(Washington, D.C) – “On behalf of Vietnam Veterans of America, I am pleased to announce that James L. McCormick II, U.S. Army (Ret.), has joined our team as VVA’s Director of Government Affairs,” said Jack McManus, VVA National President. “We are fortunate to have James join our VVA family,” noted McManus. “McCormick, a native of West Virginia native, is the son of a Vietnam veteran who has continued in his family’s tradition of military service.
A veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, he has spent 22 years in the Army and Army National Guard.” Among his numerous awards are the Silver Star, three awards of the Bronze Star with Valor, and three Purple Hearts. “His deep experience gives him a unique perspective and appreciation for the VVA spirit as we carry our values forward to future generations,” said McManus.
Following his military service, McCormick served as National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and director of several veteran affairs-focused civilian organizations. He was an early leader and served as Director of the Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture program in West Virginia. In this role, he wrote original legislation, creating the first state veterans-to-agriculture program; assisted veterans in agriculture; trained 64 veterans in the first year, 31 of whom started and maintain businesses today; provided agriculture therapy for suicide prevention and quality of life improvements; and personally worked to secure the first $400,000 agriculture therapy grant in West Virginia.
In 2012, McCormick was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor Citizen Service Above Self Award for “selflessly helping hundreds of homeless veterans find jobs and housing through his non-profit Raising Cane Farms.” Most recently he served as President/CEO of West Virginia’s only River and Inland waterways museum and education center.
