Original 8
The origin of VVA Chapter 526 began circa 1989. At that time, various Vietnam War era veterans gathered at the VET CENTER, a street store-front veteran’s readjustment counseling center then located on Pacific Avenue in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The concept of the VET CENTER was created by Floyd “Shad” Meshad, a U.S. Army Captain and Vietnam War veteran who was a practicing counselor for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]. Details on Meshad’s military and educational background, as well as the evolution of the VET CENTER concept, are outlined in his 1982 book titled Captain For Dark Mornings.
On 13 June 1979, as directed by the U.S. Congress, the VA adopted the VET CENTER concept and financed the establishment of VET CENTER’s nationwide to assist all veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
During those VET CENTER meetings in Venice, eight (8) Vietnam War era veterans decided to form a local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of American [VVA], the only congressionally-chartered veteran’s organization specifically formed to serve the Vietnam War veteran community. The original eight (8) Vietnam War era veterans who formed the nucleus of VVA Chapter 526 were as follows:
| Name | Birthdate | Branch | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Carter | 29 October 1946 | Marine Corps | South Vietnam / Laos |
| 2 | Robert Gilles | 17 September 1949 | Army | South Vietnam |
| 3 | Terrence Harkin | 29 October 1946 | Air Force | Thailand |
| 4 | Darrel Lee | 14 October 1945 | Marine Corps | South Vietnam |
| 5 | Ted LePine | Army | South Vietnam | |
| 6 | Robert Rogers | 28 December 1948 | Army | South Vietnam / Cambodia |
| 7 | Charles Saulenas | 31 March 1947 | Army | South Vietnam |
| 8 | James Webb | 7 November 1945 | Air Force | South Vietnam |
All 8 “original” members would not only become one of the 27 original charter members of the chapter, but some would also serve as the first officers of VVA Chapter 526 and many continue – to this day – to serve as members of VVA Chapter 526.