ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - A group of Aberdeen Proving Ground civilians have set up a local chapter of a national veteran service organization.
The name of the organization, the National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS), may be misleading, say organizers. NABVETS is for everyone, regardless of race or nationality.
The National Association of Black Veterans, Inc., NABVETS, was established by seven Vietnam combat veterans. It was incorporated under its original name Interested Veterans of the Central City (IVOCC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1969 and reorganized as NABVETS, a membership service organization, in 1973.
In 1998, NABVETS was certified "for the purpose of preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs," as a national veteran service organization by the VA.
Ronald Gean, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant who relocated to APG with the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command during base realignment and closure, brought NABVETS to APG after attending a meeting in October 2013.
"I asked around and discovered a need for it," Gean said, noting that the organization's primary focus is to assist veterans through the claims process.
"A lot of veterans have given up on the VA because they're frustrated with the paperwork," he said.
The chapter held its first meeting in January with just a handful of members who voted to install officers and start the charter procedures.
The 101st NABVETS chapter received its charter from NABVETS National Vice-Commander Richard Kornegay, who drove to APG to hand-deliver the document in June. Kornegay was accompanied by North Carolina State Commander Katherine Washington-Williams.
Officeholders in the 101st NABVETS chapter include Gean, who serves as vice-commander; Commander Lonzia Hawkins, a retired Army first sergeant and security manager with PEO IEW&S; Secretary Mireille "Rae" Gaynor, a contractor ILS manager with CECOM LRC with nearly 20 years of Army active and reserve service; Treasurer Ladonna Sparks, a CECOM inventory manager and Tony Shumpert, chaplain, and CECOM logistics management specialist.
Hawkins said he came on board as soon as he learned about the chapter.
"I'm always trying to help fellow veterans so for me, this is a labor of love," he said, adding that members undergo training through the VA, "so we can provide informed advice."
"The system is overwhelmed," Hawkins said. "We want to reach out to those veterans who've given up on it so they are aware of the benefits and compensation they earned throught their service to the nation."
"We want to bring them back to continue the process," Gean added. "It's not just about what the country owes them, but what they owe their families.
Gaynor said the group is all about protecting those who can't protect themselves.
"When you have an organization representing an individual, that gives the individual a bigger voice," she said. "As we learn more about the process we'll become more knowledgeable about how the VA works and then be better able to assist fellow veterans and their families."
Gean said the chapter will meet monthly and plans to set up a Facebook site as well as an Adopt-a-Road program along the Route 715 highway.
"We'll be getting out and seeing what's needed around the community and looking at ways we can help."
He said the chapter wants to send the message that along with providing a time and place where veterans can network with others with similar experiences, the group is open to non-veterans as associate members.
"A lot of people want to help veterans but don't know where to start," he said. "You're welcome here. We're a 24/7 organization and when you need us, we'll be there."
Hawkins said that until lines of communication are established, veterans should contact a chapter officer for meeting times or for more information. He said active, Reserve and National Guard of all branches also are eligible to join.
"All are welcome," he said. "And a lot have shown interest already. Soldiers know that just a little way down the road they'll be one of us."
For more information about the 101st NABVETS chapter, contact Lonzia Hawkins, commander, 443-866-8021, lonzia.hawkins.civ@mail.mil; Ronald Gean, vice-commander, 443-395-6286, ronald.g.gean.civ@mail.mil; Mireille Gaynor, secretary, 443-861-2412. mireille.gaynor2.ctr@mail.mil
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