The official and only STONEWALL Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") big button is round with a symbolic, dark pink outline of brickwork stones creating the "stone wall" effect.  The impressive button includes the S.V.A. name and the year of its inception in 1969.  New York City District Leader David B. Reck, who was commissioned by the S.V.A.'s founder Williamson Henderson to create this unique item, is the exclusive designer.  Mr. Reck is also the sole producer of the limited edition, optional pin-on or clip-on button.  The eye-catching S.V.A. button is distributed only to:  (a) the actual veterans of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion registered as S.V.A. members; (b) the Executive Committee elected by the S.V.A. membership; and (c) the significant S.V.A. Honorary Members approved by the S.V.A. Executive Committee.  The unique S.V.A. button is truly treasured!   

The STONEWALL Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") is comprised of the actual, surviving and active veterans of the 1969 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("GLBT") monumental 1969 Stonewall Rebellion at and the former regular patrons of The Stonewall Club (no one called it the "Inn") at 51 and 53 Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, New York, U.S.A.  The rebellion (it was not a 'riot') lasted five inconsecutive nights (they were not 'riots') from Friday, June 27th, to Thursday, July 3rd, 1969.  On two nights (June 30 and July 1) it rained, so, no one wanting to get rained on, the rebellion was postponed!  Symbolically, it was on the 'seventh day', July 4th, American Independence Day, that the united Gay community triumphantly celebrated our Gay independence -- though not our full civil rights and freedoms!  

The S.V.A. was founded on the following Friday, July 11, 1969, literally just a stone's throw from The Village in a New York delicatessen restaurant on 14th Street.  The S.V.A. organization is a cultural, historical, educational. advocacy and politically-aware, non-profit, volunteer organization primarily, but not exclusively, for the GLBT communities.  It includes the S.V.A.'s non-Gay friends and supporters.  The S.V.A. is registered (since 1969) with the New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau and listed with the City of New York's non-profit groups.  

The "STONEWALL Newzletta" is the popular publication of the S.V.A.  Originally a two-sided news flyer, it grew to a 16-page newsletter with commendation letters from public officials and business advertisements.  An "S.V.A. Speakers Bureau" of Stonewall veterans is available to other organizations and groups and for events and forums.  The Stonewall veterans of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion led the annual New York Gay Pride parades in Manhattan (1970 to 2009), Queens (through 2004), Long Island (until 2000), Brooklyn (through 2006), The Bronx (1998 to 2001 when they ended) and sometimes across the big bridge to Staten Island.  Spanning a few decades, the S.V.A. periodically partakes in the annual nighttime Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.  The S.V.A. leading any New York City parade is with the classic, eye-catching and now famous 1969 blue Cadillac convertible "Stonewall Car" with the big white wall tires and the colorful magnetic signs that read "1969 Stonewall Car"!  

For in-person 411, the S.V.A. regularly meets on the last Saturday of every month @ 4:15 p.m. at the New York City GLBT Community Center.  For more 411, telephone the S.V.A. at (212) 6-27-1969 (the exact date of the first night of the Stonewall Rebellion, June 27, 1969).  You may visit the S.V.A. on the worldwide web at their ten million verified 'visits' a year fabulous website at:  www.STONEWALLvets.org.