Scope and Contents

Approximately five linear feet of materials detail the various issues associated with the Vietnam Veterans Institute. The collection is divided into five categories: Administrative Files, Individual Files, Life Time Service Award, Conferences and General Files. The Administrative Files section contains general file titles arranged alphabetically on subjects directly related to the Vietnam Veteran Institute. The Individual Files section contains material produced by various individuals associated with the Vietnam Veterans Institute. The Life Time Service Award section concerns the Vietnam Veterans Institute and Paralyzed Veterans of America Award for Life Service to Veterans. The Conferences section contains material on the several conferences sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Institute and the General Files section is a compilation of material collected by the Vietnam Veterans Institute not directly related to the organization. Almost all of the materials date from the post-war period.

Biographical / Historical

The Vietnam Veterans Institute (VVI) was founded in 1981 as an independent education, legislative, and public policy, not-for-profit (501 c 19) organization. The goals and objectives were to foster economic parity for Vietnam Veterans with their non-veteran peers, to assure a positive and accurate historical record of their service and to address issues of national security. The Institute was conceived by J. Eldon Yates and founded by J. Eldon Yates, MA, Tom Nielsen, Artist, Captain Berry Speare, MS (combat retired), SSG Joe Miller, MA (combat retired), Steve Anderson, BA, and Robert Doubek, JD.

VVI soon gained status with the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and with Senate leadership, especially Senators Robert Byrd and Robert Dole, due to their work to develop veteran-friendly legislation and lobby for its passage. Chairman Yates specifically has been invited to participate in several legislative initiatives and White House briefings on veterans and national defense issues. VVI’s prestige continued to grow as a result of academic conferences and important publications, such as VVI Journal’s “Robert S. McNamara’s In Retrospect-Critical Analysis." VVI also develops veteran-friendly public events, like a Veterans Day Eve celebration for the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial.



Over the years the Vietnam Veterans Institute has worked with many well-known veterans, personalities, and lawmakers to include: Senators Byrd, Dole, John McCain, Jim Bunning, Bob Smith, Larry Craig, General William Westmoreland, General Raymond Davis, Major General George Patton, Jr., Brigadier General Myrna Williamson, Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp, Admiral E.R. (Bud) Zumwalt, the Honorable Jo Anne Web, Bob Hope, Charlton Heston, the Honorable Henry Kissinger, the Honorable William C. Colby, OSS, CIA, Commander Everett Alvarez, USN (POW), Colonel Norman A. McDaniel, USAF (POW), Adrian Cronauer, JD, Mike Anikeeft Ph.D., Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Dockery, Peter C. Rollins, Ph.D, and Jim Mayer, BA (combat disabled).

Series

• Series - Conference Files - McNamara Book
• Series - Conference Files - Veteran Day Eve Banquet and Ball