“Paulette Carlson, in addition to being one of the greats of country music, has been a long-time advocate for Vietnam veterans and their families,” said VVA President John Rowan. “We are honored that she will be with us in Tucson to help us kick off the Leadership Conference.”

Carlson formed Highway 101 in 1985. Within a few years the band was one of the nation’s most popular country music acts, having a slew of No. 1 hits and being named Vocal Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association two years in a row. Carlson left the band in 1990 to start a solo career and devote more time to her husband and baby daughter.

In 2004 she wrote “Thank You Vets” in honor of her brother Gary, who served as a medic with the 82^nd Airborne Division and the 173^rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, as well as the many other Vietnam veterans she has known. That moving tribute is part of her recently released album It’s About Time.

The Leadership Conference brings together hundreds of Vietnam veteran advocates from around the nation. They will take part in four days of seminars, meetings, and other activities. VVA’s supporting organization, the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, will hold its biennial convention and national elections concurrently with the Leadership Conference.