some instances.
program is that the full cost for 12 months for each of our VVLP's,
Mr. EDGAR. Does the State chairman get any funds?
for example, the Philadelphia VVLP is $50,000. Now what we had
Mr. PAUKEN. The volunteer chairman, no. It is volunteer. Exam-
to plan for, though, was what our total dollars necessary will be for
ples are Charles O'Brien who is taking time out of his law practice,
each fiscal year that was coming up. So what we did was count up
and John Baines in San Antonio, Tex., who is successful in the real
for how many months we would have each VVLP. The task was to
estate business.
recognize that, for example, Philadelphia and Wilmington and
Mr. EDGAR. Are there any travel funds contemplated?
Nashville would start rather early this year. Some other cities
Mr. PAUKEN. There will be some travel funds as part of that
might start later. Thus, in a given fiscal year in a given city we
might not need all of the $50,000.
$50,000 budget and some travel funds associated with the Vietnam
So the table represents a planning technique where we used a
veterans at ACTION who will be running the program. Jack
figure called a funding unit, that is, one VVLP in operation for 1
Wheeler, Bill Jayne, and Ed Timperlake, as well as the Vietnam
year, and the footings represent "VVLP years", so to speak.
veterans who are providing the needs assessment, but I doubt there
Mr. EDGAR. It was just hard to read it, and I just wanted to get a
will be extensive travel.
clarification of that.
Mr. EDGAR. I think your figures are quite realistic. I was the
On page 4 of the testimony you say that:
founder of the service called the People's Emergency Center that
ACTION will be providing grants of approximately $50,000 each to each program
operated with just a little bit of paid staff and a lot of volunteers,
primarily to provide for the salary of the project director and a secretary-bookkeep-
sheltering women and families in the city of Philadelphia. It still
er. Thus the total cost will be approximately $2 million per year through the end of
operates on Chestnut Street. We worked extensively with volunteer
the fiscal year 1984, at which time the federal role in the program will be complet-
ed.
programs through the Red Cross and through volunteer action
teams that we trained. It will be interesting, I think, to have you
If I add up 50 programs at $50,000 apiece, that comes to $2.5
back next September and to analyze how well your guesstimates
million. Are you indicating that because of the phase in, you won't
are as to what it will cost to meet your needs and what the
need the additional funds?
differentiation will be between Federal and local support for that
Mr. PAUKEN. That is correct.
funding.
Mr. EDGAR. So we're looking at about $2 million of commitment
each year between now and 1984?
One of the things we discovered with the People's Emergency
Mr. PAUKEN. That's right.
Center-we had very optimistic goals in the beginning to try to
Mr. EDGAR. A total of $6 million?
find certain foundation funding sources within 3 years. One of the
Mr. PAUKEN. That's right.
things we learned we didn't do well, was that from day 1 we begin
Mr. EDGAR. Now of that figure, ACTION is going to provide to
to think about where those funding sources would come from. We
Chuck, what will be provided by the private sector?
got so involved in administering the program and developing the
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, this is going to depend upon how successful
volunteers and doing the training, that we found ourselves halfway
the projects are, but I know that Chuck O'Brien-and he may want
through year 2 before we recognized that we were only going to
to address it-has already been communicating with people in the
have 1 more year of funding, and then we didn't really start
private sector about supporting the program. Although currently I
planning for that funding until year 3. We found ourselves needing
think it is hard to make a judgment at this time as to specific
to sustain a little more contribution from United Way and the
dollar amounts. I can tell you that I do believe that for a small
United Fund in the Philadelphia area, and we had to find a few
amount of money we will be recruiting a significant number of
more churches that had poor funds but didn't have any poor people
volunteers, and I think those should be considered as dollars, if not
and gather their resources to continue the program.
more valuable than dollars. These are the first months of the
The program is still in operation, and it will be important prob-
program, and I think that in about 6 months we can give you a
ably by the second year to have in mind some pretty good idea as
figure that this program started in Philadelphia in October, and
to how much private help you can depend upon, so that whatever
these are how many volunteers we have, how many man-hours
salaries are involved in this can be picked up.
have already been put in of that particular program and how much
Mr. PAUKEN. That is a very appropriate comment. One of the
private financial support has been provided. Our initial emphasis
reasons we want to make it abundantly clear going in that this
will be on volunteer man-hours, and secondarily the private sector
program in terms of its Federal role is phased out in 1984, is so
support we think will follow.
that the individual programs will understand from the beginning
Mr. EDGAR. But in order to make any successful volunteer effort,
they have to plan for our phase out. I think you are right. You
I think you are wise to suggest that you will need certain secretari-
need to monitor that all the way through.
12
13
Mr. EDGAR. Could you briefly explain the administrative struc-
Federal Government using veterans service organizations. The
ture of this program? How many on the staff will be paid Federal
American Legion alone amassed nearly 3 million hours of volun-
employees? Is a small professional staff assigned to the national
teer effort last year, saving the Federal Government millions of
program director?
dollars in volunteer contributions.
Mr. PAUKEN. Jack Wheeler is the national program director. He
Will there be any attempt to plug into that volunteer effort, as
is at ACTION headquarters and came over from the Securities and
well, for referrals, and for other kinds of services?
Exchange Commission. The two deputies are Bill Jayne, who was a
Mr. PAUKEN. Absolutely. I myself am a member both of the Ameri-
marine at Khe Sanh, and Ed Timperlake, who was a marine F-4
can Legion as well as the VFW. We already have met with officials
pilot in Southeast Asia. Those three individuals will be the princi-
from VFW, American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association; we
pal individuals from ACTION. ACTION support offices, regional
recently met with representatives of the Paralyzed Veterans Asso-
offices, State offices, as well as my national staff, are in a position
ciation and the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam
to support their efforts where necessary.
Veterans of America. Now, we have requested various organiza-
With regard to the individual communities, there it is basically
tions that are interested to come forward if they have programs
the project director and the project chairman who will be responsi-
they might like to develop in local communities. Additionally, Viet-
ble for the overall program. We are really there to provide some
nam veterans that might be interested in participating as chair-
assistance where they need it. We will not come in and say, "We
man, project director, or volunteer, are encouraged to come for-
have all the answers. We know what ought to be done." I think
ward.
that has been a mistake of a lot of the Washington programs.
We look forward to working closely with them. As part of the
I see our role in ACTION as a supportive role of the kind of
training of our project directors, significant emphasis is given to
leadership that will be out there and that will be involved in
their working very closely with the already worthwhile volunteer
putting together the program.
efforts that have been created by the veterans organizations.
Mr. EDGAR. Under the Carter administration, in the previous
This is not a membership organization, Mr. Chairman, and I
White House Vietnam Veterans Coordinating Committee, in de-
signing its pilot program for Vietnam veterans utilized VA funds
think we have clearly stated the point to the various groups. We
and VA personnel. As a separate Federal agency, does ACTION
have a single purpose, and that is to help increase the number of
intend to derive any additional funding for the Vietnam Veterans
successful Vietnam veterans volunteering to help some of their
fellow veterans in need.
Leadership Program from the Veterans' Administration or any
other Federal agency?
Mr. EDGAR. Mr. Wheeler, using the example again of the Peo-
Mr. PAUKEN. We will be attempting to have interagency agree-
ple's Emergency Center, we were involved in a 6- to 8-week emer-
ments with a variety of agencies, in order to help support this
gency action volunteer training program to teach volunteers who
program. We have at ACTION limited resources. We are putting a
manned the shelter how to deal with the kinds of cases and prob-
substantial portion of our limited resources into the program. How-
lems that they would be addressing. I wonder if you could describe
ever, additionally we anticipate a desire for interagency agree-
further the extent and type of training you will be providing your
ments with a variety of agencies to help support it. Although we
program personnel within the program. And also, how much of the
don't want to create a situation in which another agency is going
budget have you allocated for training?
to have lifetime veterans programs. I think as an appropriate part
Mr. WHEELER. With respect to the budget, the training is con-
of our commitment it is understood by all that this is a program
ducted by ACTION, and the budget figures you have before you for
with a phase-in and phase-out period within ACTION.
the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Programs in each city are not
Mr. EDGAR. Which agencies other than the Veterans' Adminis-
levied for training purposes. That is part of the burden which Tom
tration do you think you might coordinate with?
Pauken has undertaken, and is taking care of within the agency.
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, we were able to enter into an interagency
Training is one of the most important parts of the work that I
agreement with Community Services Administration. We are work-
am doing. We have already conducted training programs for both
ing with Health and Human Services, and perhaps additional sup-
chairmen and project directors in the pilot cities previously men-
port could come from the Department of Education, HUD, and a
tioned. The training took 2 days, and was conducted by a faculty
number of the agencies that were considered in the previous ad-
which we assembled through the course of the summer, in conver-
ministration. I don't have those documents today, but we were
sation with members of, for example, the DAV and the American
given some documents of the White House Coordinating Council
Legion, and experts at the Department of Labor and the VA.
under the Carter administration which proposed to take funds
We identified those professionals, civil servants, and individuals
from a number of different agencies to put together an overall
in the private sector who know the most and who have the most
effort which is a little bit different from our program. The VVLP
experience in the area of teaching newcomers what the lay of the
concept focuses exclusively on Vietnam veterans as opposed to
land is in a community, with respect to the Vietnam veteran. The
Vietnam-era veterans, people who were in the country.
faculty's expertise also covered the needs that the Vietnam veter-
Mr. EDGAR. I think we are well aware of the fact that the
ans have, and the factors to consider as a volunteer decides what to
Veterans' Administration has the largest volunteer program in the
do, and what new work to undertake.
15
14
Mr. PAUKEN. I would be happy to, Mr. Chairman.
Those training sessions for the men onboard have already been
Mr. EDGAR. Also we have talked about the structure of the
conducted. For example, Chuck O'Brien, sitting with us, has at-
organization. We talked about the training, and the value of the 2-
tended the training for the chairmen. He also sent a representative
day training experience, and providing for the record the training
down to undergo the training as the project director. We now have
packet.
a training program that we can put on for each new team of people
I wonder if we could spend just a few moments now on the
as they come aboard.
mission. What is the substance of the mission that you hope to
Mr. EDGAR. Is 2 days sufficient?
Mr. WHEELER. I guess the best person to answer that would be
accomplish?
Chuck O'Brien, since he is the man in the field and perhaps can
Let me just read a couple of lines here, and a comment before
reflect on his feelings and the feedback he got from his man who
you respond:
came down for the training.
The Center for Policy Research study, Legacies of Vietnam, revealed that those
Mr. O'BRIEN. Thank you, Jack.
veterans with service in Vietnam, and particularly those with combat experience,
can suffer from a higher degree of readjustment problems than those who did not
I think that 2 days is adequate. I think to understand the pro-
serve in Vietnam. While this is undoubtedly true, the VA Readjustment Counseling
grams and resources that are available would take a month of
Program has documented a sizable number of their clients who are Vietnam era
concerted study.
veterans or who served in direct support of the war in Vietnam, who also are
But in 2 days we were familiarized with an overview. We were
having considerable difficulty.
given an understanding of the different programs, their aims, pur-
As you know, title 38 of the United States Code makes no distinc-
poses, and directions. We were also provided a key document that
tion in awarding benefits as to the type of military service provided
provided in summary form the needs assessment-in our case, in
by a veteran. Do you have any comments on this, and also, who do
the Philadelphia area. On the basis of the needs assessment docu-
you consider to be the primary target population within the Viet-
ment and on the training, we are in the process of preparing an
nam veterans population for the Vietnam Veterans Leadership
index which we will use to tap into resources. Thus it is my view
Program?
that 2 days is adequate. The alternative, a month, I think, is much
Mr. PAUKEN. I am very comfortable with the comments, but as I
too time consuming.
mentioned in my earlier remarks, our emphasis, our focus, our
Mr. EDGAR. Mr. Wheeler, would you make available to the Com-
concentration will be on Vietnam war zone veterans, those who
mittee a copy of the training packet so that we can have some idea
served in-country. We have limited resources, and I think there is a
of what is used? 1
distinction between those who served in-country and Vietnam vet-
Mr. WHEELER. Of course.
erans. There is a common bond among war zone veterans and we
Also, you heard Chuck O'Brien mention, Mr. Chairman, a needs
think that through voluntarism, using a volunteer program, it
assessment. Tom also mentioned it in his testimony. We do give
makes sense to focus our attention on some rather narrow objec-
training, as I have explained, but the detailed work of identifying
tives and a specific group. Therefore, those who served in-country
exactly what the lay of the land is, say, in Philadelphia or in
are particularly well qualified to help, as was mentioned in the
Nashville or our other cities is is part of the process of establishing
statement you just read, those who were combat veterans and who
a document which we call a needs assessment. You might call it a
have had difficult problems in readjustment. I wrote a report a
diagnosis.
number of years ago, when I was in the National Advisory Council
We provide resources from our office, men, to help-for example,
on Vocational Education. What bothered me-and was eventually
Chuck and his staff in the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Lead-
reported on by the Advisory Council-was that it was easier for
ership Program, to establish clearly what is going on in greater
those of us who had a college background and could go back to
Philadelphia, with respect to Vietnam veterans. That is a process
school-law school or whatever-than for our less well-educated
that is much longer than 2 days.
peers. We want to focus our resources on any lingering problems
We are also there assisting Chuck and his staff for the second
faced by those young infantry men who were serving in Vietnam
step. After the diagnosis, you do a prescription, if you will, or a
who had not even finished high school. Those were the ones who
selection of activities, what we call a leadership program, which is
didn't have a skill, didn't have training coming out of their mili-
the two or three objectives that Chuck, as chairman, identifies as
tary service, and those who may still have in our judgment, the
the achievable, modest goals that he wants his program to aim at.
greatest need. I think particularly in the area of unemployment
It is a long process. It is not just 2 days. Two days is the initial
and underemployment, I would suspect, based upon information I
briefing, and the overview, and the conveying of the big picture.
have seen, that those are the people with the greatest needs. And I
Mr. EDGAR. I would like to add this period of questions. We
think we have, if you will, a single focus here.
talked about the budget, which I think we clarified to some degree,
We can't do everything. We don't intend to. We know there are
and it would be helpful if you could provide for the record what
so many worthwhile things out there, and we are just adding,
agencies that you build relationships with, and what funding those
hopefully, another dimension which hasn't been in place yet.
agencies may contribute to this program when that information is
Mr. EDGAR. Give me a three- or four-sentence statement about
developed.²
your mission. What is it that you want to be judged by in 1984 as
having accomplished as a mission?
1 Retained in committee files.
3 Retained in committee flien.
16
17
Mr. PAUKEN. I would say we should be judged based upon was
this a program that pulled Vietnam veterans together; that sym-
volunteer for service in Vietnam have caused me to volunteer to
bolically, both in the local level as well as a national level, helped
serve Vietnam veterans in 1981. I think that we have all had a
to change the image of Vietnam veterans as guilt-ridden victims
chance to digest the Vietnam experience. I think we understand-
and losers and instead focused more on Vietnam veterans as a
we who have been modestly successful in the private sector-un-
leadership resource; and that those Vietnam veterans who came
derstand who we are now, much better than we did when we
together in the different communities across the country were able
returned from Vietnam. And we have been able to put the Viet-
to make a difference, and provide assistance and help to some of
nam experience in proper focus so that we can use it as a strength
their fellow veterans who still haven't fully recovered from their
instead of a weakness, or we now have an understanding where
there was a lack of understanding previously.
Vietnam service.
Mr. EDGAR. Mr. Wheeler, in that same report from the Center
So I think that we can work very successfully with other Viet-
nam veterans.
for Policy Research, it stated that the majority of veterans from all
Mr. EDGAR. Mr. O'Brien, in the infancy of your program in
walks of life, the majority that they interviewed, appeared to have
Philadelphia, what specific problems have you faced, and what do
unresolved war experiences. In this respect, the interviewers ob-
you think will be your biggest obstacles in the next few weeks?
served a certain amount of avoidance behavior on the part of these
Mr. O'BRIEN. Our single greatest problem is how to use all the
veterans in dealing or coping with those experiences.
resources that have been offered to us. We have had no difficulty
Obviously, your program, personnel, and volunteers are going to
in identifying members for our board of directors. We have six
be confronted with the entire Vietnam experience once again. Even
members. And they represent a number of different professions,
trained psychologists within the VA veteran center program who
including law, medicine, and the banking industry. We have a
are themselves Vietnam-era veterans have experienced difficulty,
member who represents the manufacturing sector, and we have
and even total burn-out, in working with the war on a daily basis.
members who represent State and local government, city govern-
How do you plan to screen or assist your program personnel in
ment. I think you know Jim McCloskey.
terms of this kind of experience? You may not understand that
Mr. EDGAR. Would you provide for the committee a list of the
totally. But psychologically, many of them, in dealing with the
board members, the six board members in Philadelphia?
Vietnam war on a day-to-day basis, experience burnout, and this is
Mr. O'BRIEN. I would be happy to.¹
one of the major problems that we discovered from the veterans
Each of the board members has in turn spoken with other Vietnam
center program at readjustment counseling centers.
veterans, and we are already in the process of assembling a network
Mr. WHEELER. Mr. Chairman, I would be delighted to respond to
throughout the city of Philadelphia, and that network has now
that. That is a very moving question that you asked, and I will
crossed county boundaries. We have been approached by and have
respond to it. But would you permit me to turn to my Philadelphia
approached Vietnam veterans for leadership positions in Scranton
counsel?
and Harrisburg, and I understand, Williamsport. Our single greatest
Mr. EDGAR. OK.
problem is to muster the resources and use them properly and effi-
Mr. O'BRIEN. Mr. Chairman, that question invites a response by
ciently and productively.
me, because, in a sense, I am the volunteer who has emerged, who
We hope to be self-funded within a year. We have given our
served in the ranks. Let me say that-first, this program is a
banking, our investment banker, responsibility for recognizing that
phenomenon that would have to surface in 1981. It couldn't have
funding achievement. In a year's time we would like very much to
surfaced earlier.
be in a position to recommend that any stipend from ACTION be
When we returned from Vietnam, there was no heraldry, there
given to one of the Vietnam veteran-oriented organizations that is
were no parades. There was no recognition. In fact, there was no
a service, a grassroots type organization, next year rather than
unifying thread that would unite Vietnam veterans. It simply
asking for any money ourselves.
wasn't there as was the case in World War II and Korea. What I
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you very much. That was very helpful. The
mean specifically is after World War II and Korea there was a
issue of agent orange has been a difficult one in this committee.
sense of solidarity among veterans.
We have moved recently some legislation to expand the study on
There was no incentive-in fact, there was a disincentive, toward
herbicides. We moved recently to allow the veterans hospital
that kind of a movement among Vietnam veterans. It has taken
system to get involved with agent orange in a more significant
me about 10 years to get beyond the experiences of combat in
way, and we are struggling with the many studies that are being
Vietnam. They were very unpleasant, and pretty awful. And I
made on the issue. Clearly, the issue comes up at every veterans
don't think it is going to be easy for me to sit down and talk about
meeting and every veteran rally that I see.
combat experiences and the general Vietnam experience with other
How does your volunteer program plan to handle that issue?
veterans, ever.
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, right now, Bill Jayne, who is the Vietnam
It is not that I have any sense of shame; it is simply a sense that
Veterans Leadership Program in ACTION, sits on the agent orange
that is water under the dam and that's an experience that is past.
working group, which is an interagency working group. I think it
It has made me a stronger and better person, but it is important to
would be premature on our part to comment how we would deal
understand that now in 1981 the same forces that caused me to
1 Retained in committee files.
19
18
I think this can be very beneficial. I didn't mean to get wound
with the specific problem of an individual. I know that in Texas
up, Mr. Chairman. But I do have very strong feelings on this
where I resided prior to coming with the Reagan administration,
subject.
we had a policeman there that had problems associated with agent
Mr. EDGAR. Mr. O'Brien, just one final question. Will your volun-
orange. If we can be helpful, we would obviously be helpful to that
teer effort relate to the readjustment counseling center in Philadel-
individual in directing him to the appropriate people and facilities
phia that was recently established?
which could be of assistance.
Mr. O'BRIEN. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Let me explain how we intend
But again, I think that our primary focus, and that is why we
to operate. We will establish a network of Vietnam veterans who
are trying to be rather single-minded about it, is to recruit Viet-
have, as I indicated, achieved modest success in the private sector.
nam veterans to help some of their fellow veterans, and where it is
We will use those contacts to elicit commitments from employers to
a referral kind of situation, be it counseling or agent orange, we
provide greater job opportunities both by way of employment and
would try to help out in that regard by referring the individual to
to correct underemployment.
the appropriate body.
We will use our network to develop resources that we will, in
Mr. EDGAR. It is still a little confusing whether your plans are to
turn, make available to Vietnam Veterans Multiservice Center, to
have a one-on-one experience or referral experience or group expe-
the United Vietnam Veterans Organization, to grassroots organiza-
riences with Vietnam veterans.
tions, that will, in general, conduct one-on-one counseling, that will
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, I think we're not going to get into group
be in a position to direct Vietnam veterans to employers who have
counseling, but I think we will have a lot of instances where
given us a commitment to provide employment.
successful Vietnam veterans who are doing well will be trying to
We will be operating at a very high level. We have no intention
help one-on-one. Perhaps, for example, a Vietnam combat veteran
of entering into competition with what the Veterans' Administra-
came back from the war and thought he had done his job, and then
tion is currently doing or the VFW or others.
he sees himself painted as a baby killer, dope addict, loser, victim,
Mr. EDGAR. I've really been impressed with your comments this
et cetera, and he gets confused. Perhaps he has a limited educa-
morning, and I really have several more questions I would like to
tional background and perhaps he has been floundering ever since.
pursue.
Then the example of a guy that went through a heck of a lot,
This is going to be a little bit of a more serious question, and I
like a Chuck O'Brien, and made it back, I think, can be a real
don't mean it to be that, but I just want to get some assurances
inspiration and real help to a guy who needs a little push. Self-
early on. Is there any attempt to politicize this effort?
esteem is very important and pride is a very important part of it.
Mr. PAUKEN. Absolutely not, Mr. Chairman. We have a diversi-
This is off the subject, Mr. Chairman, but we saw the other day a
ty-in fact, I think the only common thread is a belief in that pride
show about the "typical Vietnam veteran," "Frank: a Vietnam
of service in Vietnam. We have a real diversity of individuals that
Veteran," that's going to be on all the public television stations in
are involved in this program.
the country on Veterans Day. We had three Vietnam veterans
Mr. EDGAR. I had to ask that question.
watch it, and we all were just quite frankly, quite literally ap-
Mr. Wheeler, I understand that you are also involved with an-
palled. I mean this is your typical stereotype image of the Vietnam
other form of volunteer effort, namely, the Vietnam Veterans Me-
veteran, who is ruined and messed up and destroyed for life, be-
morial Fund. Many of us on this committee strongly support the
cause of his service.
legislation allocating the use of Federal lands on the Mall here in
I think we have to understand there is a different dimension to
Washington as a site for the memorial. Funds to complete the
this issue, because when an employer is confused and is affected by
project, however, will come only from the private sector and pri-
the stereotyping that is going on, and somebody comes to the
vate contributions.
employer and says, "Look, I've got a Vietnam veteran who needs a
Could you give us an update on this project?
job," and the employer says, "Oh, my gosh, we've got a dope addict
Mr. WHEELER. Sure, Mr. Chairman. My involvement with the
or a killer or a psycho." The Washington Post the other day had a
memorial fund began when I was in private practice here in town.
little review of a book dealing with Vietnam veterans, and it had
And as a pro bono matter, I helped found the memorial fund and
sort of a funny line in an offhanded fashion, and it was by a
went aboard as a director of the not-for-profit corporation which is
Vietnam veteran, and he said, "Psycho on the loose. Round up all
the memorial fund, and I remain a member of that board of direc-
of the usual suspects: Vietnam veterans."
tors.
This kind of nonsense has got to be dealt with. As you know,
I am not a paid employee. I am a director of a not-for-profit
there's not one Vietnam veteran self-proclaimed spokesman, it is a
corporation called the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The pro-
variety of Vietnam veteran as leaders. There's the Chuck O'Briens
gram is on schedule and on target for a dedication date on Novem-
and Mark Treanors in Baltimore and others around the country all
ber 11, 1982, which is almost exactly 12 months from today.
will be coming forward and talking to service groups and meeting
The design, which is, of course, central to the process was picked
as a result of a nationwide, wide-open design competition which
with people in different companies. Employers are going to be
was assembled using the best advice that the memorial fund could
saying, "Yes, look at this person. Look at this individual. We will
help you."
find. The competition was open to every American over, if I re-
21
20
member correctly, 18 years of age. It was widely publicized, and it
Mr. WHEELER. As to financial controls, ACTION, in conjunction
turned out that the memorial fund had on its hands the largest
with the appropriate circulars from the Office of Management and
design competition ever held in the history of the world, as best as
Budget, has a rigorous procedure for monitoring how funds are
professionals in this type of activity could recall.
allocated to different recipients of ACTION grants and also has
All of the designs were displayed during Memorial Day this last
procedures for following up with audits to make sure that Federal
year, and the only place large enough in town that the memorial
funds are expended according to the proposed budget and objectives
fund executive staff could find to display them was the C-5-A
that was included in the original grant. That is routine within
hangar out at Andrews Air Force Base. There were nearly 1,500
ACTION, and it is a part of this program just like it is a part of
designs.
other ACTION programs.
The jury that picked the winning design was one that was hand-
With respect to judging the success of the programs, there are
picked by Vietnam veterans, including Vietnam combat veterans.
several criteria. The first one, which is the one that we can submit
The jury was a group of preeminent world designers; one of them,
to you today is whether we are finding a good flow and encourag-
the foreman of the jury, was Grady Clay, a noted critic in the
ing a good flow of high-quality volunteers. That is the first indica-
design world, who was wounded in action in World War II at
tion. If you want to judge, the first thing you do, using my military
Anzio. The senior member of the jury was Pietro Belluschi, former
background as an example, to judge a unit is to check out the men
dean of the Architecture School at M.I.T., and a noted internation-
who are in it and the men who are signing on. That is one thing
al designer. Pietro is also a combat veteran. He was in the Italian
that Tom and I have been monitoring closely.
Army as an artillery battery commander during World War I and
Then with respect to achieving individual goals within each pro-
was one of the troops involved in the withdrawal of the Italian
gram, the key-aside from the flow of quality volunteers, the key is
forces across the Alps during the winter campaign in the early part
the leadership program which each chairman tailors for himself,
of that war.
having completed the needs assessments-remember the prescrip-
The point is that these men were the best possible jury that
tion and the diagnosis, there is the needs assessment and the
could be selected. They selected a design with which you are prob-
leadership plan. Chuck is in the process of refining a needs assess-
ably familiar. It has been approved by the Fine Arts Commission,
ment. We are helping him do that. He will select the two or three
the National Capital Planning Commission, and the Department of
reasonable achievable goals that he wants to aim at, and then we
the Interior.
will watch as he undertakes to achieve them.
Mr. EDGAR. Are the contributions coming into the fund?
But it is a community-specific operation, so that the bulk of the
Mr. WHEELER. Fundraising is on schedule and even a little ahead
answer to your question lies in the targets that each chairman
of schedule. The brunt of the fundraising at this point is being
decides to cite for himself.
carried by several principal members of various American corpora-
Mr. EDGAR. Very good.
tions, for example, Mr. Munro, who is head of Time, Inc., Mr.
Let me ask just two quick questions. Then I will turn to my col-
Thayer, who is chairman of LTV, and several other corporate
league, Mr. Daschle.
leaders.
Recruitment of women volunteers within this organization. Do
Our principal problems right now are engineering problems,
you have plans to reach out to both men and women?
making sure that we have the best possible quality control in the
Mr. PAUKEN. Absolutely.
engineering, the soil samples, the selection of stone, and the execu-
Mr. EDGAR. And also specifically the number of minorities that
tive staff of the memorial fund is doing that with the same care
served in Vietnam was quite high. Do you have some intention to
that they took in managing what turns out to be the largest design
target some of your approach to those successful Vietnam veterans,
competition ever held.
who are minorities, to be very actively involved?
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you for describing what the process is, and we
Mr. PAUKEN. Absolutely. And in fact, there are already some
wish you well in that effort.
minorities who are coming forward as possible project directors or
Let me turn to a final area of questioning that is really the
chairmen in different communities, and we would anticipate,
bottom-line concern that I would have, and that is a year from
again, as I mentioned earlier, a good diversity of communities as
now, when we ask you to come back and tell us how things are
well as minority representatives on this program.
going, on what basis or criteria, will you want to be judged. By
Mr. WHEELER. Mr. Chairman, with respect to the question you
what criteria will each site be judged for productivity or nonpro-
just asked, there are two pieces to it. One is the type of person, the
ductivity, and what system of accountability have you established
category of person, that a chairman like Chuck O'Brien thinks about
to account for Federal funds expended at each of the sites?
when he decides who he wants to have ended up helping.
Mr. PAUKEN. I will defer to Jack Wheeler, who has put together
And the other part of the question would be, who comes aboard
the overall plan, but we do have a system which is designed to
at the invitation of the local chairman to assist him either as a
identify and monitor, as well as project what ought to be done, and
fellow board member or as a volunteer. There are two people. Of
what has been accomplished, particularly in the area of contacts.
course, the Vietnam veteran is the person that this program is
Jack can also speak more specifically to some of the controls that
aimed at helping, but with respect to the volunteers, although the
are being put in place with regard to the question you've asked.
chairman is a Vietnam veteran and his paid local project director
22
23
is a Vietnam veteran, other people in the community who want to
of the board of directors of a not-for-profit corporation called a
help are invited to help at the decision of the local chairman.
VVLP with a lot of work to do.
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you very much. One of the leaders on Viet-
Mr. DASCHLE. Well, that is encouraging, and that does further
nam-era veterans' issues is my colleague, Tom Daschle, who led
clarify.
several fights recently on Vietnam-era veterans legislation through
I should apologize for being late. I had another meeting at 9 a.m.
the House and successfully to the President's desk, and I would
But I did have some things-and I haven't had a chance to read
like to yield at this time to him for questioning.
your testimony which, judging from what the chairman has said, is
Tom?
quite impressive.
Mr. DASCHLE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Let me ask you a couple of things in regard to the money you are
Mr. Pauken, I was interested in your criteria which you've estab-
spending. I know that a grant was recently awarded-I think the
lished for eligibility. You say "in country."
size was about $300,000-to the Vietnam veterans organization in
Mr. PAUKEN. That's correct.
Baltimore. That seems like a pretty formidable grant.
Mr. DASCHLE. Let me ask you. There are many of us, many
Mr. PAUKEN. There will be a number of grants specifically associ-
Vietnam veterans, I should say, that served in other countries in
ated with the program, $50,000 approximately will go to Baltimore.
Southeast Asia. Certainly you wouldn't disqualify them for not
Mr. DASCHLE. Only $50,000 is going to Baltimore?
being specific in country, would you?
Mr. PAUKEN. That's right. But there will be a number of Viet-
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, I mentioned earlier, this is a limited program.
nam Veterans Leadership Programs emerging out of the rest of the
I have no problem or objection to various agency programs that
funds already in Baltimore.
deal with the entire gamut of Vietnam-era veterans. We have
Mr. DASCHLE. I am delighted for Baltimore. But what I am
limited resources. We have a rather limited focus in terms of what
concerned about is, given the limited resources-
we are trying to do, and our emphasis will be as much as possible
Mr. PAUKEN. It will turn out to be approximately $50,000 per
on recruiting, as chairman and as project directors, Vietnam veter-
city. Part of that money will be going to other Vietnam veteran
ans. People who served in country.
leadership programs in other communities.
Mr. DASCHLE. What about someone who served in Thailand, for
Before you arrived, as an example, Chuck O'Brien mentioned
example?
how, initially, Philadelphia started up with some assistance from
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, I would have to get into a specific situation
ACTION. But the hope is that the private sector will pick up on
and case, but our general focus is to try to put together a program
that, and that perhaps some other cities and other communities in
from top to bottom involving Vietnam veterans.
Pennsylvania will be interested and will come forward.
Mr. DASCHLE. I'm not going to, I guess, strenuously object to
We would anticipate-and we got into this in some detail prior to
setting out a specific criteria like that. But I think that it is one of
your arrival-that in each community it will approximately be
the fastest ways I know to pit these people against each other.
$50,000 that will be provided.
Mr. PAUKEN. I don't think there is anything at all associated
Mr. DASCHLE. So, the $300,000 in Baltimore is erroneous?
with this program to pit people against one another.
Mr. PAUKEN. In terms of being spent in Baltimore, absolutely.
Mr. DASCHLE. Well, if someone spent-served in Thailand and
Mr. DASCHLE. Maybe you could explain how-it is sent to Balti-
spent a lot of TDY time in Vietnam, and your buddy spends the
more and then dispersed, is that it?
same time in Vietnam, sitting behind a typewriter in Saigon-you
Mr. PAUKEN. There will be some Vietnam Veterans Leadership
know, there is a lot of different circumstances.
Programs coming out of that funding; that was an interagency
And I guess what I would like to urge you to do is to not be so
agreement prior to the end of the fiscal year-this is with the
site-specific as to exclude people who probably spent a pretty rough
Community Services Administration-and that was necessitated
year in Thailand or elsewhere.
during the closeout phase of the Community Services Administra-
Mr. WHEELER. Mr. Congressman, on that very point-as you
tion.
know, I am the Director of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Pro-
Mr. DASCHLE. Let me ask: Was the Vietnam veterans organiza-
gram. Tom and I have brought aboard two Deputy Directors.
tion in Baltimore the recipient of $300,000 or not?
We have introduced William Jayne, a Marine rifleman, who was
Mr. PAUKEN. The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, yes,
last in Khe Sanh during the siege; he is now aboard as a Deputy
has received a grant from the ACTION agency.
Director. His fellow Deputy Director is Edward Timperlake, who
Mr. DASCHLE. Well, the VVLP was the recipient, in Baltimore, of
graduated from Annapolis and then became a Marine F-4 pilot,
$300,000?
stationed in Thailand, and of course flew direct air support in the
Mr. PAUKEN. Of a grant. That is correct. And there will be a
combat zone.
number of VVLP programs that will emerge out of that. The total
Again, as I explained to Chairman Edgar, men-for example,
to go to the Baltimore program is approximately $50,000; but there
men like you, who went to Chuck and said, if you lived in Philadel-
will be other Vietnam Veterans Leadership Programs funded, in
phia or Nashville or San Antonio or Wilmington, "What are you
different communities, from the $300,000.
Mr. DASCHLE. I see.
doing here? How can I help?"-you might find yourself a member
Now, has this money already been awarded?
25
24
Mr. PAUKEN. Yes, sir. It was recently awarded.
which are nothing more than written reports, so it's hard to evalu-
Mr. DASCHLE. Within, I'm sure, a specified period of time, you
ate, is that Wichita, Kans., was successful, San Francisco was not.
are going to be able to analyze whether that money is well spent?
Interestingly enough, one of the people who is helping to train
Mr. PAUKEN. Again, as explained Mr. Daschle, prior to your
our project directors was a part of that initial program. So, appar-
arrival here-I think the point that needs to be made is that this
ently a lot of good came out of that in the northern California area,
program is just starting this month, SO we would anticipate that
with regard to Vietnam veterans.
within a 6- to 12-month period of time, we will be able to provide
But under my predecessor, Mr. Brown, all of that was dropped.
appropriate committees with information concerning the develop-
And so, this agency was not at all active in the area of Vietnam
ment of the program.
veterans. And I regret to say, it probably had one of the worst, if
Mr. DASCHLE. Your intentions are to analyze these on a routine
not the worst record, of all agencies, in terms of percentage of
basis?
Vietnam veterans who were employed in that agency, during Mr.
Mr. PAUKEN. Not a routine basis. It is not a routine program, as
Brown's tenure.
far as we're concerned. We believe it is an important addition to
And I think this is another issue. I think the Federal Govern-
the equation of Vietnam veterans being recruited as volunteers to
ment has a responsibility, too-we are trying to meet it at
help some of their fellow veterans. And we think there has been-
ACTION-of seeing that Vietnam veterans and veterans get a fair
again, repeating what I said earlier-a lot of adverse and wrong-
hearing, in terms of the job opportunities in the Federal Govern-
headed mythology about Vietnam veterans out there. And I think
ment.
that we can be helpful in this regard.
Mr. DASCHLE. Are you anticipating any kind of internal struggle
Mr. DASCHLE. How much money, in total?
within ACTION, in terms of this $2 million?
We have provided $300,000 to VVLP in Baltimore. And this may
For example, are other programs within ACTION saying, "Obvi-
be redundant, too, but for my benefit, could you tell me how much
ously we are being cut back, and here you are, starting a new
the total aggregate will be?
program"?
Mr. PAUKEN. We're looking at approximately $2 million per
How do you explain that?
fiscal year, a total of approximately $6 million over a 3-year period.
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, Mr. Chairman, just again, we've gotten into
Mr. DASCHLE. When the VVLP sets up its organization, will they
some depth and some detail in terms of my personal feelings about
then be contracting out part of that $50,000, or will that be used
the importance of this program. I served for 6 years as a member
internally?
of the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education, and
Mr. PAUKEN. The $50,000 will generally support a project direc-
after I returned from my military service in Vietnam, wrote a
tor, a secretary, and an assistant. Again, this is something we
report which the council adopted, on some of the problems affect-
covered a little earlier.
ing Vietnam veterans.
Mr. DASCHLE. So that, in essence, the total amount is going to be
I mentioned in there that we are all prepared for culture shock,
used on salaries? Is that it?
but we are not prepared for what I call "reverse culture shock,"
Mr. PAUKEN. No. That is not correct.
because the attitudes and values and reception, if you will, of
I would say that, in terms of salaries, obviously, $50,000 is not a
Vietnam veterans wasn't very good when veterans came home.
significant amount of money. Part of it is salary and part of it will
There was a lot of mythology and unfair stereotyping of Vietnam
be for the additional expenses of running the program.
veterans as dopers, killers, losers, psychos. And now, as I men-
We would anticipate, and hope to have, a donation of a variety of
tioned earlier, I believe there is a new mythology out there, of
services ranging from office space to other private-sector supports
guilt-ridden victims ashamed of their service.
of this program.
I think, quite frankly, the former staff member of the House
Mr. EDGAR. Would the gentleman yield for a second?
Veterans' Affairs Committee has done a lot to help the real under-
Mr. DASCHLE. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
standing of Vietnam service, and the pride in service in the Viet-
Mr. EDGAR. At the point of the question on staffing, it just
nam veteran-and I am talking about Jim Webb and his novel
occurred to me to ask a question.
"Fields of Fire." I think it is the best novel-personally, and this
Will these persons who will be paid for out of these funds get
doesn't relate to the subject-that I have read, associated with the
civil service retirement benefits and other Federal benefits?
Vietnam war, from a perspective of a young soldier serving in
Mr. PAUKEN. No.
Vietnam.
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you.
The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program is an important pro-
Mr. DASCHLE. We have had various veteran-oriented programs in
gram, and it needs to be undertaken. And I note also the Presi-
the past in ACTION. This one, I think, seems to be very well laid
dent's emphasis on volunteerism-we are expanding the older
out.
American programs, we are developing some youth initiatives to
How would you rate ACTION's performance in the past?
encourage young people to volunteer, and we are developing this
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, they started with two programs-in Wichita,
program on behalf of Vietnam veterans, serving as volunteers to
Kans., and San Francisco, Calif.-a number of years ago, prior to
the starting of the Vet Reach centers. My reports that I have seen,
help recruit their fellow veterans.
26
27
I think it is a positive step. And I think it is very consistent with
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, again, we have gone into some detail on that.
the new direction at ACTION.
We are talking to HHS, the Veterans' Administration, and other
Mr. DASCHLE. You provided $300,000 out of Baltimore, which is
agencies.
going to be disbursed, I guess, in a regional fashion.
Mr. DASCHLE. Well, what I'm concerned about is that you don't
Has the bulk of the money that you have allocated for this
have the money as yet. Is that it?
program already been allocated in such fashion?
Mr. PAUKEN. We will have the money.
Mr. PAUKEN. We are just starting. It is generally going to be
Mr. DASCHLE. You will have the money? $2.5 million?
$50,000 per project.
Mr. PAUKEN. Yes, sir.
Mr. DASCHLE. And most of that money will be awarded this year?
Mr. DASCHLE. Well, thank you, Mr. Pauken.
Mr. PAUKEN. I think one of the interesting aspects of this pro-
Mr. PAUKEN. Thank you.
gram is that we are not locked in-we have to be in these 50 cities
Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. Chairman, thank you.
by this period of time, so go out and find somebody who happens to
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you for your questions.
I'm going to call on Frank Stover, who is deputy chief counsel of
be a Vietnam veteran.
the full Veterans' Affairs Committee. He has a few final questions
We're looking for people who come to us, who come to the agency
to ask.
from the local communities, who have exhibited leadership, are
We really appreciate your patience.
interested, are committed, and want to take this on in the individu-
Mr. STOVER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
al community.
I would like to follow up first on the question by Mr. Daschle. I
I would hope that by the end of the fiscal year, we will have
think everybody who served west of Hawaii during the Vietnam
some 50 Vietnam Veterans Leadership Programs in different com-
war likes to think they were a combat veteran, whether they were
munities throughout the country. There has been a tremendous
pounding a typewriter or whether they were floating bombs on a
amount of interest. We hope, by the end of this year, to have from
B-52 from Guam.
7 to 10 programs actually funded and ready to go.
So, my question is: You used the expression, "combat veteran."
Mr. DASCHLE. Ten would be $500,000. So, about a fourth of your
How would you define that?
money will be expended by the end of this year?
Mr. PAUKEN. Vietnam veteran.
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, in terms of getting the programs, 10 would be
Mr. STOVER. Do you include all 9 million?
$500,000. We hope to have 50 by the end of the fiscal year-no,
Mr. PAUKEN. The 2.7 million that actually served in Vietnam.
that would be 40 more. So it would be approximately 20 percent of
Mr. STOVER. You include them all, regardless of whether they
what it would take to get the program rolling in some 50 communi-
served in Thailand or Southeast Asia?
ties.
Mr. PAUKEN. We have to look at it on a case-by-case basis. My
Mr. DASCHLE. You wouldn't have enough money for 50 if you
primary focus is in trying to help in terms of our limited program
spend $50,000 on each one.
and limited resources-those who were incountry Vietnam veter-
Mr. PAUKEN. Fifty times fifty, I think, is $2.5 million.
ans.
Mr. DASCHLE. But you said $2 million.
Mr. STOVER. That is your target group, then, the 2.7 million?
Mr. PAUKEN. $2 million or $2.5 million, depending on how rapid-
Mr. PAUKEN. That's right.
ly cities phase in during the year.
Mr. STOVER. You don't include those who were drafted during
Mr. DASCHLE. Do you have that kind of flexibility there?
the Vietnam war and-project 100,000, which became a much
Mr. PAUKEN. We have some discretionary funds in ACTION, and
larger figure?
we're also seeking interagency agreements.
Most of them are black, poor, and undereducated people, and a
Mr. DASCHLE. So you're getting your funding from discretionary
lot of them didn't reach Vietnam. They are among the group that,
funds right now?
I understand, as far as this committee is concerned, are still trying
Mr. PAUKEN. Well, we're getting funding out of some of the
to struggle out there.
ACTION programs. ACTION has a legislative mandate to be con-
You would not include them?
cerned about the problems of Vietnam veterans, SO some programs
Mr. PAUKEN. It does not mean that things don't develop to in-
fit into that, as well as an interest in the possibility of interagency
clude a variety of people with needs. There were a lot of black-
undereducated, black and white, and Mexican-American, and poor
agreements.
and undereducated people who served in Vietnam, as I made refer-
Mr. DASCHLE. Do you know which programs they are?
ence to in my earlier remarks. And a report that I put together
Mr. PAUKEN. What are you referring to?
addressed this subject long before the Vietnam veteran issue re-
Mr. DASCHLE. You said you are getting some money out of some
ceived so much attention.
other ACTION programs.
The point is, this is what we are initially trying to do. And I
Mr. PAUKEN. Demonstration programs, part B and part C fund-
think it would be like somebody going and saying, "We are going to
ing.
do everything"-and I have seen so many people say, "Golly, we're
Mr. DASCHLE. And interagency agreements with whom?
going to do all of this, A through Z," and fall on their face. So
28
29
we're going to try to limit it as much as possible, and focus on a
As a result of that, this committee developed and recommended
particular group. It doesn't mean we're going to go out of our way
to the full committee-and now the House and the Senate have
to try to exclude people.
approved, as Mr. Edgar referred to earlier-that H.R. 3499, a
For example, we will be, I think, helping a young man up in
health, education, and small business loan act of 1981, include a
Baltimore who has a center dealing with Vietnam-era veterans,
provision which will help Vietnam veterans who are not persons,
which includes Vietnam veterans as well as Vietnam-era veterans.
necessarily, who have not done so well, but veterans who are now
But again, the primary focus will be on Vietnam incountry combat
ready to go further into society and become more important and
veterans.
make a greater contribution.
Mr. WHEELER. Mr. Counsel, if I could speak to that for a
And we call this the program which will help Vietnam veterans
moment?
who are successful, rather than most of them which are also Viet-
I can't find a way to reiterate strongly enough what Tom Pauken
nam veterans who have not been quite so successful.
is trying to express. There is no effort to exclude people in this. But
So, I just mention this to you, to say that the OMB, of course,
ACTION is not the biggest Federal agency in town. We have limit-
has objected to this program, as well as some other programs that
ed resources. We are trying to target a program whose strength is
are in H.R. 3499.
getting volunteers to step forward, to take time out of their person-
So, I would refer you to your statement about: "the achievement
al, private, and professional lives to work-like Chuck O'Brien.
of a general goal can also be furthered by aiding the development
Because it is a volunteer program, the mainspring has got to be a
of small business, by Vietnam veterans themselves, and working to
bond that men who are stepping forward to volunteer still feel
insure that Vietnam veterans make full use of existing training
toward other men. And that mainspring, in my own experience as
and resources."
a military man, has a lot of energy when it relates to having been
So, I would just bring this to your attention, because this is an
in the war zone together, or down where the bullets flew specifical-
authorized program, and it certainly will take some initiative on
ly.
the part of the administration to ask for the money to carry out
That is not a statement that is meant to exclude people. It is
what I believe, and what this committee believes, is a very impor-
simply to say again-speaking about my own experience and the
tant program for Vietnam veterans.
things that have been said to me by men who have stepped forward
You mentioned also the targeted technical assistance programs.
to volunteer-that the bond that gets a man like Chuck or Mark
You know, the Department of Labor has about 24 job assistance
Treanor or Sam Bartholemew, to step forward in Nashville, to
local public employment offices, and I don't think you specifically
head the Nashville Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, is the
referred to those, but those come out of the veterans' preferences,
bond of war service. It is that bond that these young leaders feel
which are provided in those offices, come under the jurisdiction of
and it is the thing that gets them to say to their wives and their
this committee. And in that regard, this committee has established
families and their law firms and their banks and their unions,
and made permanent a program just for disabled veterans, combat
"OK, I am going to spend some time doing this, and I'm not going
disabled or service-connected disabled veterans, which we refer to
as DVOP, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program. That program is
to get paid for it."
So that it's on the shoulders of those men that the leadership of
in place. And we hopefully will be fully funded for fiscal year 1982.
You do refer to this TTA, as we call it, "targeted technical
this rests. Other people who want to help are more than welcome.
assistance" program. Are you aware that all of these programs that
Mr. STOVER. Thank you.
were carried out by the Department of Labor were in existence?
Following up on one question that Mr. Edgar asked: "Have you
Mr. PAUKEN. In fact, not only were these programs referred to
requested any money from VA?"
and dealt with in the training of our chairman and project direc-
Mr. PAUKEN. Sure. A number of agencies, we have. Absolutely.
tor, but Dennis Rhoades from the Department of Labor, a Vietnam
Mr. STOVER. Have you gotten any response?
veteran who has been very active in the entire area of employment
Mr. PAUKEN. We are in the process of discussions.
opportunities and training for Vietnam veterans, was part of the
Mr. STOVER. Now I would like to just ask a couple of more
training team and has been working with us and will continue to
questions, Mr. Chairman.
work with us in a community-by-community program along these
In reference to a program which you have referred to, as you
lines.
know, this committee held a number of hearings, oversight hear-
Mr. STOVER. Is Mr. Rhoades your liaison with the Department of
ings, on the Small Business Administration's enforcement, carrying
Labor?
out, and/or implementation of special considerations for veterans
Mr. PAUKEN. He has been providing us technical assistance, and
shall be provided in the awarding of small business loans by the
has been enormously helpful and supportive of what we are trying
small business agencies-that was a law passed back in 1972-or
to do. I can't really thank Mr. Rhoades enough for all that he has
1974, rather.
done so far.
And oversight hearings clearly demonstrated that there was
Mr. STOVER. Well, we know him, and hold him in high regard.
nothing of any substantial nature being done to help Vietnam
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
veterans or any other veterans, to give them small business loans.
Mr. EDGAR. Thank you, Mr. Stover.
30
I would like to submit without objection for the record two things:
One is an article from Monday, November 12, 1979's Washington
Post, entitled "Vietnam Vets: Tomorrow's Leaders" by John
Wheeler III, one of our witnesses;¹ and also Mr. Wheeler has
APPENDIX
provided a statement update on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Fund, and I would like to include that in the record as well.2
Let me say to you gentlemen that we appreciate your testimony
this morning, your candidness and your analysis of what your hope
STATEMENT OF THOMAS W. PAUKEN, DIRECTOR, ACTION AGENCY, BEFORE THE
is for this program, which is in its infancy. You have answered
HOUSE VETERANS' AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EM-
questions dealing with the budget, with structure, with the train-
PLOYMENT
ing, with the mission of the organization, and also you have an-
Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittee, good morning and thank you for
swered my questions dealing with evaluation.
inviting me to testify on the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. My name is
Somewhere in the month of September next year we hope to
Thomas W. Pauken. I am director of ACTION, the national volunteer agency in
invite you back and we hope to analyze at least, at the one-third
charge of the leadership program and also a Vietnam veteran. With me today is
John P. Wheeler, director of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. Mr.
mark of the 3 years, exactly where you are, and what some of your
Wheeler graduated from West Point in 1966 and served in Vietnam 1968-1969.
accomplishments are and what some of your setbacks are in this
First of all, I will present an overview of the program; its design, scope, how it
particular program. We wish you well in your effort.
works and who makes it work. Secondly, I will focus on our plans as they may
We look forward to seeing the kinds of action that we can antici-
specifically support employment and training programs for Vietnam veterans. Mr.
pate from your effort. And we stand ready to be of assistance to
Wheeler and I will, of course, be happy to answer any questions you may have. I
will keep my oral testimony concise and to-the-point and request that a copy of the
you in making sure that your effort succeeds. We would also hope
Leadership Program's Operations Plan and a set of representative biographies of
that you might, as you continue to be interested in veterans legisla-
participants be entered into the record of this hearing.
tion, help us by identifying some of the areas where there might be
This program is, first and foremost, a volunteer program. Thus, it is properly
a hole in the safety net, and we would appreciate from time to time
placed in ACTION, the national volunteer agency. As director of ACTION, I oversee
the activities of over 300,000 Americans who currently serve as volunteers in
if you could communicate with us things that you see in the real
ACTION programs. These programs include the Peace Corps, VISTA, the Foster
world that could be of value and help particularly in the fields of
Grandparent Program, the Senior Companion Program and RSVP, the Retired
education, training, and employment, because that is the area of
Senior Volunteer Program. ACTION's national and regional staff is well-suited to
focus of this particular subcommittee.
the task of supporting the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program and are most
enthusiastic about the program's goals and its chances for success.
Thank you for your time. The committee stands adjourned.
The Leadership Program is a community-based effort that depends on the energy,
[Whereupon, at 10:45 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
responsibility and-most importantly-the creative, intelligent leadership of local
volunteers in the true sense of the word-non-stipended volunteers. Working under a local
volunteer chairman and with a local, paid project director, the volunteers will operate at the
appropriate social, economic and political levels of the community necessary to solve the linger-
ing problems of their fellow Vietnam veterans.
It is important, at this point, to identify one of the program's guiding principles:
that is, the vast majority of Vietnam veterans are now responsible, hard-working
members of their communities. Approximately 2.7 million Americans served in
Vietnam and, as is to be expected from such a large group, many have excelled in
the professions, business, academics and artistic pursuits. It is from this large,
diverse and respected pool of veterans that the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Pro-
gram will draw its volunteers. These are the people who will make the program
work.
To emphasize that Vietnam veterans constitute a great, national reservoir of
leadership, an essential resource for the future, is not to deny that some Vietnam
veterans do not face very real, very significant problems. Some of those problems
include difficulty in adjusting to civilian life because of service-related disabilities,
anxiety related to post-traumatic stress and Agent Orange, and both under-employ-
ment and unemployment.
How will our volunteers seek to solve these problems? First, it must be noted that
this program is not conceived of as a panacea for all the lingering ills faced by each
and every Vietnam veteran. We must recognize that some individual problems are
simply, if regrettably, intractable. Our volunteers will not provide one-on-one coun-
seling services that would overlap the services already provided by the Veterans
Administration, veterans service organizations and, in many instances, community-
based organizations. Rather, our volunteers will work with employers, government
executives, leaders of charitable and philanthropic organizations and others in an
effort to complement the services provided by those, and other agencies. Our volun-
teers will also encourage Vietnam veterans to make full use of all services provided
by other groups.
(31)
1 See p. 51.
2 See p. 53.
32
33
In addition to direct benefits such as convincing employers to make more signifi-
successful transition back to civilian life and are doing well. We at ACTION hope
cant commitments to hiring Vietnam veterans, our volunteers will be in a position
that, through the VVLP, we can begin to change this false characterization of the
to point the way to some of our fellow veterans who have not yet made a successful
Vietnam veteran and help restore a sense of pride and selfworth to all veterans.
readjustment from their Vietnam service.
This we will accomplish by mobilizing the massive body of successful veterans as
Since the mandate given to volunteers is broad, and because each program will be
volunteers to help those who still need a hand. In this small way we who did return
community-specific, the first step will be a "needs assessment" that will catalog and
can help fulfill our debt to those who did not.
establish priorities as to the needs of the local Vietnam veteran population and also
identify the resources available to those veterans. Based on the needs assessment,
the volunteers will develop a specific "leadership program" intended to address
THE VIETNAM VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
those needs using the available resources in the most efficient and effective ways
possible.
It is time to tap the enormous resource of able and successful Vietnam veterans
At the present the pilot phase of the Leadership Program is underway with
who stand ready, with the proper encouragement, to come forward to help their
VVLP's operating in three communities: Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia, Penn-
fellow veterans who have lingering problems associated with their Vietnam military
sylvania; San Antonio, Texas (and will shortly begin in Wilmington, Delaware, and
service.
Nashville, Tennessee). We have estimated that from 300 to 500 hours of volunteer
The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program will: (1) encourage Vietnam veterans
time has already been devoted to those five programs. At the conclusion of the pilot
to step forward as volunteers to help their fellow veterans who have needs; (2)
phase (December 31) the Leadership Programs will expand to a full complement of
assure effective help for the estimated 500,000 Vietnam veterans who still have
50 communities by the end of the current fiscal year. Details of the phasing of the
significant lingering problems associated with their Vietnam experience, such as
programs are contained in the Leadership Program's Operations Plan submitted for
underemployment or unemployment; and (3) demonstrate the leadership of the
the record.
Vietnam veteran.
Selection of the remaining 45 sites will be made by my office based on the
The volunteers will work at the senior levels of the community's business and
following criteria: (1) Availability of an outstanding volunteer chairman; (2) Concen-
government structure to help the community build and maintain a coordinated
tration of Vietnam veterans; (3) Unemployment rate in the area; (4) Geographical
community-wide effort to help the Vietnam veteran. The "eyes and ears" of the
distribution of target communities; (5) Mix of urban, suburban and rural sites; (6)
volunteers will be the paid project director.
Community responsiveness and commitment to Vietnam veterans.
The Program will thus stimulate a flow of new, able volunteers to complement
Each program will be judged according to criteria contained in our Plan including
and reinforce existing government and veterans organization programs.
quality and quantity of volunteers, cost, effectiveness in serving the needs of veter-
This voluntary program has both practical and symbolic impact:
ans through existing programs, and approval by Vietnam veterans themselves.
It will recruit a significant number of Vietnam veterans to serve in a voluntary
ACTION will be providing grants of approximately $50,000 to each program primar-
capacity who are not now involved in efforts to assist those Vietnam veterans with
ily to provide the salary of the project director and a secretary/bookkeeper. Thus
particular needs.
the total cost will be approximately $2,000,000 per year through the end of fiscal
It will recognize that Vietnam veterans are a leadership resource, not a group to
year 1984, at which time the federal role in the program will be completed.
be pitied or to be treated as victims.
It should be noted that in addition to basic funding, site selection and program
It will affect national defense in perhaps a modest, but direct way. By affirming
evaluation, ACTION will provide extensive support in the form of necessary train-
the integrity of military service during the Vietnam War, the program will help
ing to local project directors and key volunteers. A training program plan has
serve to restore a national perception that military service is an honorable calling.
already been developed to give leadership program participants a thorough ground-
This program was personally approved by the President on July 16, 1981.
ing in the field of veterans affairs.
The training plan focuses on federal services such as those provided by the
Veterans Administration and the Department of Labor, and the state role as pro-
THE ACTION AGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN, ACTION VIETNAM VETERANS
vided through employment centers and state veterans affairs offices, and services
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM¹
provided by veterans service organizations. The training also discusses the increas-
ing interest of Vietnam veterans in business development aid and the current
The Vietnam War sundered the generation that came of age in the 1960s. The
dearth of services in that area. Such training is absolutely necessary if our pro-
leaders among the many able women and among the men who had no military
grams are to effectively complement existing services.
service began to emerge during the late 1970s. Now the leaders from the other part
To briefly summarize this overview of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Pro-
of the generation, the ones who served and came back, are making themselves felt. They are
gram: The Reagan Administration and ACTION believe it is time to tap the enor-
helping the ones who still carry heavy burdens from wartime service, for our Vietnam Veterans
mous resource of able and successful Vietnam veterans who stand ready, with the
are a national resource. We need them.
proper encouragement, to come forward to help their fellow veterans who still have
lingering problems associated with Vietnam military service. The Program will
PART .-PROGRAM DESIGN, PURPOSE, BACKGROUND, NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
focus its efforts in 50 communities across the country and each of the 50 local
programs will develop a community specific plan intended to solve the most press-
INTRODUCTION
ing problems faced by local Vietnam veterans using available resources to the best
It is time to tap the enormous resource of able and successful Vietnam veterans
possible advantage. Volunteers will use their leadership, management and other profes-
who stand ready, with the proper encouragement, to come forward to help their
sional skills, and community and local government contacts to solve those prob-
fellow veterans who have lingering problems associated with their Vietnam military
lems. ACTION will provide basic planning and technical assistance to the 50 local
service.
programs.
The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program will: (1) encourage Vietnam veterans
As you can see from this overview, the Leadership Program's direct effect on veterans'
to step forward as volunteers to help their fellow veterans who have needs; (2)
employment and training programs will, to a great degree, depend on local factors. In a general
assure effective help for the estimated 500,000 Vietnam veterans who still have
sense, the most important effect is expected to be the ability of volunteers to increase the recep-
significant lingering problems associated with their Vietnam experience, such as
tivity of employers to hiring Vietnam veterans. This can be accomplished through contacts
underemployment or unemployment; and (3) demonstrate the leadership of the
with Vietnam veterans occupying key positions in business, industry and labor. Achievement
Vietnam veteran.
of the general goal can also be furthered by aiding the development of small businesses by
The Program will stimulate a flow of new, able volunteers to complement and
Vietnam veterans themselves and working to ensure that Vietnam veterans make full use of
reinforce existing government and veterans organization programs.
existing training resources.
This voluntary program has both practical and symbolic impact: It will recruit a
In conclusion, on a personal note, I would like to point out that I see a tendency
significant number of Vietnam veterans to serve in a voluntary capacity who are
to portray the Vietnam veteram as a victim and a loser. It is true that many
veterans need help due to problems associated with their Vietnam experience, but
more than 80 percent of the Vietnam veterans who come home have made the
1 This is & draft. Substantial changes are likely after full coordination with affected agencies and
staff.
34
35
not now involved in efforts to assist those Vietnam veterans with particular needs;
It will recognize that Vietnam veterans are a leadership resource, not a group to be
The Program is thus aimed at what might be called "causalties" of the war-
pitied or to be treated as victims; It will affect national defense in perhaps a modest,
people whose lives have been strongly adversely affected by wartime service, whose
but direct way. By affirming the integrity of military service during the Vietnam
"career path" was disrupted or broken, or whose lives have never been whole since,
War, the program will help serve to restore a national perception that military
whose promise was blighted by the war experience. The client focus is Vietnam
service is an honorable calling.
veterans who served in the war zone, not "Vietnam-era" veterans.
While most Vietnam veterans have made a satisfactory readjustment to civilian
I. BACKGROUND
life, a substantial number of such veterans are still experiencing readjustment
problems including lack of education, structural underemployment and unemployment due
A. Program objectives
to psychological and substance abuse problems. These veterans are concentrated, in large part,
ACTION volunteers will use their leadership, management and other professional
in major urban areas, may be disabled, are likely to be minorities, and on the average are
skills, and community and local government contacts to encourage Vietnam veter-
over 30 years of age. These problems experienced by these veterans often do not occur singly,
ans to make full use of all government and veterans organization programs and
but in multiples. Moreover, readjustment problems seem to be directly related to service in
resources that aid Vietnam veterans. The volunteers will donate professional serv-
Vietnam. A 1980 study conducted by the Center for Policy Research for the VA observed
ices and resources as appropriate.
that many veterans still show some residual disadvantage in educational and occupational at-
ACTION will assist the new source of volunteers, the Vietnam veterans, by structuring this
tainment, especially in the case of Vietnam veterans. The study concluded that "military duty
project, utilizing our organization to provide technical assistance so that the Vietnam veteran
in Vietnam had a negative effect on post-military achievement.' During the first year of opeΓa-
volunteers in each community will:
tion, half of the Vietnam Veterans visiting the VA's Vet Centers reported there were also signifi-
1. Increase the receptivity of employers in each community to hiring Vietnam
cant employment problems. There is a need therefore to develop a services system for these
veterans, through contacts with Vietnam veterans occupying key positions in
veterans which is capable of addressing a number of different needs at once.
business and industry;
2. Persuade local institutions to make more resources available to the solu-
tion of Vietnam veterans' problems;
3. Encourage and help Vietnam veterans to make full use of all federal, state,
HI. HISTORY
and community government activities that support them (for example: pro-
grams of VA, HHS, DOL and SBA).
The veterans services delivery system is a patchwork quilt of programs and
4. Encourage and help Vietnam veterans to make full use of all volunteer
benefits spread over federal, state, and local agencies. As such, service delivery in
activities that support them, expecially those of the veterans organizations;
most areas has failed to meet the needs of the veteran as a whole person, viewing
5. Aid and support (when appropriate) the Veterans Administration Vietnam
him or her as only a type of "program eligible." Efforts to coordinate services
veteran counseling centers; and
between (and very often within) agencies have been sporadic and program specific,
6. Encourage membership in veteran volunteer programs (such as Veterans
tending to become atrophied as initial program emphasis and interest declines.
Administration Volunteer Services).
Although the evolution of veterans programs spans a period of well over fifty
years, the diversification of veteran service is a relatively recent phenomenon which
B. Program implementation
has coincided with, and is the result of, the growth of social welfare, training, and
The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program will be headed by a National pro-
employment programs since the late fifties. For many years, the Veterans Adminis-
gram director and will focus its efforts in 50 communities nationwide at a cost of
tration was virtually the sole federal provider of veterans services, except for a
$2.0 million per year through the end of fiscal year 1984, when the federal role through
small employment program consigned to the Department of Labor. To date, the
ACTION will phase out. Recognizing the differences among communities, the program will
general public still perceives the VA as the only provider of services to veterans.
encourage and assist local initiative among Vietnam veteran leaders, rather than impose a
The growth of social programs, particularly those administered by the Depart-
single design on all 50 communities. To do this, assessment of the needs of Vietnam veterans
ments of Labor and Health and Human Services considerably broadened the range
in each community will be conducted prior to the formal implementation of the Program in
of services available to veterans. While veterans were sometimes initially targeted
the community. ACTION will assist in the development of a volunteer advisory committee
under these programs for emphasis, more often these programs added Vietnam
and interagency coordinating meetings in each area. These groups will design a Vietnam veterans
veterans as a target group only after their readjustment problems became a matter
leadership plan, tailored to meet the needs of Vietnam Veterans living in the community and
of public concern in the late sixties and early seventies. Most importantly, these
to assure full use of existing resources.
new social programs increasingly tended toward community operation and control
Each community program will have a project director to serve as a catalyst for
as they evolved, thus creating complex community social services networks and
volunteer activity. The directors will be able and successful Vietnam veterans who
spawning numerous community service delivery agencies designed to serve specific
are willing to contribute a portion of their lives to help their fellow veterans before
client groups. Partly because Vietnam veterans as a target group were a late entry
returning to their businesss or professions.
into these programs and partly because their problems were perceived as the sole
deliverer of services, a community coordinated network of veteran services failed to
C. The volunteers sought by ACTION
coalesce.
The Vietnam veteran volunteers sought by ACTION are typically successful bank-
Many large cities still have not evolved either community based service organiza-
ers, corporate and labor union executives, businessmen, entrepreneurs, attorneys,
tions for veterans or the service network necessary to address the needs of disabled
accountants, medical or other professionals. They can offer these specialized skills
and Vietnam veterans experiencing multiple readjustment problems.
as volunteers.
In the last two years, however, three developments have altered this picture. One
Probably more importantly, they have in common stature and affiliations within
is the VA outreach center program. These centers are in over 90 cities nationwide
their communities. The plan is to encourage them to exercise their stature and
and provide a focus for counselling, "rapping", and referrals.
affiliations in order to help other Vietnam veterans.
A second development is the Department of Labor's Targeted Technical Assist-
The volunteers in each community will be headed by a local chairman. The
ance initiatives, which is a Federally funded outreach office now operating in 10
volunteers will participate in drawing up a city project plan and will assume the
cities which provides help to Vietnam veterans in obtaining these services within
various tasks in its execution. They will be coordinated through the paid local
the community: Employment; Vocational training; Education; Discharge upgrade;
project director.
Assistance to incarcerated veterans; Services to parolees; Substance abuse help;
Family services; Mental health; Legal services; Business development and funding;
II. THE TARGET CLIENT POPULATION
Coordination and follow-up with VA veterans outreach center.
This program is aimed at helping Vietnam veterans who have lingering problems
Third, the Disabled American Veterans has in place in about 100 cities or commu-
associated with their Vietnam military service.
nities a counselling activity for Vietnam veterans. This is funded by DAV, without
Federal funds. The program is well conceived and advertised.
37
36
Director of ACTION. All local VVLPs will in turn report to the National Program
IV. ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER
Director.
The NPD will have a small professional staff to:
While these programs have gone a long way in reaching out to assist the Vietnam
1. Develop and Supervise community needs assessments; evaluate needs assess-
veteran, they are not enough. A strong commitment is needed from business,
ment reports and recommend site selection to the Director of ACTION.
industry, organized labor and government, as well as the professional community to
insure that Vietnam veterans are finally brought home. The Leadership program
2. Approve Veterans Leadership plans for each community and issue grants for
purposes to obtain that commitment through successful Vietnam veterans who
approved plans.
occupy key positions in their business, professional and workday lives.
3. Assist local communities in the recruitment of volunteers. Potential leadership
There are these three general areas of work for VVLP volunteers:
volunteers will be located and contacted by the OVVLP in consultation with the
(a) Help to assure the best possible coordination, within each community, of the
National Volunteer Advisory Committee.
work of the several Vietnam veterans related activities already under way in the
4. Supervise the conduct of each approved project; monitor monthly reports;
establish and conduct evaluations.
community.
(b) Assist the existing activities to penetrate successfully to the highest levels of
5. Provide technical assistance to projects by maintaining models to be regularly
authority in the local business, labor union, and governmental hierarchy in obtain-
disseminated to project directors.
ing money, jobs for veterans, prompt attention to veterans needs, and publicity.
6. Conduct training for project directors and assess the need for future training on
(c) Work, as appropriate, one-on-one with Vietnam veterans who want specific
an ongoing basis.
advice or ideas related to the decisions and problems in their lives.
PART II.-DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE LOCAL PROJECTS
V. PROGRAM PHASES
I. SITE SELECTION
The program will begin in up to ten communities and will be judged according to
such pre-determined criteria for success as quality and quantity of volunteers, cost,
The VVLP will focus its program efforts in fifty communities nationwide through
effectiveness in bringing veterans who need help into existing programs, and ap-
the end of fiscal year 1984. Up to Ten such communities will be selected for a twelve
proval by Vietnam veterans. The pilot phase will last long enough to assure ade-
month pilot phase. Selection of project sites will be made by the Director of
quate learning. There will be one-year build-up to a 50-community/city operational
ACTION, based on:
phase. The operational phase will last two years.
A. Concentration of Vietnam Veterans;
The pilot phase is needed to spot the tasks which volunteers can best perform and
B. Unemployment rate in the area;
to identify the best manner to provide training if needed for volunteers and to
C. Geographical distribution of target communities;
coordinate volunteer activities in the community. The pilot phase will also test
D. Mix of urban, suburban and rural sites;
methods for bringing more Vietnam veterans into existing programs of federal,
E. Community responsiveness and commitment to Vietnam Veterans.
state, and local government, as well as national and local veterans organization
programs.
II. NEEDS ASSESSMENT
A key factor in the planning and pilot phase will be to identify any special
training or needs of the community project directors. The directors, for example,
Prior to final selection of a given community, assessment of Vietnam veteran
will have to be familiar with the capabilities and needs of the major federal
needs and community resources will be conducted, based primarily upon data accu-
programs for veterans (such as those in the VA and DOL) and also the programs of
mulated through DoL and the VA. The Director of ACTION will advise the Veter-
veterans organizations.
ans Working Group of the White House Cabinet Council on Health and Human
The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program is intended to be a short term, cost-
Resources of preliminary selections scheduled for assessment. Agency members will
effective volunteer program and therefore ACTION's role is scheduled to phase out
be requested to contact their appropriate field units in each city and request their
by September 30, 1984. Prior to the program's termination date, ACTION will
full cooperation. Agency members will then advise ACTION of designated points of
provide training and development of a turnover plan in which the federal role can
contact in the field, and provide pertinent narrative and statistical data on applica-
be assumed by the communities themselves.
ble programs serving veterans.
Under the supervision of the National Program Director, an assessment team will
VI. ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL
be dispatched to the community for an onsite review. A formal report will be
A. National co-chairmen
submitted upon completion of the review.
The needs assessment team will report on the following:
A group of national co-chairmen will be established to advise the Director of
1. Demographic characteristics of the community and the Vietnam veterans resid-
ACTION on programs and policies to increase the effectiveness of the VVLP. The
ing therein.
Co-Chairmen will also assist in identification of key local volunteers and organiza-
2. Identification of principal needs of Vietnam veterans, including employment,
tions which could aid in program development. The Co-Chairmen will be selected by
training, education, legal assistance, housing, medical, and mental health.
the Director of ACTION, and will consist, like their local counterparts, of Vietnam
veterans who have achieved a high degree of success in government, business,
3. Inventory of existing resources and the degree to which they are currently able
to meet the identified needs.
industry and labor. The Co-Chairmen will be Vietnam veterans of national promi-
nence whose participation in and support for the program will generate interest and
4. Needs unmet by existing resources and present efforts to resolve the problem.
initiative in the program at the federal, state and local levels.
5. Analysis of current leadership structure, if any, among Vietnam veterans in
the community including the role of veterans organizations.
B. Interagency coordination
6. Identification of potential nonprofit project sponsors.
Interagency coordination will be the responsibility of the Veterans Working
7. Recommendations for possible volunteer projects.
Group of the White House Council on Health and Human Resources. The working
8. Identification of outstanding needs which may not be met VVLP efforts alone.
group will approve all program policy as it effects the work of federal agencies and
their grantees, as well as assure smooth coordination of federal agency field oper-
III. FINAL SITE SELECTION
ations in local communities with the activities of the VVLP. An executive commit-
tee of the working group, consisting of the Veterans Administration, the Depart-
The National Program Director will review the needs assessment report and
ment of Labor, and ACTION, will meet regularly to supervise the implementation of
evaluate the potential in the community for recruitment of volunteers. Based on
the program and develop policy changes, as needed.
these considerations, the NPD will recommend to the Director of ACTION whether
or not to designate the site for VVLP. Once the Director has made such a designa-
C. Program administration
tion, formal notification will be sent to the Veterans Working Group, appropriate
The VVLP will be administered by ACTION, the federal government's volunteer
members of Congress, and the Veterans Organizations.
agency. A national program director will be appointed who will report to the
38
39
IV. SELECTION OF LOCAL PROJECT SPONSOR
progress compared to quantitative project goals, and a narrative discussion of sig-
Based upon the recommendations of the needs assessment report, the National
nificant successes and problems.
Program Director will select a nonprofit organization which will serve as the project
Each VVLP program will be evaluated onsite by the national staff at least once a
sponsor. A grant containing clear operating guidelines, will be disbursed to the
year. During the first year of operation, however, there will be an evaluation of
sponsor. Such grants are anticipated to be relatively small (approximately $40,000
each program after both 90 days and nine months of operation. Special evaluations
each) and will normally include only the personnel cost and travel for local project
will be scheduled in addition for areas determined to be experiencing significant
directors. As noted above, office space, equipment, materials, clerical support and
difficulties.
supplies will be obtained from sources within the community. Each grant applica-
tion will specify these resources. Where no existing nonprofit sponsor is identified
PART III.-BUDGET
nor subsequently located, ACTION may create a non-profit agency to sponsor the
program.
BUDGET FOR VVLP, JULY 29, 1981
V. SELECTION OF PROJECT DIRECTOR
Attached are budget materials for the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
Following the completion of the grant process, the sponsor will select a project
(VVLP).
director, in accordance with guidelines to be established by ACTION. Project Direc-
Attachment A maps the program by phase and fiscal year. To determine our
tors will be responsible for planning and overseeing VVLP activities in the commu-
budget needs, there is used a "funding unit" which is defined as the initial cost of
nity, and serving as a catalyst for volunteer activities. Project directors will also be
one project for one year. Applying the funding unit to the project graph yields a
responsible for program logistics, to assure that maximum use is made of the
budget matrix by phase and fiscal year, in funding units. This matrix allows us to
limited time of volunteers. Like the volunteers to be recruited for the VVLP, project
project our budget needs based on a variety of single project budgets. A cost of living
directors will be able and successful Vietnam veterans with an excellent working
increase is built into the matrix at 5 percent per fiscal year.
knowledge of veterans needs and resources in their communities. The Director of ACTION
Attachment B presents a single project budget for a typical city. The budget
will have final approval authority in the hiring of all project directors.
allows for $150 in travel per month, since our directors should spend a lot of time
on the road. Built into each year's travel is also $700 for attendance at training
VI. FORMATION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES
conferences, which could be held either nationally or regionally.
Attachment C reduces Attachments A and B to a lifetime budget for the project
In each community, a dual advisory committee structure will be developed to
organize volunteer activities and program coordination and veterans programs. The
(i.e., through to September 30, 1984).
Volunteer Advisory Committee will serve as the focal point for recruitment of
volunteers and the implementation of volunteer programs. The Committee will
provide advice and assistance to the project director. The Interagency Coordinating
Committee will be responsible for assuring a smooth interface of volunteer efforts
with agency programs, as well as coordinating existing resources more efficiently.
The Interagency Coordinating Committee may also provide resources, where feasi-
ble, to support the project director and volunteer programs (i.e. space, equipment,
material, staff).
VII. THE VETERANS LEADERSHIP PLAN
Working with the advisory committees, and using the needs assessment report,
each project director will develop a Veterans Leadership Plan for the community.
The plan will include:
A. Assessment of the Vietnam veteran leadership in the community: who the
leaders/volunteers are or may be; their businesses or professions and potential
availability.
B. Volunteer Recruitment Plan, including establishment of a volunteer bank.
C. Identification of needs to be targeted by the VVLP.
D. Activity Plan-This section is the core of the leadership plan and will be keyed
to the needs identified in item C. It will include a description of specific tasks, their
purpose, volunteer and other resources needed to complete the tasks and measures
of output.
A list of tasks might include: A Vietnam veteran job bank by Vietnam veteran
employers; Vietnam Veterans Employers Association; Business development assist-
ance by Vietnam veteran bankers, businessmen and attorneys; Vietnam veterans
hotline, staffed by volunteers; Vietnam veterans local publication or newspaper
column; pro bono legal medical and mental health sources; private sector assistance
for local veterans programs; Job Fairs; Vietnam veterans art; photo exhibitions, as
well as support for production of plays, etc.; community awards program for employ-
ers, business, etc.; union apprenticeship or on the job programs.
E. Time table for implementation, projected through the end of fiscal year 1984.
F. Training Needs and Plans.
The training plan will be submitted to the National Program Director for approv-
al. Prior to the beginning of each subsequent fiscal year, project directors will
submit annual plans which may entail revisions of the original plan, based on
changing local conditions and needs.
VIII. REPORTING AND EVALUATION
Each project director will be required to submit a monthly report on significant
activities to the national program director. The reports will include information on
40
41
TABLE OF FUNDING UNITS, BY PHASE AND FISCAL YEAR
{1 funding unit equals initial cost of 1 program for 1 year]
Pilot cities
Regular program cities
Total
A
B
1
2
3
4
ATTACHMENT "A"
Fiscal year:
1982
5
5
10
10
30
1983
5.25
5.25
10.5
10.5
10.5
10.5
52.5
1984
5.51
4.13
5.51
2.76
11.03
8.27
37.21
Total
15.76
14.38
26.01
23.26
21.53
18.77
119.71
1 3/4
Assumption: All projects shut down Sept. 30, 1984.
4
(10)
Single project budget for 1 year
A. Direct costs:
1. Staff salaries
$36,000
Program Phases
(a) Director
27,000
(b) Secretary
9,000
2
2. Fringe benefits for staff at 20 percent of salary
7,200
3
(10)
3. Staff travel
2,500
(a) 667 miles per month at 22.5 cents per mile times 12 months.
1,800
(b) Airfare for TNG conference
325
PROGRAM PHASES AND FUNDING CYCLE
(c) Per diem for TNG conference at $75 per day times 5 equals.
375
4. Materials and supplies
(1)
5. Communications (telephone and postage)
(1)
6. Supportive services (includes rent equipment)
(1)
2
(10)
2%
Total direct costs
45,700
B. Indirect costs: Overhead, general and administrative costs at 15
percent of direct costs
6,855
Total annual budget
52,555
1 Donated.
1
2½
VIETNAM VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, 3-YEAR BUDGET
(01)
[Funding units equals $52,555]
Funding units
Budget
2 3/4
Fiscal year:
1982
30
$1,576,650
B
(5)
1983
52.5
2,759,138
1984
37.21
1,955,572
Pilot Cities
Total
119.71
6,291,360
National staff and overhead (equal portions among fiscal years 1982, 1983, 1984)
208,640
Total
6,500,000
V
(5)
3
PART IV.-CALENDAR OF MILESTONES
VIETNAM VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
82
83
84
TOTAL
Summary Calendar of Objectives
FY
Goal and planned period of accomplishment
Fund 50 VVLP administered by 50 local project directors with a minimum of 10
leadership volunteers per project:
42
43
a. 5 pilot projects in place and operating-by September 30, 1981.
July 1981
b. Up to 5 additional projects in place and operating-by December 31, 1981.
a. Assure fully adequate budgeting for Program for fiscal year 1981, 1982, 1983
C. Evaluation of existing projects-by December 31, 1981.
(See June).
d. Commence buildup to operational phase-by December 31, 1981.
b. Staff the OVVLP. Begin to acquire office space, furniture, file cabinets, type-
e. Additional 10 projects in place and operating-by March 31, 1982.
writers, as needed.
f. Additional 10 projects in place and operating-by June 30, 1982.
c. Gather comments on VVLP Operating Plan from ACTION headquarters person-
g. Additional 10 projects in place and operating-by September 30, 1982.
nel.
h. Additional 10 projects in place and operating to reach total of 50-by December
d. Continue recruiting and interviewing of local Project directors in pilot cities.
31, 1982.
Select first 5 or 6 by 31 July, if possible.
i. Terminate ACTION participation in operational phase-by October 1, 1984.
e. Continue recruiting of leadership volunteers in pilot cities.
f. Work with pilot city directors and volunteers to develop city plans (city plan
Detailed Planning Calendar
includes need, assessment and project plan; follows model of Draft Guideline for
Potential ACTION Sponsors); also identify (and help create, if necessary) Sponsors.
May 1981
g. Finish paperwork so that initial grants are ready to be made for pilot city upon
go-ahead from ACTION Director. Make start-up grants as soon as possible, begin-
a. Feasibility research (through canvass of existing and past federal veterans
ning in July if possible.
programs). Coordination and approvals for Program concept from White House, VA,
h. Major coordination meeting in Baltimore with civic leaders (see (j) in June).
HHS, DoL.
i. National Co-Chairmen (and those city chairmen who have been selected).
b. Coordinate with DAV, VFW, AL.
j. Travel to pilot cities to stimulate and recruit volunteers, aid in preparation of city plans,
C. Designate Pilot cities: Baltimore, San Antonio, Denver, Pittsburgh, Wilmington
and establish Sponsors.
(Del.), Austin-Waco.
k. Begin assessment of training needs for (a) local directors; and (b) volunteers.
d. Identify some local Project Director candidates in Baltimore, Wilmington,
1. Interagency coordination. Plan monthly meetings.
Austin-Waco.
m. Begin to identify possible directors and leadership volunteers in remaining 50
e. Identify some leadership in Baltimore and San Antonio.
cities.
f. Identify potential National Advisory Council members and cochairmen.
n. Continue refinement of needs assessment and local plan (See (n) for June).
g. Discussion and brainstorming session with leadership group of Vietnam veter-
Complete local operating plan.
ans in Washington, D.C.
0. Monthly status reports from local directors to OVVLP; status report to Direc-
h. Informal Cabinet approval and White House approval of Program.
tor.
i. Research visit to Baltimore.
August 1981
j. Initial press announcements.
a. Arrange September planning and training conference in Washington for (5 or
June 1981
6) local project directors and key volunteers. This conference can either (a) be held
a. Plan fully adequate ZBB budgeting for Program in fiscal year 1983 and fiscal
for all in Washington; or (b) headquarters staff can travel to local cities. In addition,
year 1984 Budgets. This includes national staff salaries, local project director and
the ACTION regional and state Office heads and staff in the pilot city areas will be
secretary salaries (local office space to be donated), telephone, office equipment and
fully briefed on the Program. While the Program will be run directly from OVVLP
supplies, and travel: travel for national staff, local project directors, training of and
in Washington, state and regional offices will provide support as requested by
conferences, including travel for job interviews with Director for local project direc-
OVVLP through DO.
tors and travel for local chairmen.
b. Monthly interagency coordination meeting.
b. Plan fully adequate budgeting for fiscal year 1982 for pilot and buildup phase
C. Continue recruiting of volunteers and directors in pilot cities (as needed).
(See cost categories at (a) above).
d. Make start-up grants to pilot cities which did not receive grants in July.
c. Plan fully adequate budgeting for remainder of fiscal year 1981 (See cost
e. Receive initial city plans from pilot city directors. Review plans and work with
categories at (a) above).
local directors to make necessary improvements.
d. Recruit National Co-chairmen.
f. Continue identification of local directors and leadership volunteers for remain-
e. Establish office of VVLP in ACTION (in Domestic Operations (DO)). Includes
ing 50 cities.
office space, secretarial (in addition to the present office at M-1000).
g. Finish training assessment ((k) in July). Prepare training program for Septem-
ber conference ((a) above).
f. Establish supporting Task Force designated within DO. The DO Task Force will
provide necessary administrative support for OVVLP.
h. Refine needs assessment. Arrange for continuous updating (See (n) in June).
g. Coordinate draft VVLP Operating Plan within ACTION. Secure comments and
i. Monthly status reports from local directors to OVVLP; status report to Director.
refine.
September 1981
h. Brief ACTION Washington headquarters personnel on VVLP (Informal brief-
a. Planning and training conference ((a) from August).
ings).
b. Monthly interagency coordination meeting.
i. Begin active recruiting of project directors for pilot cities. Bring candidates to
C. Start-up grants made to remaining pilot cities.
Washington for interviews.
d. Pilot City plans refined and approved.
j. OVVLP volunteer recruiting visit to Baltimore. Plan July meeting with volun-
e. White House meetings for key personnel (See (q) in June).
teers and city leadership with Director, in Baltimore.
f. Continue identification of local project directors and volunteers in 50 cities.
k. Initiate task force to get grants under way for pilot cities. Task force will be
g. Coordinate President's Veterans Day proclamation with White House.
headed by acting director of OVVLP. This task force will write out necessary
h. Identify up to 5 or more cities to begin operations during October-December
policies and guidelines.
1981. Recruit local directors and volunteers. Invite to conference (See (a)) if ap-
1. Coordinate planning with HHS, DoL, VA, other affected agencies.
propriate.
m. Begin compiling a comprehensive needs assessment for Vietnam Veterans: (A)
i. Begin Pilot Program Assessment, to be completed by 15 December and given to
national, (b) city-by-city. This assessment is critical. Upon completion, it must be
Director. Make full outline. Assure that local directors compile and provide enough
updated. First draft in June.
information to make a useful assessment. Assessment will include examination of
n. First draft of detailed organization and operating plan for city operations (this
any staffing or organizational change or augmentation needed in OVVLP.
will become Part II of this).
j. Update needs assessment.
O. Notify President's speechwriting staff that this Program may be appropriate
k. Monthly status reports to OVVLP; status report to Directors.
item for mention in President's Veterans Day Proclamation.
October 1981
p. Propose White House meetings for key participants in Program, to be held in
July, August, or September. (Coordinate with Morton Blackwell).
a. Continue preparation of Pilot Program Assessment.
44
45
b. Continue Coordination of President's Veterans Day proclamation.
c. Begin city plans, recruiting, hiring, and start-up grants to up to 5 more cities.
b. Commence recruiting of local project directors and volunteers in 10 additional
d. Monthly interagency coordination meeting.
cities.
e. Refine and standardize training materials for volunteers and for local directors
c. Conduct training and planning sessions for new and existing local project
(finish in November).
directors and leadership volunteers.
f. Update needs assessment.
d. Finish fiscal year 1984 OMB budget processing.
g. Continue to identify potential local directors and leadership volunteers in 50
e. Continue volunteer recognition activities.
cities.
f. Continue monthly needs update, status reports, and interagency coordination
h. Monthly status reports to OVVLP; status report to Director.
meeting.
November 1981
g. Quarterly evaluation of projects existing as of June 30, 1982.
a. Final coordination on President's Veterans Day proclamation.
October 1, 1982-September 30, 1983 (Equals Fiscal Year 1983)
b. Monthly interagency coordination meeting.
c. Update needs assessment.
Operational Phase-50 cities in Operation.
d. Continue preparation of Pilot Program Assessment. First draft finished by
a. Put 10 cities into full operation.
November 20.
b. Commence recruiting for last 10 cities; put into full operation by December 31,
e. Continue city plans, recruiting, hiring, and start-up grants for the additional
1982.
cities (if appropriate) (See (c) in October).
C. Conduct training and planning as needed.
f. Complete refining and standardizing training package for volunteers and local
d. Continue volunteer recognition, monthly needs update, interagency coordina-
directors (See (e) in October).
tion meetings, status reports, and chairmen meetings.
g. Update needs assessment.
e. Identify city projects which may wish to continue operations after phase-out of
h. Plan December training for personnel in new cities added in October-Decem-
ACTION participation at end of fiscal year 1984 (September 30, 1984).
ber.
f. Begin preparation of plan to enable city projects which will wish to continue
i. Continue to identify potential local directors and leadership volunteers in 50
operations to secure their own funding and continue after fiscal year 1984.
cities.
j. Monthly status reports to OVVLP; status reports to Director.
October 1, 1983-September 30, 1984 (Equals Fiscal Year 1984)
December 1981
Operational Phase-50 cities in Operation-last year or ACTION participation.
a. Implement plan to assist city projects, which wish to, to continue past Septem-
a. Monthly interagency coordination meeting.
ber 30 (without ACTION funding).
b. Revise Pilot Program Assessment.
b. Plan wind-down of funding and of volunteer and local director operations.
c. Update needs assessment.
Implement wind-down in period July-September.
d. Training sessions (in Washington or on site) for newly added cities.
c. Continue volunteer recognition, monthly needs update, interagency coordina-
e. December 15: Pilot Program Assessment to Director (This constitutes the status
tion meetings, status reports, and chairmen meetings.
report for December).
d. Conduct training and planning as needed.
f. Go operational (50 cities): December 31, 1981.
e. Participate in ACTION OPP project to identify follow-on three-year ACTION
January-February-March 1982
project (not necessarily related to Veterans), to utilize ACTION staff freed-up by
a. Implement any organizational or staff changes or augmentation deemed neces-
wind-down of VVLP.
sary on basis of Pilot Program Evaluation.
b. Commence recruiting of local project directors and volunteers in additional
cities (10 cities to be brought into the Program during this quarter).
THE VIETNAM VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM-REPRESENTATIVE BIOGRAPHIES
c. Continue monthly needs update and status reports to OVVLP and Director.
d. Conduct training and planning sessions for new and existing local project
ACTION DIRECTOR: VETS ARE WINNERS
directors and leadership volunteers.
e. Receive budget call from OPP; prepare fiscal year 1984 OMB budget materials.
f. Plan suitable Memorial Day event or statement (if appropriate) (coordinate with
Hon. Thomas Weir Pauken, Director, ACTION
White House).
Tom Pauken left his law practice in Texas to head the agency which houses
g. Meeting of National Advisory Council. Propose meeting at White House for
Federal volunteer programs. He directs the activities of some 300,000 Americans
next quarter.
who serve as volunteers in ACTION programs.
h. Quarterly evaluation of projects existing as of 31 December.
Pauken graduated from Georgetown University in 1965 and two years later
i. Plan a volunteer recognition system (low-key recognition).
enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served in Vietnam, He earned his law degree
j. Implement any organizational or staff changes or augmentation deemed neces-
from Southern Methodist University in 1973.
sary on basis of Pilot Program Evaluation.
"The Vietnam veteran was portrayed in the late 1960's and early 1970's as little
April-May-June 1982
more than a drug crazed killer. Now we are portrayed as guilt-ridden victims.
a. Put 10 new city projects from previous quarter into full operation; issue grants.
I've had enough,' said Pauken recently. "More than 80 percent of Vietnam veterans
b. Commence recruiting of local project directors and volunteers in additional
who came home have made the successful transition back to civilian life and are
cities (10 more cities to be brought into the program during the quarter).
doing fine. There are those that still do need help but it does them no service to
c. Conduct training and planning sessions for new and existing local project
encourage them to wallow in self-pity to reinforce their doubts about their own self
directors and leadership volunteers.
worth."
d. Memorial Day Meeting of National and local Chairmen (Include White House
"I have been tremedously impressed by the calibre of men who want to partici-
meeting if possible).
pate in the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. We want it known that there is
e. Quarterly evaluation of projects existing as of March 31, 1982.
no shame or stigma to being a veteran of the Vietnam War."
f. Complete bulk of fiscal year 1984 OMB budget materials.
He continued, "We may not yet comprehend the full meaning of that common
g. Implement volunteer recognition plan.
experience which Vietnam veterans shared, which somehow binds us together in
h. Continue monthly needs update and status reports to OVVLP and Director.
spite of our disparate backgrounds and viewpoints. Yet of one thing I am certain-
July-August-September 1982
there is no better way to insure that those who gave their lives for our country will
not be forgotten than for the returning veterans to demonstrate that we are capable
a. Put 10 new city projects from previous quarter into full operation; issue grants.
of exercising the kind of leadership so badly needed in America today."
46
47
VET PROGRAM DIRECTOR DID IT FOR TOMMY
David worked as public relations voluneer with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Fund raising monies for the Memorial. "My father was a Marine in charge of fund
John P. Wheeler III, National Program Director
raising for the Iwo Jima Memorial," he paused. "I looked around and asked,
'Where's ours?"
"The men who served in Vietnam have a tremendous amount to offer this
country-because of the hardships of their service they are stronger and more
Ironically, he accepted his post with ACTION's Leadership Program over lunch at
mature. Hardly a day goes by when.
I don't hear from at least one Vietnam
a Vietnamese restaurant. "I'm honored," he continued. "There's very important
veteran who has made a good, busy life for himself and wants to know what he can
work to do. For years I've thought that veterans need to be taken care of by
do to help other veterans. What we are doing in a careful, methodical way is
veterans. I'm ready to go!"
sending a bolt of electricity through the network of able veterans who want to help
others.'
Jack Wheeler was commissioned from West Point as a Distinguished Cadet in
SAN ANTONIO VET PLANS TO "SET RECORD STRAIGHT"
1966, holds an M.B.A. from Harvard and graduated with honors from Yale Law
School. Wheeler, 36, was a captain with the Army's general staff in Vietnam. He
John D. Baines, Chairman, San Antonio Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
returned from Vietnam to Washington, D.C. working on the staff of the Secretary of
Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As President of John D. Baines Properties Inc., John, 35, has brokered and/or
Although he returned confident he had left the war behind, every spring Jack
developed commercial real estate throughout the Southwestern United States. His
found himself remembering his friend Tom Hayes, a West Point classmate. In a fire-
firm has been quite active as well with real estate investments from Great Britain,
fight in 1968, Tommy dragged first one, then another of his wounded men across a
West Germany, Canada, the Bahamas and Mexico.
rice paddy to safety. Marked a target of choice, Tommy was killed that April day by
From 1968-1970 Baines was a member of Navy Seabee Team No. 0316 serving in
enemy fire.
Quang Tri, Dong Ha, Khe Sanh and Hue. His primary function was building
One spring day, with the memory of Tommy's life and death lingering, "it dawned
firebases, landing zones and, he says, "building what was the longest bridge in
on me that there was important unfinished business," says Jack.
Vietnam at the time."
The author of newspaper and other articles on the Vietnam war and its veterans,
"I guess I'm like a lot of people. The Vietnam war and my involvement in it are
Wheeler was instrumental in organizing and building the Southeast Asia Memorial
very sensitive matters with me. The current position that there may still be prison-
at West Point. In collaboration with the Washington Post he is soon to publish the
ers in Vietnam troubles me gravely," says Baines.
book The Wounded Gerneration. Co-founder of the extraordinarily successful Viet-
When he returned home from Southeast Asia, John began his career in the real
nam Veterans Memorial Fund he writes: "The battlefield, for most men, nurtured
estate business because although he had only one year left to graduate, he found it
the recognition that sacrifice is a part of any strong community. The typical act of gallantry
difficult to adjust to college life.
wasn't assaulting the foe; it was saving a friend's life."
"I realize that while I worked hard these past ten years for everything I've got,
there are guys out there who haven't been quite so fortunate," says John. "I want to
help give them a chance to make something out of their lives."
J. P. RESIGNS TO HEAD VET PROJECT
He concludes, "This nation was ripped and torn apart by the Vietnam war and
the Leadership Program can pull it back together
This program can do more to
Wayne R. Hanby, Wilmington, Del. Program Director
reestablish patriotism in this country than anything that's been done before. We
"I wanted to be a baseball player more than anything," Wayne says, "and to
were patriots, not chumps! It's now time to set the record straight."
coach. I wanted to coach."
A Marine with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Vietnam 1968-70, Wayne was
wounded. He lost his left eye to the war, suffered shrapnel damage to the other and
TIME TO REMEMBER VETS SAYS BALTIMORE LAWYER
lost a hand.
"So, at 22 I had to take stock and reevaluate my whole life," he paused. "I had a
Mark C. Treanor, Chairman, Baltimore Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
fantasy of becoming a judge. I felt drawn to the law."
Hanby, 33, is a Justice of the Peace for the State of Delaware. He became the first
A graduate of the Naval Academy in 1968, Mark, 34, served with the 1st Marine
Justice of the Peace to be invited to swear in that state's legislators.
Division as a rifle platoon commander in Vietnam in 1969-1970.
And he still plans to go to law school. "I'll get there," he says and adds firmly, "I
After his tour of Vietnam he spent three and one-half years in the Marine Corps
don't like to fall short.'
as an artillery battery commander, aide de camp to the Commander of the Second
"I am impressed with the commitment of the Leadership Program to actually
Marine Division and instructor at The Basic School. Treanor is now an attorney
doing something. I'm willing to resign the two years remaining on my current
with the Baltimore law firm of Miles & Stockbridge.
appointment to give this a go.
"It's been a long time since anyone has done anything at a senior level to afford
successful veterans the opportunity to help those who are not yet so successful. I
think we all want to be involved, and I think Baltimore is going to prove to be an
BALTIMORE VET PROGRAM HEAD "READY TO GO"
excellent place to start. Baltimore is in the forefront of the American cities which
are being revitalized. It combines a business community having a sense of leader-
John David DeChant, Baltimore Program Director
ship and public spirit with a diversity of multiple ethnic and social groups, each of
"I've often thought that America is like an Olympic champion who has been
which has its own community and public spirit. And those communities are the
deeply wounded by Vietnam," says David DeChant, 34. "This great athlete has
home of nearly one hundred thousand Vietnam veterans. Many of those men are an
bandaged the wound but underneath it has become infected. Until the bandages are
untapped source of quiet leadership, self-sacrifice and patriotism which we want to
torn off and the wound is cleaned and allowed to heal, the very essence of the
put to good use now. Treanor reflects, "A lot of us who are Vietnam veterans have
champion is affected.'
tended to put the war out of our minds for the last ten years or so as we moved
David spent 31 months in Vietnam. For part of his tour he was a liaison with
forward with other aspects of our lives. But I find that there are many of us who
military and civilian leaders and was also a Marine scout. "I spent 13 months in
served in Vietnam who now want to remember-not the war, but the warriors. We
combat making life and death decisions every day," he says. "Yet when I returned
have no desire to debate the merits of the war, but we do want to use whatever
home I worked filing 3x5 cards. I was upset."
talents we have to help those men who did their duty with us but who have not had
Currently the manager of the Dubliner Restaurant in Washington, D.C., David
the same good fortune in their lives which we have experienced since our service.
plans to use his degree in Chinese language and area studies to move into interna-
For too long many of us forgot about those who were there with us." He concludes,
tional relations influencing foreign policy. "Ever since I watched the media coverage
"If we weren't personally scarred, there is a tendency to forget. Now it's time to
of the Russian tanks invading Hungary in 1956, I have wanted to work in the area
remember."
of foreign policy," he says.
49
48
Last May Huffman became the first blind student to graduate from Delaware Law
School.
MARINE LEADER TO HEAD SAN ANTONIO VET PROGRAM
"I have a special feeling for the Vietnam veteran. He's had bad press. This
program will take a different approach and it's a great idea," David comments.
William C. Stensland, San Antonio Program Director
Asked what he would say if he had an opportunity to speak with the President,
David did not hesitate. With a soft chuckle he replied, "It won't be too long now
Bill Stensland, 43, left active Marine Corps service as a Major with 15 years of
before a Vietnam veteran has your job!"
service as a result of war wounds.
He was a company commander in Quang Tri in 1967 when he was wounded.
Stensland returned to Vietnam in 1970 as an advisor in the Rungsat Special Zone-
VET PROJECT DEPUTY SEPARATES WARRIOR FROM WAR
the point of entry for all shipping south of Saigon. He was again wounded.
Bill Stensland is one of the most respected of Vietnam's combat leaders. Several
Edward T. Timperlake, Deputy Director
marines have said, "If I had to go back and could pick my commander I'd choose
Stensland, hands down."
"I authored a position paper a long time age," says Timperlake, 34, "voicing my
"I want to be involved with the Leadership Program," says Bill. "A lot of people
concerns that the public was blaming the warrior for the war. They are two very
are hurting and hurting very, very deeply. There is pain over what happened in the
separate issues."
war, but there is even a deeper pain because of what happened, or didn't happen,
Ed, an Annapolis graduate and Marine officer, was stationed in Thailand and flew
when we returned. That's what this work is about now."
F-4's in Southeast Asia. Before taking his position as Deputy Director with the
Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program he headed a team under contract to the
Office of the Secretary of Defense analyzing the national security balance between
the Soviets and U.S.
VET WHO CONQUERED MOUNT RANIER TO HEAD PHILADELPHIA PROJECT
"Although I personally refuse to concede the moral high ground to those that
opposed the war, I feel separating respect for the warrior from the issue of the war
Chuck O'Brien Chairman, Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
would greatly aid in a destroying a stereotype. The Vietnam veteran has been
In 1970, as a platoon leader with the 9th Infantry Division, Chuck O'Brien was
portrayed as a loser," he says. "It is long past time to turn that one around. I came
airborne and ranger qualified. He fought in Cambodia, was wounded and lost part of
aboard the Leadership Program because I want to do anything I can to change the
his leg.
image. Stereotyping the Vietnam veteran as a loser, sucker, guilty victim. ad
"I've emerged from the experience with a positive attitude," he said. "And I went
nauseum, is wrong. It is a cliche that is bad for the veteran and bad for the
on to teach skiing to the handicapped in New England. We put a lot of emphasis on
country."
restoring confidence in physical ability."
THE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IS NEEDED NOW
Last July 3 Chuck was the first of a group of eight handicapped people to reach
the summit of Mt. Ranier. The group returned from the mountain on Independence
Luis Sanz, M.D., Adviser
Day and received national recognition for their climb, including honors bestowed by
President Reagan.
Dr. Luis Sanz, 38, was a combat medic in Vietnam in 1968 with the 29th Evacua-
"I discovered I have a natural affinity for Vietnam veterans," says O'Brien, who
tion Hospital.
is now an attorney with the Philadelphia law firm of Pepper, Hamilton and Sheetz.
"For a long time it was a striking thing to me that men could go through what
"They are more disciplined, more generous and cooperative under pressure. And I
they went through over there and not get any credit for it at all when they got
just like their company. I've worked in the state government and the private sector
home," commented Dr. Sanz.
and I know that to succeed requires hard work and discipline. These are character-
Sanz graduated from college in three years after returning from Vietnam and
istics of the men who served in Vietnam."
finished medical school at the top of his class. He now practices obstetrics and
"These men have labored under tremendous disadvantages," he points out.
gynecology and is a full time faculty member at Georgetown University.
"They've had 2-4 years taken from them. Persons my age who were not in the
"It was frustrating," he says of his homecoming, "to be one day in a place where
service are now partners in their firms. This is a fundamental inequity and yet one
people are dying all around you and the next day in San Francisco where life is
that can be worked around."
going on as usual and to have no real acknowledgement of that."
He adds, "I wouldn't change a single thing that's occurred in my life. We need to
Dr. Sanz said, "The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program is a positive thing.
reassure other veterans that the experience is one that can be built upon, that we
It's important to make the distinction that the problems of that time were polictical
can actually provide assistance to help regain those 2-4 years."
but that the soldier who served was not. He was simply doing his duty. Thousands
of men returned and have done very well and been successful in their businesses
and professions. The true picture of the Vietnam veteran is not one of a loser. The
EX-POW TO LEAD LEADERSHIP
Leadership Program is needed now. It is much better to have it now than never at
all."
John S. McCain, Phoenix Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program Adviser
McCain, 45, was a Navy pilot when he was shot down in Vietnam. He was a
AUTHOR VOICES SUPPORT FOR VET PROGRAM
prisoner of war in North Vietnam from 1967-73.
John is the Vice President of Public Relations for Hensley & Co., Anheuser-Busch
James Webb, Adviser
distributor of Phoenix, Arizona.
"My greatest concern is how a society views itself and what values this society is passing
"Both my father and grandfather were Navy. I served as Navy liaison to the U.S.
down to the next generation," says Jim Webb, best-selling author of two novels based on
Senate." He continued, "The Leadership Program is vital and necessary. It will,
his Vietnam experience, Fields of Fire, and A Sense of Honor.
hopefully, rectify a lot of neglect and errors that have taken place in the last few
years concerning Vietnam veterans."
A 1968 Annapolis graduate, Webb was a Marine company commander in Viet-
nam, where he was twice wounded.
After a law degree at Georgetown University he became counsel to the House
Veterans Affairs Committee and taught poetry and the novel at the Naval Acade-
BLINDED VET SETS SIGHTS ON WHITE HOUSE
my,
"We are in a watershed time in this country," Webb has said. "I think people are
David L. Huffman, Program Planner
starting to look around for new answers and when they look around for new
David, 33, a Marine rifleman in Vietnam, was blinded in combat when a booby
answers they're going to be looking for new role models. I think what people are
trap detonated.
going to be looking for are individuals who have manifested a sense of country."
"You know, I flunked kindergarten, and 7th and 9th grades. After I came back from Viet-
nam I had to turn my life around. And I had to rely on my head."
50
51
"Essentially there has been a misconceptation about the upside of the people who
liaison between the Marines and the South Vietnamese Army throughout Quang
served in Vietnam," concluded Jim. "They are very strong people. With the Leader-
Nam Province.
ship Program we have an opporutnity to make this element of the Vietnam veter-
"I got hit a couple of times but I was lucky. It's been natural for me to always
ans constituency visible to the public. This program gives us the opportunity to
lend a hand or lend an ear to other veterans. We've had a lot of anguish to live
apply the aspects of our successes to the needs of those who have not yet had the
through these past ten years."
same good fortune in the years since service in Vietnam."
McCloskey adds, "These men are not looking for handouts. They can help them-
selves. Those of us who are involved in the Leadership Program are in positions to
take additional responsibility off the Federal government. Vietnam veterans are
VIETNAM VET GIVES OTHERS A BOOST
diamonds in the rough and the Leadership Program isn't just another veteran's
program. In a way, it's about polishing some of our country's finest diamonds."
John F. Nash, Jr., Adviser
Jock Nash, 35, was an infantry platoon commander in Vietnam in 1970-71. He
VETERANS PROGRAM LEADER EMPHASIZES INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
returned home, entered college and went on to earn a law degree from Georgetown
University.
Jock is the chief counsel and staff director of the Subcommittee on Regulatory
Kip Becker, Ph. D., Chairman, Wilmington Vietnam Veterans Leadership
Program
Reform, Judiciary Committee of the U.S. Senate.
"The first thing many of us discovered when we returned from Vietnam was that
Kip Becker, 35, is the Assistant Dean of the Behavioral Sciences Department and
we were only a small part of things. Most people had stayed home, gone to school
the M.B.A. Coordinator at Wilmington College. He holds two Master's degrees, a
and then gotten jobs. In very real terms we lost 5 years and they were crucial
doctorate and is currently working on a Master's in computer sciences.
years," Jock says.
In 1967-68 he was a helicopter pilot with the 119th Assault Helicopter company
He went on, "I love this country. I don't feel it owes us anything. But we have
in Vietnam.
some important and valuable skills that came into use during our years of service
"It's time to get away from the attitude of self-pity regarding Vietnam veterans.
and in the years since. All Vietnam veterans need is to be recognized. We shouldn't
We all had readjustment problems of one sort or another. Now it's time to get on
have to continue to sacrifice. As a group we've been on the fringes of doing
with it," Becker comments.
something very relevant with our lives; those 5 years may not make any difference 10 years
He continues, "The Leadership Program is in line with the President's attitude of
from now but, boy, right now they sure do."
moving the country forward away from government control and towards individual involve-
He concludes, "The Leadership Program is about giving Vietnam veterans a
ment and responsibility. We don't have to keep turning to the government-individually we
boost. Just to tell them that it's possible, to let them know they've got friends to
can take responsibility."
help them along."
DEPUTY DIRECTOR LOOKS TO FUTURE
VET CHAIRMAN DEEPLY COMMITTED
William Jayne, Deputy Director
Samuel W. Bartholomew, Chairman, Tennessee VVLP
Bill Jayne, 35, came to the Leadership Program from his position as Director of
"Vietnam changed my career and gave me a new outlook," says Sam Bartholo-
Information at the Associated General Contractors of America.
mew, 37, a founding partner of Donelson, Stokes and Bartholomew, a Nashville law
He served in Vietnam as a Marine rifleman in 1967-68 and was among the men wounded
firm.
in an ambush at Khe Sanh during the Tet offensive of 1968.
In 1968-69 Bartholomew was with the 3rd Squadron, 4th Calvary which patrolled
Jayne received his B.A. degree, with honors, from the University of California,
the Cambodian border. A West Point graduate, when he returned to the United
Berkeley and came to Washington to work for a trade magazine before joining the
States, Sam exchanged a military career for the legal profession in which he hoped
Associated General Contractors in 1977.
to impact on the political structure. He became a legislative assistant and campaign
A volunteer who helped launch the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, he says,
manager to Tennessee Senator Howard Baker while earning a law degree at Van-
"The whole subject of Vietnam has been, obviously, of great personal concern to me.
derbilt Law School. Out of a deep commitment to the political process he became active in
My work on the Memorial gave me an opportunity to do something useful with that
civic, business and political affairs in his state.
concern. Working with the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program is a natural
"I was disturbed at the politicization of the war," Sam said. "I felt then and still
progression for me."
do that without a united will we don't have much ability to accomplish the goals
He continues, "I have two children. That has a lot of bearing on my work with
we've set as a nation."
the Leadership Program. I want to do what I can to make sure the legacy of
He continues, "The Leadership Program is vital to the 3 million veterans who
Vietnam, and the position of veterans in the national outlook, is a positive factor,
served in Vietnam. It's time now for us to come out to the front, again. We form
something that will serve to strengthen this country for those children who will be
much of the nucleus that is the country's future leadership.
adults 20 years from now."
"Tennessee in particular is unusual. This is the 'Volunteer State'. Tennessee had
the first Vietnam casualty in February 1961 and my state has an unusually large
number of Vietnam veterans. I am honored to be part of this program in Tennes-
[From the Washington Post, Monday, Nov. 12, 1979]
see."
VIETNAM VETS: TOMORROW'S LEADERS
VET DIRECTOR POLISHES DIAMONDS
(By John P. Wheeler III)
Because there is a perceived lack of national leadership, Veterans Day marks a
James E. McCloskey, Philadelphia Program Director
suitable time for a fairly bold prediction: the American veterans of the war in
An economist with the Department of Commerce of the City of Philadelphia,
Vietnam will emerge during the 1980s as a major reservoir of national leadership.
McCloskey, 34, holds a Master's degree in finance and has completed the course
These men will emerge as leaders because, as a result of maturity brought by war
requirements for his doctorate. He teaches classes at LaSalle College in the field of
service, they embody values that are crucial to America's survival in the decade:
advanced corporate and international finance.
sacrifice, wisdom about the difficulties of government and common sense about war.
"I saw my responsibility, I think, from the day I returned from Vietnam," says
Their emergence as leaders will eclipse the popular image of the Vietnam veteran
McCloskey. Now a Major in the Army reserves, Jim was an advisor in Vietnam.
as an angry, tormented man, or a man in some way broken, whom some pity and
Assigned to the 1st Marine Division, McCloskey established CAP teams and was a
whose presence stimulates guilt and unease along with memories of the 1960s.
52
53
The war lasted over 10 years, the longest in our history. Nearly three million of
our young men fought in it. The great bulk of them turned 21 between 1964 and
POINTS ON THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
1969. Even a two-year hitch interrupted a man's life for three years, given the
disruptions of preparing for service and then reentering civilian. life. For many
1. The Design concept has unanimous approval of all review agencies: Fine Arts
soldiers, the interruption was longer. Thus, many gifted veterans were finishing
Commission, National Capital Planning Commission and the Department of the
college, in professional school and just starting careers in the 1970s. Unlike their
Interior.
contemporaries who are women or who did not fight in the war, they have not yet
2. Soil sampling, stone selection, and construction engineering are under way.
been in their careers long enough to emerge as leaders. Many were natural leaders
3. Completion and dedication: Veterans Day, November 11, 1982!
while growing up; as soldiers, many were officers. They fought, returned, assimilat-
4. Funding raising is ahead of schedule and highly successful.
ed their experience. And now, upon their professional maturity, the 1980s will see their full
5. Funding, construction, and work of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is
arrival in their various callings.
almost wholly by private donation and volunteers. Most volunteers are Vietnam
veterans, their families, and the families of those who gave their lives.
This large group of young, vigorous men cannot help affecting our society in some
6. The design is horizontal and strong-over 400 feet long. The architecture critic
mighty way. Some of them are in business, some practice law; others teach and
of Time Magazine and the Washington Post, for example, says it is superb and
write or serve in government or in the military. But they have three things in
ranks with the "the Eiffel tower." The same endorsement was made by the Wash-
common that will unify and concentrate their life's work.
ington Star and the New York Times.
First, their life in the battle area marks them as men who will sacrifice them-
7. The Memorial has an inscription committing it to the members of the Ameri-
selves for others and for things they believe in. They are not saints, but it is true
can armed forces who served their country and gave their lives for their country in
that they are the ones who, in spite of the irresolution of national sentiment, put
the Vietnam War.
their personal selves second to the national will as expressed by an elected presi-
8. Because of the size and sweep of the design, and its location near the Lincoln
dent and Congress. The orders said Vietnam. They went. Even with full allowance
Memorial and the Washington Monument, the best (really the only) way to see and
for the mixture of events and motives that bring a man to war, there remains a
consider the design is through the brief color slide presentation offered by the
valid thread of personal sacrifice that ties the Vietnam veterans together. The
Memorial Fund (20 minutes).
battlefield, for most men, nurtured the recognition that sacrifice is part of any
This briefing allows you to "see" and "feel" the Memorial as it will actually
strong community. The typical act of gallantry was not assaulting the foe; it was
appear and feel to the visitor at the finished site.
saving a friend's life.
9. In the briefing several things become apparent: all the names of the war killed
In the 1980's, with the oil shortage and inflation and global pressures of famine
in action are there and legible. This is important, and moving. And one sees that
and population growth, it is plain that sacrifice must be a theme of our national
the design does not appear to be "dug in"-it in fact appears to the visitor as "ten
policy. Our elder leaders know this. But the need is for younger leaders to apply the
feet tall" and makes the Vietnam veteran who visits-or the parents or widows or
theme realistically in the different sectors of our society. The men who returned
children-feel "ten feet tall." This becomes plain in the briefing because the scale
from Vietnam have the perspective to contribute to this, out of proportion to their
and sweep of the design become apparent-over 400 feet long on a two acre site!
numbers. They can be expected to steer clear of rabid, purely selfish extremes of
This is hard to see in a sketch or picture.
special-interest politics, which now frustrate coherent policy. Evidence of this is the
10. The selection of black granite is traditional. See South Boston Vietnam Memo-
rial, and Iwo Jima and Seabees Memorials.
moderate size and approach of the veterans rights groups formed by Vietnam
11. The designer's parents fled the Red takeover of China in 1949 and settled in
These men share something else: the knowledge of life together at the center of a
America. She was born in Ohio.
wrenching tragedy. For many people, tragedy bestows wisdom. It does so by bringing maturity
12. The senior member of the renowned and carefully selected design jury is a
through a radically altered perspective on life. The men who returned from battle know,
combat veteran who has a deep love for the Vietnam Veteran.
better than any other single group, that the war and its participants were complicated and
13. The most important factor of all is perspective: what is being done, after all.
that there was evil enough to be found on all sides.
What is being done is to place in a graceful way the names of all our KIA's in the
were complicated and that there was evil enough to be found on all sides.
Vietnam War in a hallowed place, and to affirm the integrity of all who served.
The young leaders among these men will bring to decisions during peace and war
Widows, the children, parents, and the squad mates in thousands of letters say, "At
a vivid knowledge of the irrationality and uncertainty that attend all the affairs of
last!", and "Thank you!"
mankind. This is true of all government, but has virulent effect when armed
14. The war years were angry years, and inevitably, the Memorial draws some
conflict is afoot. The classic military texts call it the "fog of war." Our veterans
anger.
learned to live with it but never to lose account of it in a season of My Lai, friendly
15. This is an effort of American volunteers. We will finish on time, on target, and
fire and, some think, false budget estimates and other reports to and by the president himself.
on budget!
The force and harshness under which our veterans learned this specially qualify them for
leadership.
Finally, these men will not let their generation forget one truth about war:
notwithstanding fancy technology, even the brutal effect of nuclear bombs, the
determining factor in war is the conventional battle of man to man and ship to
ship-the surface battle. They know that, in spite of all the helicopters and B52s,
the final result depended on national resolve to slug it out on the surface. But
surface war is arduous, and it is easy to spare expense in preparation for it. It is
instructive that the Soviets know the lesson: their determined effort to build a fleet and to
garrison Eastern Europe shows they have learned it.
Our hope is that American leadership in the 1980s will reinvigorate our fleet and
the NATO army. The veterans' common-sense perspective on war is needed in the
leadership that can fulfill this hope.
The generation that came of age in the later 1960s was sundered by the war. The
leaders among the many able women and among the men who had no military
service began to emerge during the late 1970s, especially in the current presidential
administration. Beginning soon, the leaders from the other part of our generation,
the men who soldiered and came back, will make themselves felt. We need them.
"Through the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Pro-
gram, we can. .help restore a sense of pride and
self worth to all Vietnam veterans. This we will
accomplish by mobilizing the massive body of
successful veterans as volunteers to help those
who still need a hand. In this small way we who
did return can help fulfill our debt to those who
did not."
Tom Pauken
Director, ACTION