I am excited to be serving as your department commander for the 2025, 2026 year. As the son of a Vietnam veteran and the father of an active duty service member I feel I'm in a unique spot. Looking back I see the generations of service members who have labored making the VFW what it is today - looking forward I see that's a generations yet to come that will rely on the work. We do with the VFW today, tomorrow and in the future.

We're coming off our fourth year of positive growth in the Tennessee VFW, I've set a lofty goal of 16,250 members for this year. I'm not interested in achieving a certain percentage or earning any awards, I just want us to see our organization grow and continue in the future. The key to success this year is retention and community service. We need to do a better job of communicating with our current members and getting out into our communities. This will put a spotlight on our posts, districts, and the department.

Because we are a volunteer organization and as the State commander, I hope that you will be generous with your time and knowledge. All I will ask of you is do what you can and help others.

"When I is replaced with WE; illness becomes wellness."          - Malcolm X

I have no doubt that The Department of Tennessee Veterans Of Foreign Wars is going to have a successful year. Let's show our neighbors, communities and fellow veterans that here in Tennessee, "nobody does more for veterans."