Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans
:

• 2021 Welcome Home, Vietnam Vets, Coordinator with David Abramowitz, Judge Floyd – Duval
• 2020 Distribution 7,000 Vietnamese handmade face masks to 31 VVA Chapters NE FL – Duval
• 2017 Agent Orange Vietnam Vets PTSD Workshop, Salem Centre
Agent Orange Seminar – Morocco Shrine and University N. Florida – Duval
• VIP Program – Founder – Veterans Treatment Court & Incarcerated Vets Duval Instrumental in naming VVA Chapter 1046 for namesake: Nicholas Cutina 
• Assisted forming VVA chapters – NE FL counties (Nassau, Baker, Clay, St. Johns, Duval)
• Life Member of the Knights of Columbus 
• Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America
• Life Member of Marine Corps League 
• Life Member of American Legion
• Life Member of the VFW 
• Life Member of the Loyal Order of the Elks Lodge

• Life Member of Semper Fidelis Society

• Life Member of the National Cemetery Committee

• Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans
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• ifetime Member of Marine Corps Heritage

• Lifetime Member of Fleet Reserve
Supporter of Clara White Mission for the Homeless,
• Sulzbacher Center Supporter Hospice of NE Florida and VA Domicile in Lake City, FL 
• 2016 Agent Orange Committee Chairman of VVA Florida State Council

• 2016 Co-founder/advisor -Incarcerated Vietnam Vets Chapter 1080

• 2013 Organized VVA National Convention, Jacksonville, FL attendance 700 vets Duval
• 2013 Assist with formation Vets4Vets Gatherings – Five Star Vets Center Duval

Civic Activities and Contributions: 

• 2021, attended memorial service commemorating memory of Nicholas Cutinha, namesake of Chapter #1046 
• 2020, distributed over 7,000 hand-made masks from local Vietnamese community to Vietnam Vets throughout NE FL, delivering to all area VFW, AL, Veteran Councils, including Daytona. 
• 2019, participated in the groundbreaking ceremony at Jacksonville National Cemetery 
• 2017, responsible for setting all military service flags in lobby – VVMA 
• 2017, coordinated Education Committee at Chapter 1046 where Vietnam Veterans travel to area Duval high schools to share their experiences in Vietnam. 
• 2015, Raised $40,000 for the Vietnam monument – Jacksonville National Cemetery
• 2013, Assisted with the formation of NE FL Vets4Vets

• 2013, Initiated Chapter 1046 Honor Guard which has attended numerous events in NE FL
• In 2012, organized the VVA National Convention, 700 in attendance, Jacksonville, FL
• Chairman of Florida Vietnam Veterans State Council
• Agent Orange Committee Hosted Agent Orange Seminars in Jacksonville, FL
• Morocco Shrine, UNF, Salem Centre
• Financial Supporter of Atlantic Coast Young Marines
Distributed quarterly donations from Kohl’s Care for Kids to Nemours and Wolfson Hospitals
• Instrumental in starting AVVA chapter at VVA # 1046

• Instrumental in forming Vietnam Vets chapters in Nassau, Baker, Clay and St John counties.
• Instrumental in fast tracking veterans in receiving their VA disabilities 
• Assisted over thirty-five Vietnam Vet widows with the necessary paperwork to insure they receive spousal benefits, DIC and SS, along with personal banking, burial arrangements, including locating marriage, death certificates, filing paperwork for burial at JNC. 
• Serves on the National Incarcerated Vietnam Veterans Committee
Serves as co-advisor to VVA Chapter # 1080, Florida Incarcerated Veterans Financial support, as well as greeting cards and gift cards to the VA Lake City Domicile 
• Financial support & assistance at Mandarin Food Bank for vets, homeless and needy families.
• 50th Anniversary of Vietnam Veterans travelled to area nursing homes, hospitals, private homes to distribute proclamations and pins with spouse,
• AVVA Chapter representative. Supporter of NE Florida Women Veterans Association – Deloris Quaranta 

  
Awards or Honors:

• 2021 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans NE Florida – Vet Treatment Court
• 2021 Recognition National Museum of the US Army

• 2020 Legion of Honor Award – Chapel of Four Chaplains

• 2019 NAVF Award – Champion of Veterans for supporting veteran causes
• 2019 Gung Ho Award – Jacksonville Semper Fidelis Society

• 2019 Certificate of Appreciation – USS Gallery FFG26 Reunion

• 2018 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans NE Florida – Judge Sampson
• 2018 – Member of the Year of VVA Florida State Council 
• 2017 – VVA Member of the Year Florida State Council 
• 2017 Certificate of Appreciation – American Legion Riders – Sulzbacher Center
• 2017 Certificate of Appreciation – Toys for Tots

• 2016 Veterans for Christ Award – Evangel Temple A/G

• 2016 Daughters of the American Revolution

• 2015 VVA Achievement Medal Award VVA Chapter 1046 – Most Membership Growth 

 
Narrative: 
It is an honor and privilege to nominate, President Anthony “Tony” D’Aleo, who has directed, organized and consistently led Nicholas J. Cutinha, VVA Chapter #1046, in Jacksonville, Florida since its inception in 2010. 

As already listed in Sections 6 & 7, President D’Aleo and his Vietnam Veterans are very active in Duval and the surrounding communities. At the onset of Co-vid, March, 2020 when the demand was greatest for masks, the Vietnamese Association and their Vietnamese community approached President D’Aleo with 18.000 hand sewn masks. Their desire to see these masks distributed to all the Vietnam Veteran (VVA) Chapters throughout Northeast Florida. Tony personally oversaw the distribution of masks to Nassau, Baker, Duval, Clay and St Johns, and Daytona VVA Chapters. As well, as many chapters of the following DAV, American Legion, AMVETS, VFW – Combat Motorcycle Vets and the Community Health Outreach, Mandarin Food Bank, Sulzbacher Center for Homeless Vets. President D’Aleo along with many of his members covered many miles of travel over the state of Florida at their own costs of travel to ensure the safety of our mature veterans. 

Despite Co-vid restrictions, President D’Aleo resumed regular meetings of VVA Chapter # 1046, at the Elks Lodge #221. VVA members who arrive early enjoy and were provided breakfast prior to the monthly business meeting. VVA members expressed how much they appreciated having the opportunity to share camaraderie with their brothers and sisters, during the trying and dark days of isolation from virus. 

During Co-vid, President D’Aleo continued to lead his men and women veterans, as they did not stop their monetary donations to the following charities who expressed need for help because of added Co-vid expenses. 

• Veterans Treatment Court
• Mandarin Food Bank 

• Claire White Mission 

• Sulzbacher Center 

• Vets4Vets 

• Atlantic Coast Young Marine 

• Korean War Monument 

• Marine Detachment 059 Monument 

• Community Health Outreach Food Bank 

• Operation Barnabas – Homeless V eterans 

• VVA Kentucky State Council for Tornado damage in KY 


President D’Aleo organized an Education Committee that has been active in several Duval county, high schools for over 10 years sharing with future generations the experiences of Vietnam with these younger generations. The county school administration has been so impressed with the Vietnam Education program they would like to expand its attendance and add additional schools. Also, annually VVA Chapter #1046 distributes two $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and is looking forward to increasing to three $1,000 scholarships in 2022. 

As part of the oversight, of VVA Chapter # 1046 President D’Aleo is responsible for the Mentees from Duval County Treatment Court who are taken to the Union Correctional Facility to interface with VVA #1080 Mentors. VVA #1080 Mentors explain why they are incarcerated. Why Veterans Treatment Court is good for the vet mentees and why they should take advantage of the help offered to them. VTC was not in existence 40 years ago nor available to them. Even with Co-vid restrictions, President D’Aleo still has accomplished the last two years to complete mentee visits during three quarters. 

On a regular basis, Pres. D’Aleo leads by example and encourages the ongoing monetary support to the cemetery at Union Correctional. This burial site serves as the final resting place for veterans who are unclaimed by their families. Many veterans call this the “Retirement Home”. 

President Tony D’Aleo has a long standing friendship and working relationship with Vets4Vets and the Semper Fidelis Society of which he is a member in good standing. He is always willing to participate in any function and support his fellow veterans for the good of the order, community, city of Jacksonville, county of Duval and State of Florida. His participation both physically and monetarily at these outreach events and gatherings is vitally important to the success of these in the Jacksonville community. 

VVA Chapter # 1046 Honor Guard is sought after and led by Tony D’Aleo, President and participated in four events throughout Northeast Florida in 2020 – 2021. 

In collaboration with Judge Sampson and John Holzbaur, they founded Veterans Treatment Court in Jacksonville, FL. 

In honor of the founder of Veterans Treatment Court, President D’Aleo, coordinated with Judge Floyd, in November 2021, who planned, organized and executed the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event, which honored those who had never received proper recognition upon their return from Vietnam. Rocky Blier, a former Vietnam Vet and NFL Steelers and Super Bowl winner was guest speaker, with over 550 Vietnam vets, guests and families, in attendance. 

Instrumental in fast tracking veterans in receiving their VA disabilities. 

President D’Aleo has personally assisted over a 10 year period, 35 spouses, advising them as to their Widow benefits, DIC – SS. He has searched thru belongings looking for DD-214s, military and VA records, assisted with National Cemetery. Assisting spouses to help file the correct paperwork for the surviving spouse to obtain Marriage and Death Certificates, reviewing and assisting in getting them corrected, if needed. 

After all that Anthony D’Aleo has accomplished, if this has not been enough to keep him busy. He has decided to step down as President of VVA Chapter #1046, he will serve as an Advisor to the new President and officers. He will be supporting the newly elected President Albert White. His leadership and insights will assist this very large and active Chapter. There are many VVA county chapters, state meetings, along with a large amount of traveling that will keep Tony D’Aleo still giving back to the Vietnam veterans and Northeast Florida veterans community for years to come. 

In conclusion, Tony D’Aleo was overheard recently speaking with a well-respected, Vietnam Vet brother, of African American descent and also a community leader. The two are planning to team up and start a new Vietnam Veterans Chapter, North Side, Jacksonville. It will be a much needed and welcome addition here, in the 3rd largest land size city in America, Jacksonville, Duval.