Rob Couture welcomes two historic leaders of the VFW in this inspiring episode of #StillServing: Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore and VFW Auxiliary National President Lois Callahan. Together, they share their personal journeys, their priorities for the year ahead, and their vision for how the VFW and Auxiliary can continue to strengthen advocacy and support for veterans and their families.
Whitmore reflects on her decades of Army service, her milestone election as the first female Commander-in-Chief, and her focus on advocacy, service officers, and the POW/MIA mission. Callahan discusses her deep connection to the Auxiliary, her father’s legacy of service, and her passion for expanding educational opportunities through the Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship. Both leaders also highlight joint initiatives, including vital support for the VFW National Home.
From legislative battles on Capitol Hill like the Richard Star Act and TAP Promotion Act to grassroots training and community impact, this episode captures the unity and determination driving the VFW and Auxiliary forward — proving once again that veterans and families together are still leading, still advancing and still serving.
Carol Whitmore's bio: https://www.vfw.org/settings/content/nationalofficers/carol-whitmore
Featured Guests:
- Carol Whitmore – Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Lois Callahan – National President, VFW Auxiliary
- Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office
- Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach
Episode Highlights:
0:00 Intro and Roll Call
3:40 Meet the Leaders – Carol Whitmore and Lois Callahan share their backgrounds
6:53 Auxiliary story – Lois Callahan’s path to leadership
11:58 Carol Whitmore reflects on becoming first female Commander-in-Chief
17:10 Legislative priorities and honoring the contract
20:11 Advocacy, service officers, and the POW/MIA mission
24:20 Joint project – Supporting the VFW National Home Store
31:03 Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship initiative
36:04 Legislative priorities on Capitol Hill – Richard Star Act and TAP Promotion Act
50:53 Building grassroots advocacy and legislative training
58:55 Good of the Order – Closing reflections
For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:
VFW Convention Highlights
Veterans of Foreign Wars Website
Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW
Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program.
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