John Kerry first became familiar with the VVAW through his sister Peggy, in 1969. After deciding not to run for Congress in 1970, Kerry went to Paris, site of Vietnam War peace negotiations, and met with Viet Cong representatives. After his return, he began participating in VVAW events. John Kerry became one the Vietnam Veteran's Against the War's most publicly recognizable figures. Especially after his appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in April 1971. As a veteran who was decorated with a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts, Kerry garnered attention and consideration that other anti-Vietnam War protestors could not achieve. Kerry went on to become one of the members of VVAW's national steering committee.
The coverage of Kerry is mostly intermittently spread across memos dating from 1971. Much of the clandestine surveillance is composed of reporting made by confidential informants. The files chronicle: John Kerry's rise in status as a member of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, A growing ideological conflict with the more militant direction the VVAW was heading in, Travel to Paris for talks with North Vietnamese peace talk delegation, Kerry's pitched battle with VVAW leader Al Hubbard, and Kerry's dissolution as a leader of the VVAW
It looks like VVAW was founded in '67 but then went more or less defunct in mid '68. Then they were revived in mid '70. Just about the time Kerry was discharged from the Navy, and went to Paris to meet with the VC political front. This is also the period when he married his first wife, Julia Stimson Thorne, and so got access to her money. She went with him to Paris, which was right after the marriage. Sort of a traitors honeymoon I guess.