Art has been a part of VVI board member Tom Nielsen's life since his early childhood.

A Navy veteran, he served one year as a 50 Cal. Gunner in the Mekong Delta ('68-'69) and a second tour as a crewman aboard the Aircraft Carrier Ranger on Yankee Station ('69-'70)

Because of his Vietnam experience, veteran concerns have become part of Tom's life.

After his service in the Navy, Tom soon learned that many returning Vietnam veterans suffered from a poor image due to the unpopularity of the war. In an effort to create a positive event to help change this unfair opinion held by many Americans, he and nine other fellow veterans returned to the village of Cat Lai, S. Vietnam to help build housing for the families of disabled S. Vietnamese veterans. The group was unarmed, unpaid and lived without the benefit of military protection while constructing the housing project. During off hours, Tom delighted the local villagers and the children of a nearby orphanage by sketching their portraits. The effect of this good will gesture was significant and proved how well art can bridge language and cultural barriers. Friends were made with each drawing and to this day, a bit of goodwill still hangs on the walls of many Vietnamese homes. More importantly for the ten veterans who returned, they demonstrated to both the Vietnamese and the American public the true depth of character and commitment of Vietnam Veterans.

Since that 1971 project, Tom has continued to employ his artistic talents on behalf of the veteran. In 1973, he began working as an artist for the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC, where he now holds the position of Chief, Presentations Division. Over the past two decades, Tom's VA art has been seen by practically everyone in America. The logo for the Vet Centers was one of his early designs. In 1984, he originated the "chained eagle" image for the POW/MIA Recognition Day poster and was the designer of the series through and including the 1991 poster. Especially gratifying to him was the fact that tens of thousands of post cards displaying the image of his original 1984 POW/MIA poster were mailed to the government of Vietnam by concerned Americans demanding a true accounting of our MIAs. In addition to his POW-MIA art, a number of other nationally published designs including the 1990 and 1991 Veterans Day posters were products from his drawing board.

A member of the Vietnam Veterans Institute from its origination, Tom has played a significant role through his art in helping the organization meet its goal to be a positive influence on behalf of veterans. He has painted each of the annual Life Service to Veterans Award portraits. Among the dozen that have been awarded to date are canvases of Senators Robert Byrd and Robert Dole; Congressman G. V Sonny Montgomery; and General William Westmoreland.

In 1983, J Eldon Yates, Chairman of VVI, notified Tom of his idea to create a medallion honoring those still missing in Southeast Asia. The resulting design of a bald eagle proudly perched amidst the foreboding presence of a bamboo forest was approved by Congress and minted as a three-inch bronze medallion. One medallion was presented to each next of kin by members of Congress in ceremonies across the land. A derivation of that design became the logo for The Institute.

Recently Tom has begun a series of fine art prints commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The first print, called the Last Patrol, depicts a scene inspired by the Three Servicemen Stature at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. With a leap of imagination, Tom portrayed the bronze trio as living soldiers on a combat operation that he witnessed himself while in the Mekong Delta.

As if his work at the VA and other veteran art weren't enough, he also maintains a studio at his home in the Shenandoah Valley where he pursues a private painting career. Specializing in commissioned portraits, his paintings can be found in public and private collections nationwide.

When asked about his future, he confides that his paintbrush will continue to be his guide. Certainly, veterans will continue to be a significant inspiration for his art for some time to come.

Tom and his wife, Yolanda, have two daughters, Maria and Erica.

Inquiries about Mr. Nielsen's art may be addressed to the Institute.

Kansas Senator Bob Dole gives a thumbs-up at the unveiling of his portrait commissioned by the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Vietnam Veterans Institute. Dole received the group's fifth annual Life Service to Veterans award at a 25 May ceremony in Washington.

The award recognizes outstanding Americans who through public or voluntary service have made consistent, dedicated contributions to the well-being of America's Veterans.

In accepting the award, Dole said, "Let us renew our commitment to all our veterans, including the disabled, and to our POWs and MIAs and their families. We owe so much to them and I doubt we can ever repay the debt. But we will never forget them."

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