VVA #1073 Increases Endowment

          The Vietnam Veterans of American #1073 (Hamblen County) increased the group’s endowed scholarship by presenting a check for $5,000 to the Walters State Foundation.
          “First and foremost, I want to thank everyone here for their service to our country,” said Chris Cates, assistant vice president for college advancement at the college. “We are grateful for the continued support of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and we join them in encouraging all veterans to take advantage of higher education opportunities.”
          This gift raises the current endowment to $48,677. The Vietnam Veterans of America #1073 has the goal of reaching $58,300.
          “That number represents the number of American service members killed in the Vietnam War,” said Jack Weidman, president of VVA #1073. “Those are the names on the wall.”
          Weidman said the idea of establishing a scholarship originated with the late Robert Russell, a Vietnam War veteran and a retired Walters State faculty member.
           “This is a way for us to support descendants of Vietnam War veterans and veterans of other conflicts long after we are gone,” Weidman said. 
           Earnings from the endowment will fund scholarships, enabling the endowment principal to continue in perpetuity. Preference for the scholarship is given to an honorably discharged Vietnam War veteran or descendent of an honorable discharged Vietnam War veteran, or an honorably discharged veteran. Financial need is also part of the scholarship. 
           Individuals who would like to help the chapter reach its goal may donate to the endowment by contacting Chris Cates, assistant vice president for College Advancement, at Chris.CatesFREEWS or 423-585-2618. Earnings from the endowment provide scholarships for veterans, while enabling the scholarship to continue in perpetuity.       
           Veterans who are interested attending Walters State should contact Terry Harris, coordinator of Veterans Services at the college, at Terry.HarrisFREEWS or 423-585-6896. Information for veterans enrolling is also available here.   
           Vietnam veterans who would like to join the group are invited to attend a meeting. Those are held on the fourth Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. at the National Guard Armory building in Russellville.