Update: Yes, I found the 'hidden' area under the AppleID / iCloud area - so allow apps to sync... and I selected Contacts, Messages, etc...
So, now--- My Messages app does show my messages... and the names of contacts, etc... So that is good.
However, this 'People' app is still blank. 36 hrs later... reboots, etc... It shows no one.
And I know my contacts are there b/c they show in the messages app now... and I downloaded a 3rd party contact manager from the App store on my vision pro and it shows all 900+ contacts... but not this 'People' app and I do not see a 'Contacts' app on my Vision Pro.
So I am not sure what this 'People' app is for... and I do not know why the "Contacts" app is not on this unit.