IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2009
No. 09-3
Contact:
Nancy S. Switzer
585-737-2169

Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Recognized as a National Veterans Service Organization

(Washington, D.C.) --- The Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) is proud to announce that on July 17, 2009,

The Honorable Eric K. Shineseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), signed the paperwork for AVVA to become a veterans
service officer organization. "We are honored to announce today, as we celebrate the tenth birthday of our organization," said Elaine Simmons, President of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, "that AVVA is now recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a national organization which will be able to use accredited service officers to assist in the preparation and process of benefits claims for veterans and eligible family members. AVVA thanks Secretary Shinseki for the swift and positive action on our application."

"This recognition will allow our organization to directly represent and assist America's sons and daughters who have donned
the uniform in defense of our country, as well as their families," said Simmons.

"We intend to utilize our current resources and strategic alliances, not only to meet, but to exceed the requirements
established by the VA to represent claimants.

"We are doing this," Simmons said, "because there simply are not enough accredited service officers to assist our veterans.
Too many veterans have to wait months before they can even have an initial meeting with a service representative.
We believe we can help close this gap to ensure that our veterans and their families receive the assistance they require and
are entitled to."

The Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America is a national, nonprofit membership and service organization dedicated to advancing the full range of issues affecting all veterans, their families and their communities.

Our more than 7,000 members are families, friends, and supporters of Vietnam veterans, as well as Vietnam veterans and veterans of other eras.