Alliance's Vietnam Veterans chapter has a new home but the same mission
ALLIANCE ‒ The men sat around the card table, as they do every month in their shoebox base, only interrupting the business at hand with laughs.
All of them served their country, veterans of the Vietnam War, and have continued their service within the Alliance community.
For nearly 40 years, Alliance's Vietnam Veterans of America Thomas A. Mangino Chapter 157 has been helping men and women who served in Vietnam between Nov. 1, 1955 and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between Aug. 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.
Led by president Robert Akins, the organization currently has 68 life members and recently moved its office to 1500 W. State St., at the corner of Freedom Avenue in a former barbershop. Prior to that, they called a place on Union Avenue home. The group meets the first Wednesday of every month.
"The only brothers I've ever had in my life are the members of this chapter," said Kenneth Butler Sr., a co-founder and former president.
Akins added: "We share a bond that other people don't know what it is."
Army soldier, who is missing in action, is the chapter's namesake
The chapter started in 1985 in a log cabin at Silver Park.
It is named for one of Alliance's sons, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Mangino, last seen alive April 21, 1967, in a boat near Chu Lai, Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam. The 1962 Alliance High School graduate remains listed as missing in action.
Jeff Day, the chapter's treasurer, said Mangino's late wife, Connie, and parents, Helen and Angelo, never gave up hope. All three have died.
In 2021, the chapter unveiled a Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Memorial Park and families of Mangino and Ralph E. Hunt Jr., who died in Vietnam, helped dedicate it.
"We decided we wanted to leave something in this town for our generation, our era, and we did it ourselves," Akins said. "The community opened their wallets to us and it was very heartwarming to see how much money floated in our direction."
A stretch of the Carnation City's Main Street Extension also has been dedicated to Mangino. His name and photos also are displayed in the chapter's headquarters.
"We just don't want him to ever be forgotten," Day said, noting Mangino is Alliance's only MIA.
The chapter helps Vietnam veterans and the community
In multiple ways, the chapter stays involved in the Alliance community with scholarships, honor guard duties and volunteer work.
Day said they've helped Alliance Area Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Alliance Domestic Violence Shelter and the Alliance Community Pantry. They participate in local parades, as ceremonial guards, including the Carnation Festival's Grand Parade. They also lay wreaths at military graves.
Recently, Day pitched the idea of the chapter sending care packages to local military personnel overseas.
"I'd like to pursue it," he told Akins.
Akins responded: "Run with it."
The chapter's only moneymaker is selling beer at the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival's Food Fest on the campus of University of Mount Union in early August. Most of their funds come from dues and donations, Akins and Day said.
Akins said they provide college scholarships for Alliance High students and save money in a separate account with the Greater Alliance Foundation to preserve their mission after their deaths. None of the members want people to forget their history or sacrifice.
"Never forget Mangino. Never forget when we're gone," Day said. "Not only what we did during the war, but what we did in our community after the war."
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP.
About the group
Here are the 2023-24 elected executives in the Vietnam Veterans of America Thomas A. Mangino Chapter 157 in Alliance:
President − Robert Akins
Vice President − Joel Datz
Secretary − Robert Dillon
Treasurer − Jeffrey A. Day
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance's VVA Mangino chapter serves Vietnam veterans, community
