by Timothy P. Culbertson

The first Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter in Ohio was started in Cheviot in 1980, in the basement of 3236 Harrison Ave. This building was and still is owned by William S. Culbertson, local attorney. His son Timothy P. Culbertson, a Vietnam Nam combat veteran and Purple Heart Winner, started Chapter #10 in a basement office, loaned to him by his father. This Chapter became the first Vietnam Veteran of America Chapter, in the State of Ohio receiving it's charter December, 1980. In turn, it became the 10th chapter in the nation.

• Office was at 3236 Harrison Ave.
• P.O. Box was at the Cheviot Post Office.
• Meetings were held at Carson Lodge.

Even though the chapter was started in Cheviot, at the suggestion of Tim's father, Bill, the chapter was named The Cincinnati Chapter, because then as well as now, people as close as Dayton, Ohio would have said, "Where in the hell is Cheviot, Ohio", opposed to people anywhere in the United States, would know where Cincinnati, Ohio was. The name Cincinnati was used to capitalize on the name Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Chapter #10, of The Vietnam Veterans of America, was born in Cheviot, Ohio but had no connection in anyway, with The City of Cincinnati. Tim Culbertson is presently The Commander of Cheviot/Western Hills Chapter #3620 of The Military Order of the Purple Hearts. Even though there are hundreds of Purple Hearts Chapters in the United States, this is a new Chapter that Tim himself, started at the Amvets Post in Cheviot, March of 2000. Tim gave the chapter it's name because:

• Cheviot.... it's based in Cheviot.
  
• Western Hills... it draws from the Western Hills area.
  
• #3620... Tim gave the chapter this number 3620, in gratitude to the Amvets in Cheviot for giving him a free meeting hall. The address of the Amvets Post is 3620 Harrison Ave.