Las Vegas VFW leader vies for national post

Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997 | 7:29 a.m.

When Odis Ward graduated as valedictorian from Desha High School in McGehee, Ark., in the mid-1950s, he had earned a partial scholarship to Arkansas State.

But he chose a different path, going into the Air Force and carving out a 20-plus-year military career that included three tours in Vietnam.

He never regretted his decision and, as a civilian, has become one of Southern Nevada's strongest advocates for veterans rights.

Last week, Ward, a 19-year resident who once served at Nellis Air Force Base, began a three-year campaign to become the national junior vice commander -- the No. 3 man -- of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ward, 57, hopes to become the first black ever elected to the position. He also would be just the second Nevadan ever to hold one of the three top posts in the nation's largest veterans organization. The late Leslie Fry of Reno was the national commander in 1966-67.

"We now have thousands of minority members, but still, a great many minorities won't join the VFW because they don't see an African-American or other minority in one of the top three positions," said Ward, a past two-term commander of VFW Post 10047.

"I want to show them that at the national level there is room for a black man who is willing to work hard. And I believe I will have the support of many white members because they have seen the hard work I have done over the years for all veterans."

Such a long campaign for the one-year, $160,000 post is considered necessary to demonstrate the dedication and sincerity of the candidates. They will log thousands of miles to meet and talk with as many voters as possible.

Election to junior vice commander generally results in an automatic election to senior vice commander the next year and commander the year after that.

Each year, a different region produces the vice commander candidates, who are voted on by members nationwide. The election of a candidate from the Western region, which encompasses 17 states, Latin America and the Caribbean, will occur at the VFW national convention in the year 2000.

Ward is one of eight declared candidates from the Western region, including an opponent who is attempting to become the first Hispanic to hold the office. Ward is the only candidate from Nevada.

Ward was instrumental in bringing the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery to Boulder City, the O'Callaghan Federal Hospital to Nellis and the new VA clinic to Owens Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

The retiree who does volunteer work as a medical clerk at the VA clinic also has worked to keep membership in the 3.7 million-member VFW from lagging.

"A number of veterans believe the VFW can do nothing for them except provide a place to drink and tell war stories -- but that is the greatest myth," said Ward, who has earned the Military Order of the Cooties for his work at veterans hospitals and clinics.

"The VFW is all about helping members of the military as well as veterans and their widows get the benefits the government has promised."

Ward regularly joins other local veterans in making treks to Washington, D.C., to lobby the congressional delegation in favor of the veterans agenda.

"Odis is an effective advocate for veterans issues and causes," said Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., a veteran. "He has long had a high profile in the veterans community and is firm in his dedication to helping veterans."

Jim Parsons, a 30-year Las Vegan who is commander of VFW Post 10047 and past commander of VFW Post 1753, echoes those sentiments.

"In the 15 years I have known Odis, he has been Mr. VFW in Southern Nevada," Parsons said. "He has visited veterans hospitals (throughout the Southwest) and has been dedicated to helping veterans and their widows."

Ward came from humble beginnings. He was born and raised in McGehee, a small town 105 miles south of Little Rock. Ward experienced the tribulations of growing up black in the segregated South during the 1940s and '50s.

In the Air Force, Ward worked in supply -- a position that prepared him for civilian jobs. He rose to the rank of master sergeant and also did helicopter surveillance work, often rescuing people caught in mine fields. In Vietnam, Ward served at Phanrang, Danang and Saigon.

Ward, who served the last of his military days at Nellis, retired from active duty in 1978 and decided to make Southern Nevada his home.

He first worked in supply at the Nevada Test Site, and later worked for Electronic Data Technology in shipping and receiving, the Golden Nugget as a slot floorman, the Haynes Henderson plant in shipping and the VFW as post development director.

Ward served consecutive terms as VFW Post 10047 commander in the early 1980s, state commander in 1987-88 -- earning the coveted All-American status -- and on several key VFW committees, including the Western Conference chairmanship.

Ward and his second wife, June, have five children. His only son currently is in the Navy and two of his daughters are military veterans who served in the Army in the Persian Gulf War.

Ward estimates he will need $60,000-70,000 over three years to fulfill his dream of reaching the top echelon of the VFW. Most of the money will go toward travel and publicity expenses.

"Some of my opponents come from states that have organizations that can afford to finance their campaigns," he said. "But I am in this race for the long haul and will have to rely on local donations."

Donations can be made through VFW Post 10047 at 643-1623.