April 2026

On Saturday, 28 March, Suzie Pate (National Secretary) and Todd Wilber (Member) of the Sons and Daughters of the Vietnam War represented the organization at The National Vietnam War Museum's event honoring Vietnam Veteran's Day.

Suzie and Todd were on hand to hand out information/answer questions for the organization and give out Welcome Home certificates for veterans who attended the event.

Throughout the day they interacted with visitors of all ages at the entrance of the museum and were able to promote SDVW to all who pass through the front doors.

The event was well attended and was a great opportunity to recognize our veterans and provide information to the local community.

On March 29, in conjunction with Vietnam Veterans Day, Captain James “Jim” Messinger was honored as a recipient of the Service Beyond Service Award, presented by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

This award recognizes living Vietnam veterans who have continued to serve their communities in meaningful ways long after their military service ended. It highlights the lasting impact of those who carried their commitment to service beyond their time in uniform — through leadership, advocacy, volunteerism, and dedication to others.

Jim’s selection for this award reflects a lifetime of continued service. Following his time in the military, he remained deeply committed to honoring Vietnam veterans and preserving their stories, including his longstanding leadership and involvement with the National Vietnam War Museum. He was also one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Sons and Daughters of the Vietnam War, helping establish an organization dedicated to carrying forward the legacy of those who served. In addition to all of this, Jim is not only a Vietnam veteran, but also a proud member of SDVW.

SDVW was proud to nominate Jim for this honor, recognizing not only his service during the Vietnam War, but the decades of work that followed. His example embodies the very spirit of the Service Beyond Service Award — that service to others does not end when military duty concludes.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jim on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his continued dedication to veterans and their families.

Voting for the Sons and Daughters of the Vietnam War Board of Directors and Officer positions officially opened on April 1 and will remain open through the end of April.

This is an important opportunity for members to help shape the future of SDVW by selecting the individuals who will guide our organization forward. We encourage all members to take a few moments to review the candidate information and participate in the voting process.

🗳️ Cast your vote here:https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/Jjkqo15I

A quick note: Sarp Peterson is running for Vice President and is unopposed. While his name does not appear on the ballot, no action is needed for that position, and members can simply continue with the rest of the voting.

Voting will close at the end of April, and the results will be announced during our May membership meeting.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an active part of SDVW.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will host its annual Memorial Day Observance at The Wall on May 25 from 1:00–2:00 PM in Washington, D.C. This meaningful event honors the men and women who gave their lives in service and provides a moment of reflection at one of our nation’s most powerful memorials.

SDVW plans to be part of this important observance and will be placing a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as a tribute to those who served and sacrificed.

We would love for our members to join in for this special occasion. Being present at The Wall on Memorial Day is a powerful experience and a meaningful way to honor not only Vietnam veterans, but all who gave their lives in service to our country.

If you are interested in attending as a part of SDVW, please reach out to:

📧 Dennis Schlemmer, National Presidentschlemmerdennis@hotmail.com

We will need a headcount in advance in order to coordinate tickets, so please respond as soon as possible if you would like to participate.

For more information about the event, you can visit:🔗 https://www.vvmf.org/event/Memorial-Day/

For many of us, our connection to the Vietnam War is not found in history books — it lives in our families, in the stories we’ve heard, and sometimes in the ones that were never fully told.

Legacy is not just about remembering the past. It’s about carrying those experiences forward in a way that continues to give them meaning. Every photograph, every story shared, every name spoken — these are the ways we ensure that the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans are never forgotten.

At SDVW, one of the ways we do this is through our scrapbook project at the National Vietnam War Museum. Each page represents a life, a story, and a connection — created by families who want to make sure their veteran’s story is preserved and shared with others.

Some stories are told often, while others are remembered quietly. Some are filled with detail, while others are simply felt. No matter how they are carried, each one matters.

If you have ever thought about creating a page for your veteran, we encourage you to do so. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be meaningful. Your contribution becomes part of a larger story, one that will continue to be seen and remembered by future generations.

More information about how to participate in the scrapbook project can be found here:🔗 https://www.sdvw.org/honor-your-veteran

Because legacy is not something that ends.It is something we carry forward, together.