Tillman assured the ADBC Board of Directors (BOD) there would be no costs to the Organization.   We started contacting every Chief of Voluntary Service (CVS) in the US (172) by phone or letter.   We told them about ADBC and that ADBC was beginning a VAVS Program.   We asked each one if they knew of any Bataan/Corregidor people or NOK or others covered by ADBC membership.   Even associate members. Sending copies and reports of all actions taken to National again aroused concern among some that we were committing ADBC to a large expense.   We were questioned about that, even asked to appear before the BOD and explain.   The meeting being a long distance away and with his Wife, Joyce, seriously ill, Tillman could not make the trip.   However, we sent a detailed letter to the BOD, again explaining VAVS and assuring no expense to ADBC.   We told them that we would absorb the costs of starting up our program.   This apparently satisfied the BOD for our VAVS Program continued.   However, over the past few years Tillman's name was deleted from the letterhead and then the Quan, making it next to impossible to be contacted by anyone interested in becoming involved in VAVS.   National Judge Advocate Harold Feiner told Tillman at the National Convention in San Antonio in May 1999 that he was unaware this had happened and he would try to rectify the matter.

The first VAVS Representative was Tillman J. Rutledge at Audie Murphy VAMC in San Antonio, Texas in 1987.   We eventually built our Representatives to twelve VAMCs.   Since then we have lost some due to various reasons.   Most of our VAVS Representatives are or have been Past National Commanders.   These are or were; PNC Hank Wilayto, PNC John Ray, add Helen Wilayto and Bertha Ray, PNC Elmer Long, PNC Ralph Levenberg, PNC Maurice Mazer, NC Roy Gentry, Nick Hionedes (BOD) and Wife, Ann, James Rushimg, Curtis Stevens and Tod Cornell.   Roy Gentry is the first National Commander to become VAVS Representative and now carries on as PNC.

Being a VAVS Representative, Deputy or RS (Regularly Scheduled) Volunteer does not tie one down.   There are only four meetings a year for the VAVS Committee.   It is a good idea to have an RS assignment also as this enables you to become a lot more familiar with the operation, what's going on, become better known and it opens doors for you that you would not be able to navigate otherwise.   You pick your days and time, working with your CVS.   It's mostly your choice.

You do not have to be in good physical condition, except for some assignments such as escort, perhaps records.   We have extremely handicapped people, quads, blinded veterans, many in wheelchairs, aged, some that move slowly, etc.   So do not let your physical condition stop you unless of course, you are house bound.

There are many available assignments.   You name it, they more than likely use volunteers.   You can also serve on committees, such as TQIs (Total Quality Improvement), surveys, National Salutes to Hospitalized Veterans, special projects, etc.   Believe it, if not for VA volunteers, the VA would be in big trouble, especially with the budget given by the President/Congress and the mandated straight line 5-year budget.

There is nothing in our CBL's that we know of to preclude Spouses or Associate members from serving as a Rep/Dep/RS Volunteer.

Remember, it does not cost anything but some of your time.   How much is up to you.   If you find out it's not "your cup of tea" all you need to do is talk to the CVS.   If you have an assignment you find you do not like, for any reason, just talk to your CVS.   It can all be worked out.   It's all about communicating.

VAVS is all about helping others, our fellow veterans, their families and the VA Staff so they can do their jobs better.   Volunteers supplement VA Staff, they do not replace them.     ISN'T THIS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT?

This is the history of our ADBC VAVS Program from beginning to present. 1983-1999.