VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA strives to achieve the following:

  • Aggressively advocate on issues important to veterans
  • Seek full access to quality health care for veterans
  • Identify the full range of disabling injuries and illnesses incurred during military service
  • Hold government agencies accountable for following laws mandating veterans health care
  • Create a positive public perception of Vietnam veterans
  • Seek the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs
  • Support the next generation of America’s war veterans
  • Serve our communities

Chapter 862 Officers

President Larry Googins ljgoogins.vva862@comcast.net
Executive VP Corkey Romeo corkeyr@email.com
First VP Ron Heitzenrater heitzkr@gmail.com
Second VP Gary Shaffer bfairforce1963@gmail.com
Secretary Tom O’Neill tgoqv68@aol.com
Treasurer Jake Barsottini jbarsottini@gmail.com

Chapter 862 Board of Directors

Rich Heitzenrater – bonheitz@comcast.net

Ron Ippolito – theduke748@comcast.net

Rich Kamzelski – richkamm@hotmail.com

Ray Litzinger – raymondalglitz@gmail.com

Al Martin – cyclops_al@hotmail.com

Ross Prinkey – toolguy522002@yahoo.com

Bill Russo – billjrusso@aim.com

Don Villella – sgmdmvret@comcast.net

Bob Weismantle – weismantle908@comcast.net

Chapter 862 Standing Committees

Community ServicesRich Kamzelski 724-494-5752
FinanceCorkey Romeo 724-774-4711
Government AffairsBart Farzati 724-777-2193
Membership AffairsGary Shaffer 724-643-8941
Minority AffairsBill Russo 412-916-5609
POW/MIARon Heitzenrater 724-452-7483
PTSD & Substance AbuseRon Heitzenrater 724-452-7483
Veterans AffairsCarl Curtis 724-561-3268
Veteran BenefitsCarl Curtis 724-561-3268
Veteran HealthcareBart Farzati 724-777-2193
Veterans in the Justice SystemLarry Googins 724-869-7090
Women VeteransMichelle Wilcox 724-847 3463

Chapter 862 Special Committees

Constitution & By-LawsAl Martin 412-671-6314
Gold Star FamiliesBill Russo 412-916-5609
Highway CleanupCharles Ray 724-513-7804
Homeless Veterans“OPEN”
Hospitalized VeteransMichelle Wilcox 724-847-3463
Exchange StoreRoss Prinkey 412-720-6347
ScholarshipLon Hogue 724-846-8857
Suicide PreventionRon Heitzenrater 724-452-7483
Vietnam Memorial BricksRon Ippolito 724-869-5234
Veteran AssistanceCarl Curtis 724-561-3268
Veteran MemorialRich Kamzelski 724-494-5752
ElectionLon Hogue 724-846-8857

Chapter 862 Honor/Color Guard

CommanderBob Weismantle – 724-869-4942 (H), 724-900-5628 (C)
Assistant CommanderRay Litzinger- 724-378-5855 (H), 412-974-9192 (C)

Chapter 862 PA State Council Delegates

Jake Barsottini

Jim Brinker

Larry Googins

Rich Heitzenrater

Ron Heitzenrater

Rich Kamzelski

Ray Litzinger

Dave Marchetti

Tom O”Neill

Dick Pegg

Rich Raich

Bill Russo

Gary Shaffer

John Szatkiewicz

Bob Weismantle

Michelle Wilcox

VVA Chapter 862 Charter Members

Lloyd “Skip” HaswellRon Patterson (Dec)Tony YannachioneWilliam J McCartney
William Laughner (Dec)Frank “Lee” CorfieldGerald C. FisherRoy J. Barlett
Barry S. CampbellWilliam Bischak (Dec)Nick Pavkovich (Dec)Robert Eiler
John PapasoderoDonald T. WolfeTracey A. KingWilmer “Blaine” Allinder Jr.  (Dec)
Anthony R. SquadritoWilliam T. MunsWilliam WinkleDaniel M. Brynczak
JoAnna W. WilliamsonMichael A. MikulichWilliam L. WeissCharles E. Smith Jr.
George HaughtDon E. PickeringRonald J. DeSalle F. James Crytzer
David Sonnett (Dec)Peter  A. Petrosky (Dec)Steve GavuraThomas E. Harper (Dec)
Ken MeleskyAaron R. JohnsonRobert D. Doughty (Dec)Cameron Adamson
Danny L. Lipscomb Sr.James Patrick MontgomeryJim PattonGeorge A. Caffro (Dec)
Don VillellaRalph A. HagueSteve Stramella – Dec)Raymond L. Kosto
Chuck BedisonJames A. YeagerLarry R. PhillipsGary B. Shaffer
John Namath (Dec)John Helbling (Dec)Richard Baker (Dec)George R. Willy
Alex De La Cruz (Dec)William D. BeckWilliam HarlowDavid Bollman
Reuben J. FullerJon Neely (Dec)Harold Gallagher Anthony Pietrandrea