Vietnam vets open local office

The local Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 994 has opened an office in Franklin to help veterans of all wars living in Macon, Jackson and Swain counties navigate the VA system and to serve as a veterans' advocate group.

Located at 203 Sloan Road, the new office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with volunteer staff available to assist veterans and answer questions, according to VVA president Dewey Gunnin.

Press photos/Colin McCandless. VVA Chapter 994 members Roger Sanders (treasurer), Dewey Gunnin (president) and Robert Wright (nominating committee chairman), stand in front of their new office on 203 Sloan Road in Franklin. The venue will serve as a veterans advocate office to help veterans in Macon, Jackson and Swain counties better navigate the VA system.

They had phone service installed Tuesday and are up and running. Their contact number is 369-7890.

The office will be a resource for veterans to receive straight talk and facts about the VA system, according to Gunnin.

For people who are not in the VA system, they will help them get in the system. If they need to file a claim, they will provide the information veterans need before they see Jim Dubose, director of Macon County Veteran's Services.

Their goal is to work together with Dubose and make his job easier. Gunnin said VVA Chapter 994 would also be talking to community leaders about how they can help with mental health issues and other problem areas where veterans need help.

The office was made possible through the efforts of Commissioners Ronnie Beale and Charlie Leatherman and contributions from superintendent Dan Brigman and director of auxiliary services Terry Bell with Macon County Schools, as well as other area citizens.

Gunnin said he had spoken with Beale about the prospect of an office, but had explained that VVA funding was inadequate to afford the rent at this point in time.

Beale informed Gunnin of some vacant office space that he owns on Sloan Road that had recently become available.

He initially said the VVA could cut the rent in half, but Gunnin told him that the chapter likely could not afford this either.

Then Beale offered to let them use of the office anyway, regardless of whether the VVA could get the rent money on time. They essentially will just have to pay for phone service and the water bill until they can afford to cover the cost of rent.

Gunnin asked Leatherman about prospects for furnishing the office.

Leatherman, a veteran himself, contacted Brigman last week about the possibility of getting the office furnished with surplus from Macon County Schools.

Brigman offered the school's help and on Friday and Monday, Bell delivered desks, chairs, office furniture and computers to the VVA office. Leatherman also donated filing cabinets, fax machines copiers, printers and office supplies from Leatherman Tax Service.

Jim Garner donated file cabinets, a table for the conference room, a fax machine and a printer, and bought trash cans for the office.

Gale and Keith Shope and Frank and Sue Hunter donated chairs as well, Gunnin said.

Beale Construction also did the painting and the cleaning for the office. VVA Chapter 994 plans to have a sign and logo put up soon as well.

"They are stepping up to the plate to help us in our endeavor," Gunnin said of the contributions from county leaders and citizens, and the support of his wife and family. "This is huge."

Getting involved

Gunnin said the VVA Chapter 994 office aims to shine a light on the situation veterans are facing and become involved to help figure out how to fix it.

"It's not about finger-pointing, it's about finding the problems and making the system work better," Gunnin said.

He commented that he felt the office would become a "a beacon" for veterans and their families.

"We have a lot of desire and we're learning and studying and willing to step up to the plate and make a difference," Gunnin said.

He added that veterans are a group that deserves to be respected and assisted.

"We're trying to heal the wounds. This country is obligated to ensure that veterans have the best possible care. Let's stop whining and let's do something."

Gunnin emphasized that they are not a political organization, they are just an organization of American citizens and veterans.

VVA Chapter 994, which got its charter in 2007, currently has 107 members, with eight more applications pending, and is the fastest-growing chapter in the state.

Additionally, they accept all veterans into their membership ranks as associate veterans. VVA treasurer and Vietnam Veteran Roger Sanders said he would like to see some of the newer, younger veterans at VVA meetings.

Gunnin said he would like to see the national organization of the VVA include veterans of all wars and they hope to change the by-laws so that any veteran can join.

He added that nothing could be better than if in "20 to 25 years when I'm gone this organization is still going. "We just want to pass this on to the next generation of veterans.

Gunnin stressed though that the VVA office would be available to help veterans of all wars who reside in Macon, Jackson and Swain counties who are seeking assistance.

"This is for them and this is for their families," Gunnin said.

'This is exciting," Sanders said. "We'll get some things done."

Funding need

"We have a need for funding," Gunnin said of the VVA Chapter 994, noting that they are a 501 c 3. He remarked that they would try to visit with area business leaders and companies and ask them to join as associate members for a donation.

Whatever they feel they can offer, the VVA would then in turn give them a plaque acknowledging their support for veterans.

"The monies we receive are used prudently and on behalf of veterans and our families," Gunnin said.

Soon the VVA Chapter 994 intends to hold a dedication ceremony in which they will invite 11th District Congressman Heath Shuler, county and town leaders and the general public from all three counties the office serves to attend.

"We're moving forward," Gunnin said. "We're just a group of old veterans that are going to make a difference."