CONCERNED VETERANS FROM VIETNAM

The Concerned Veterans From Vietnam (CVFV) was born out of a deep sense of urgency and need to support their community back at home. While stationed in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy SEALs, Barry Wright was deeply moved by the injustices unfolding in African American communities across the country, particularly in his hometown of Chicago. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as a turning point. Just three days after the tragedy, Wright gathered fellow African American servicemembers on a beach in Vietnam to reflect on the urgent needs of their neighborhoods and to plan how they could take action once they returned home.

That moment sparked a commitment to continue serving—this time on American soil. After returning home to Chicago, wounded from combat, Barry Wright officially founded the Negro Veterans from Vietnam Foundation on August 14, 1968. The organization was dedicated to community empowerment, veteran advocacy, and rebuilding the neighborhoods that had been neglected and devastated. To reflect a broader and more inclusive mission, the organization later became known as Concerned Veterans From Vietnam.

When they returned home, they found their communities in crisis—marked by rising crime, graffiti-covered walls, abandoned buildings and vehicles, and little to no resources for returning veterans. Employment opportunities were scarce, and support systems were virtually nonexistent. In response, these veterans united and took action. They cleaned up streets, removed graffiti, mentored youth, and created a strong network to support fellow veterans and families in need. CVFV embodied the principle that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—it just takes a new form.

For over six decades, Barry Wright and his fellow Vietnam veterans have remained dedicated to their commitment to justice, service, and community. Today, their mission remains unchanged: to fight for equity, dignity, and opportunity—not overseas, but right here at home.

Concerned Veterans From Vietnam is the first and oldest Vietnam Veteran Organization in the United States.