COMMANDER RECAP OF 126TH NATIONAL CONVENTION

Department of Europe Commander’s Recap of

the 126th National Convention

 
 
 

Columbus, Ohio – 9–13 August 2025

 

 

Comrades,

I am proud to report that the Department of Europe made a powerful showing at this year’s National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, the birthplace of the VFW. With 23 members in attendance and 283 delegate votes, we carried the third-largest voting strength in the nation—behind only Virginia and Texas.

The Department of the Pacific Areas (DPA) brought a delegate strength of 230, and when factored together, our overseas veterans represented the largest contingent at the convention. We share many of the same veterans’ issues with DPA, which was evident when the resolution on overseas Social Security verification was debated on the floor. Several members from both Departments spoke strongly in favor, and the resolution was successfully passed. To further highlight the bond between our two Departments, nine members from Pacific Areas joined our National Home Crusader ranks. Our voice from Europe was both literally and figuratively heard loud and clear throughout the convention.

We also celebrated several major accomplishments:

 

  • Service Officer Bobby Dorris successfully passed all four Department of Europe resolutions, a tremendous victory for veterans living in Europe.

  • Congratulations to Comrades Aldridge, Hachey, and Buechner, who earned All American honors and proudly walked the stage to receive their All American hats from Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphard.

  • Comrade Mascetti was sworn in as our National Council Representative, continuing Europe’s strong leadership presence at the national level.

 

At the national leadership elections, we congratulated:

 

  • Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore (Iowa)

  • Senior Vice Commander Cory Geisler (Wisconsin)

  • Junior Vice Commander Glenn Umberger (Pennsylvania)

 

We are especially honored that Commander-in-Chief Whitmore has committed to visiting Europe in January 2026, while Comrades Geisler and Umberger plan visits in November 2025. More details will follow as planning is finalized.

 

Several important resolutions were also passed, including authorization for a second official VFW hat—a baseball-style cap. Exact details will be provided in a future communication, but a sample is attached for your awareness.

 

Perhaps one of the biggest wins for our Department was Commander-in-Chief Whitmore’s support for restoring a Department of Europe seat on the National Legislative Services Committee. Once this is finalized, we will once again have a paid representative during the Washington Conference in March, ensuring that veterans in Europe have a strong voice advocating directly in Washington, D.C.

 

Comrades, this convention was a testament to the strength and unity of the Department of Europe. We showed up, we were heard, and we made a real difference for veterans across our communities. I could not be more proud of the accomplishments we achieved together.

 

"For Veterans, By Veterans"

 

Yours in Comradeship,



John J. Casey III
Commander
VFW, Department of Europe