VFW’s national commander visits Brandenburg Post 11404 By LARRY R. CURTS Gary Kurpius, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, visited Post 11404, Brandenburg on Jan. 8 to kick off a five-day, 14-city tour of Kentucky. Accompanying him on his visit were Mike Penney, National Council of Administration; Jim Bates, senior vice commander, Carlos Pugh, junior vice commander and Jim MacDonald, state quartermaster adjutant and Brian Duffy. Brian Duffy, Kentucky state VFW commander, opened the meeting by thanking those in attendance for coming out so early in the morning to meet the commander. He also recognized and praised our local post for their involvement in the community, their veterans’ membership in the VFW and the hard work of the ladies auxiliary. He then introduced Commander Kurpius to the group. Kurpius briefed local VFW members on the progress of their organization’s efforts to increase VA funding, long-term VA health care, and how the VFW supports members of the military, National Guard, Reserves and their families. “The National Guard and Reserves role in today’s military has changed drastically from the Vietnam War era,” he said. “Today, they are carrying a very heavy load in the fighting going on in Iraq. They are very much involved in our military actions.” He stressed the importance of getting these younger veterans into the VFW by adding, “They are the future of the VFW.” He closed by reminding the veterans that the role of the VFW is “Veterans fighting for veteran’s rights. My motto for my term as commander is “Vets First!” When asked later about working with the new Congress on veteran’s programs and funding, Kurpius stated he had already met with the Senate in October and was meeting with the House early this year. “I’m looking forward to working with them. I’m hopeful we can obtain the funding we need for health care, as that is a major concern for our veterans today! I’ve had positive comments and feedback, so we’ll have to wait and see.” Kurpius, from Alaska, was elected national commander at the VFW’s 107th national convention held in August 2006. An Army veteran who served in Vietnam from 1967-69 with the 541st Transportation Company, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Metal with four Bronze Stars, along with the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Metal. The VFW was founded in 1899 and has a current membership of 2.4 million members of the VFW and its auxiliaries located in approximately 8,500 posts worldwide. Our local post currently has 112 members and is seeking other qualified veterans to join. For information on the VFW, contact post commander, Wilbur Beasley. For the ladies’ auxiliary, contact Virginia Smiley, Glo Brady or Libby Richardson.
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Photo by Larry Curts