Chapter 30 President Barry J. Veden Speaks at AMVETS Convention
On Saturday, June 4, 2011, Chapter 30 President Barry J. Veden spoke to the Indiana State AMVETS Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. His talk was on the Battle of the Bulge and the men who fought in it.
“I was humbled and felt honored to be speaking to the AMVETS attendees,” Veden said. “They are such an honorable organization and perform wonderful work for our veterans. I was proud to be able to represent, not only our northern Indiana chapter, but all of the men who fought so valiantly during the largest land battle ever fought by the United States Army.”
At the conclusion of his presentation, a booth was set up where Veden was able to sign copies of his book, My Heroes, a compilation of interviews with 30 members of Chapter 30. The book was published in 2004, and since its original publication, 19 of the men interviewed for the book, including his father Edward (28th Inf. Div.), have passed away. “I feel blessed that I was able to conduct the interviews when I did so that those men’s stories about World War II and the battle they fought in will not be forgotten,” the Chapter 30 president said.
AMVETS is an all-volunteer organization originally formed on December 10, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri. On July 23, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216, making AMVETS the first World War II organization chartered by Congress.