Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
BP Molinaro & VVA Chapter #421 help launch new Vets group
Veterans of Modern Warfare, Inc. organizing meeting set for September 8th
STATEN ISLAND, NY – Borough President James P. Molinaro and the Thomas J. Tori Chapter #421 of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) are hosting an organizing meeting for Persian Gulf War-era veterans, both current active duty personnel and vets from all branches of the Armed Forces, including Reservists and National Guard who have served at any time regardless of duty station between August 2, 1990 through the present. The event takes place at Ft. Wadsworth’s Visitors Center on Saturday, September 8th beginning at 11:00AM.
Joining Molinaro for the meeting will be Bill Solebello, President of VVA Chapter #421 and the chapter’s Color Guard, along with Mike Porcaro, President of the Queens Chapter of the Veterans of Modern Warfare (VMW). The meeting is open for all eligible vets, who are advised to bring copies of their DD-214 or military ID to enroll.
The Veterans of Modern Warfare is a non-partisan Nation-wide veteran’s service organization created with the assistance of the Vietnam Veterans of America’s National office in June of 2006. First year membership for eligible active duty and veterans who sign up during 2007 is free. VMW will pursue Congressional Charter as overall membership grows beyond 2,000.
“Unlike the Vietnam-era, today’s veterans have been split up conceptually by the mission – Bosnia, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Borough President Molinaro said. “VMW will unify both combat and non-combat veterans and help to establish a strong voice in Washington regarding their unique needs,” the Borough President added.
VVA Chapter #421 President Bill Solebello said that his group is honored to help in establishing a VMW chapter in Staten Island. “These veterans are our future, and I know they will contribute both to the community and on the advocacy front. Like vets from the Vietnam and Korean eras, I know that many of these new members will cross-pollinate over time by joining other veterans organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, etc.,” Solebello concluded.
September 4, 2007