The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association (BWNVVA) is a non-profit corporation comprised of members of the US Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Merchant Marines who served in the Vietnam War but who never "set foot" on Vietnamese soil. Most of our members are disabled due to dioxin poisoning from Agent Orange exposure. There have been some instances where Brown Water Navy personnel have been denied benefits, also. Welcome Aboard, you qualify for Membership. The activities of the BWN included both direct combat and combat-support operations, such as naval gunfire support, interdiction, aircraft carrier operations, fleet guard and many other such roles. Associate Membership is open to anyone else who is interested in the issues of Blue Water Navy.
BWNVVA advocates for Blue Water Navy veterans' rights and monitors these veterans' interactions with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Current focus is now on the question of eligibility of these service members for "presumptive exposure" to Agent Orange as is given to all other service members who had "boots on the ground" and who are sick and disabled by any of the maladies listed as presumptive by the VA. We continuously monitor the legal battle regarding the case of Haas v. Department of Veterans Affairs, now under deliberation by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Membership is offered to all veterans of the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Merchant Marines who honorably served in these combat and combat-support activities off the coast of Vietnam. BWNVVA currently provides the following services to its membership:
- The web site www.bluewaternavy.org which contains an extensive collection of documents pertaining to these issues. Such documents include administrative and medical documents of the US Navy, the Department of Defense, and many other agencies as well as national and international documents prepared by individuals and non-governmental organizations which address the concerns of the BWNVVA.
The web site contains background information on the history of the legal battle for presumptive exposure, basic information on Agent Orange and other toxins the sea-going personnel were exposed to, and other pertinent information. The web site also maintains a links directory to other web sites of interest.
- The Blue Water Navy Bulletin Board, a live interactive electronic meeting place for discussion of these and other issues by the membership and other registrant of the Bulletin Board. Activity on the Bulletin Board (BB) is a separate function from membership in the BWNVVA, although the vast
majority of our members are active BB users.
- The Ship's Store, which currently offers the BWNVVA Lapel Pin to Members and non-Members alike.
Non-mandatory Dues
BWNVVA has non-mandatory annual dues of $10 per year per member. Payment of dues is entirely voluntary and is based on an "honor system" payment. If you are able to pay , your submission of dues will be appreciated. If you can't afford it, we still appreciate your membership. There is no distinction between a member who submits the voluntary payment of dues and one who cannot -- all members have access to identical information and resources. The web site, with its useful and copious documentation and other important information, is available to all. The Bulletin Board Community, an invaluable source of relevant news and information exchange, is available to all. Those who can help us cover the overhead are very much appreciated, as this is our main source of funding. NOTE: Membership for wives is always free.
How to Join BWNVVA
How to join and use the BB
How to buy a BWNVVA Lapel Pin
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