VietNow National Magazine

The VietNow National Magazine – Christian Nelson, Editor
Interested in writing an article for the VietNow National Magazine? E-mail to vietnoweditor@vietnow.com or click here for writers guidelines. If you don't want to read the guidelines (even though you should) the mailing address is P.O. Box 999, Pine Island, Minnesota 55963.

More than "just another boring organizational magazine," the VietNow National Magazine covers the issues that are important to you. Unlike most of the other "magazines" you'll find on the internet, the VietNow National Magazine is a real magazine, printed on slick, white paper, using a very large printing press. It's not just a "web-zine" that no one wants to read. And when you become a VietNow member, you'll get your very own copy delivered in the U.S. mail.

If you haven't joined VietNow yet, and don't get "the real thing," click some of the articles below and see a few articles from our recent issues.

PTSD: Is It Really Too Late for You? We've said it before, and we'll say it again. It's not too late. Help is available, and it really works. Read the full story.

The VietNow National Convention 2009 If you weren't there, you'll want to see the pictures. If you were there, you'll really want to see the pictures. Photos by Ken Nelson.

Guarding the Colors: Rockford Chapter Color Guard When William Backes, a homeless Vietnam veteran was beaten up and killed in Rockford, Illinois, a few years ago, he didn’t have a lot of friends left to come to his funeral. That’s when the Rockford Charter Chapter and the McHenry VietNow chapter stepped in. Read the full story.

Homeless Veterans: VietNow Is There To Help When Chicago held its Stand Down for Homeless Veterans, VietNow was there. This was a unique stand down. Not only does the stand down provide needed services for the veterans, but it gives them the camaraderie they once knew. Read the full story.

POW/MIA Flags Are Everywhere The black flag is flying everywhere. Here are just a few of our favorites. Is your POW/MIA flag shown here?

Oath Takers and Oath Breakers Many of us took an oath to protect this country. What about everyone else? Article by Larry Winters.

Do You Know Where Your Records Are? Probably not. But this roadmap might give you some idea who has your service records, and where they might be. Read the full story.

The Heroes Among Us The Medal of Honor is our highest military award, but most of us don't know much about it. Story by Karen St. John.

The Cold Peace The "Cold War"...the "Cold Peace." Actually, it was pretty hot back then. Article by Matt Davison.

Tinnitus and Hearing Loss In two related articles our VA claims expert Raymond F. Gustavson, Jr. explains what might be the cause of the ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears, and goes in depth regarding hearing loss, and how to file VA claims for either or both conditions. Read the full story.

An Enormous Crime: The Definitive Account of American POWs Abandoned in Southeast Asia Part history, part exposé, in this book, Billy Hendon reveals the facts about the POW/MIA story as he sees it. Read the full story.

Agent Orange: Another Link to Cancer. This Time It's Prostate Cancer The rate of prostate cancer is twice as high in Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. Article by Kathlyn Stone.

VA: Vet to Vet Got problems with the VA or any other veterans issue? Maybe we can help. Article by Bob Gutsche.

POW/MIA: How Do We Keep the Fires Burning? Pessimism and apathy seem to be the order of the day. We've got to get back on track. Read it now.

Agent Orange: "It was exactly 30 years after I got back that I was diagnosed." Vietnam veteran Jim Fiebke had no idea that he was eligible for VA benefits due to his Agent Orange-related illness. Interview by health and science writer Kathlyn Stone.

The Khe Sanh Address The battle of Khe Sanh took place between January 21 and April 8, 1968. For forty-one years no U.S. President mentioned Khe Sanh with the respect it deserved until President Barack Obama's inaugural address. By Larry Winters.

The Last Vietnam Veteran VietNow National President Rich Sanders travels into the distant future to see what the last Vietnam veteran might think of things. Read it now.

Filing Your VA Disability Claim A rewarding experience or lots of agony. What you do during the claims process can make a big difference. Our VA claims specialist tells you what to do, and how to do it. By Raymond Gustavson.

23rd Annual VietNow National Convention a Major Success Sponsored and hosted by the Trail of Tears VietNow chapter – The Last Weekend in May – in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. VietNow National Administrative Assistant Eileen Shoemaker and American Gold Star Mother Mary Jane Kiepe took some great photos. Check out the pictures.

John "Top" Holland Is VietNow's Veteran of the Year Having always been a soldier's solder, Top's retirement from the military didin't mean he was going to quit caring for veterans. Read the full story.

PTSD: Living With Guilt and Shame The guilt and shame that comes with PTSD robs you of pleasure and joy. Read the story.

Convention First Impressions Find out what happens when a former "VA guy" goes to our convention. Story by Ray Gustavson.

Stephenson County Vietnam-Era Veterans Memorial The story behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Freeport, Illinois. By Sam Veer

The Hidden Heart of the Warrior A letter written on behalf of Vietnam veterans still suffering from PTSD. By Mary Tendall.

Letters of Thanks to Jan and Mary Letters from veterans and family members who have read the articles by our PTSD writers. Letters to Jan Fishler and Mary Tendall.

Your VA Appeal If your VA appeal has been rejected, don't give up. Our VA claims specialist tells you what to do, and how to do it. By Raymond Gustavson.

Book Review: Red Clay on My Boots What happened to a Navy medic who lived through Khe Sanh and the years after. Review by Karen St. John.

The Message Once Was, "POW/MIA: You Are Not Forgotten!" But is that still true today? Have they been forgotten? National President's Message.

The Bracelet Do you know where your POW/MIA bracelet is? It's time to take it out of that drawer and start wearing it again. Story by Sam Veer.

PTSD: It's Never Too Late You can still get your PTSD under control Believe it. Read the story.

I Wasn't Who They Thought I Was A Vietnam remembrance: Death, pain, heartbreak, guilt, and a story that continues to this day. Story by Carlos DeLuna.

The VietNow Volunteer Spirit: What Makes Us Do It? Why are VietNow members always there when a veteran needs a hand? Past-National Vice President tells why he does it.

Do You Want to Burn This Flag? We asked people to let us know what they think about people burning the flag and how that relates to freedom of expression. We 've gotten a few answers so far, but we'd also like to hear from you. What do you think of people who burn the flag?

Your VA Claim for Sexual Trauma A bad situation can be made better with this information and advice from our VA claims expert. Read the story.

The U.S. Government Has Lied to Me for 42 Years About What Happened to My Husband When her husband, Col. David L. Hrdlicka, was shot down in 1965, she believed that the government would do everything possible to bring him back home. Story by Carol Hrdlicka.

Veterans Incarcerated: The Brothers of Holman Unit: Atmore, AlabamaVeterans incarcerated have no plans of giving up. Article by Matt Davison.

POW/MIA: What's Going On With the POW/MIA Issue? Read this article and then draw your own conclusions. Article by Bill Kessling.

Not Made in China Anymore A new Minnesota law requires American flags sold in the state to be made in theU.S.A. Read the story.

Do You Remember the Artillery? The exploits of the artillery are too often forgotten. Story by William L. Harlan

PTSD: Is It Treatable? Or Do I Just Learn to Cope? Seeking treatment for PTSD is a hard decision for many veterans, but with the new treatment techniques now available, it's often possible to actually end the symptoms of trauma. Read the story.

Agent Orange and Your VA Claim How hard is it to get compensation for an Agent Orange-related health claim? How do you prove it? A retired VA Rating Specialist tells you how. Get the facts here.

Gunned Down in Basic Training Those shots you got in basic training were meant to protect you from some really bad diseases. Unfortunately, there have been some unintended consequences that might affect you. Find out how your health may be affected.

PTSD and Your VA Claim A former VA Rating Specialist provides some clues. Check it out.

Looking Back. Moving Forward. In the quest to help Veterans Incarcerated, much has been done. And much more work still lies ahead. Article by Matt Davison.

Holding On To Hope Even though it was 1968 when her son disappeared in Southeast Asia, POW/MIA Mom Dorothy Boyer has never given up hope. Read about it.

Making Sense of PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder still keeps many veterans from finding the peace they deserve. Read more here.

A Special Reunion Veterans of the undefined and strange war of the '60s and early '70s, these men will not be forgotten. First Cav reunion.

May 12, 1968 From the point of view of his mother, a winner of VietNow's Sons & Daughters In Touch Scholarship tells the story of his grandfather's death in Vietnam. By John Howard Starnes.

The Truth About VietNow No brag – just fact. What VietNow really does and why we do it. Read about it.

Stand Down at Camp Algonquin Ever wonder how bad the homeless veteran situation really is? Find out about it.

Sculptor Andrew Chernak is VietNow's Veteran of the Year He's the creator and sculptor of the American Gold Star Mothers memorial. Read more.

Less-Than-Famous War Memorials They're all over the place. Veterans memorials and war memorials that are mostly known only to the people who live nearby. Read more here.

Bright Lights at Lake City The Traveling Wall comes to a small town in Minnesota. See what it was like.

Invitation to an Art Gallery The National Vietnam Veterans Art Gallery. It's in Chicago. They've got artwork like you wouldn't believe. It's easy to get to. Our story tells you how. Story by Judy McKee.

Pacific Northwest Chapter Wins "Bring Them Home Alive" Award Though small in numbers, the Pacific Northwest VietNow chapter really does the job with POW/MIA awareness. Read more.

The Power of a Name Looking for a name on The Wall, a woman finds more than she expected. Article by Ann FitzHenry.

Amnesia at the Traveling Wall On his first trip to any kind of wall, a guy finds a name and also a case of amnesia. Read more.

We'll be adding lots more stories here in the near future. Come back for another look soon.

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