service organization boasting approximately 1.5 million members, including its Auxiliary.
Hal Roesch II Installed and the new VFW National Commander] “I stand before you, humbled, elated and ready to selflessly serve the 1.5 million members and its Auxiliary as we continue the tradition of serving America’s veterans, service members and families worldwide,” said Roesch.
Roesch is a 20-year U.S. Air Force retiree serving from 1982 to 2002. He earned his VFW eligibility during his combat service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and overseas service as part of Southern Watch. Roesch is a recipient of three Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, two Air Force Achievement Medals, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three campaign stars, and numerous other awards and decorations.
Roesch joined the VFW in 1991 at VFW Post 3034 in Sumter, South Carolina, and became a Post commander at VFW Post 4542 in Spring Lake, North Carolina. He now maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership at VFW Post 3219 in Phoebus, Virginia.
Roesch has served in elected and appointed positions at the Post, District and Department levels, culminating with his election as VFW Department of Virginia commander from 2008-2009. On the national level, he has served on the Council of Administration from 2010-2012 and as the inspector general from 2016-2017.
Roesch said the VFW is preparing to build a 20/20 Vision For Veterans and it begins with re-educating and reintroducing the organization to its communities and local and national leaders.
“We are the pillars of our communities,” said Roesch. “We represent the strength of our nation. And we will lead the charge into 2021 and beyond in protecting the very benefits and entitlements that our service members, veterans and military families have earned through their sacrifice, commitment and selfless service in defense of freedom.”
Roesch said the VFW is more vital and instrumental today than it’s ever been because of the veterans serving at Posts around the globe.
“Our VFW remains the resilient force it has always been,” said Roesch. “We are stronger today because of you. Together, our voices will continue to be a dominant force in our communities, on the Hill and within the halls of the White House.”
He also reinforced the organization’s commitment to inclusivity stating, “Our doors are open to ALL eligible veterans, and today I stand here before you and personally invite all eligible veterans to join our organization.”
Roesch replaced William “Doc” Schmitz as national commander.
State Commander Russell Jobe
Sr. Vice Commander Doug Wood
Jr. Vice Commander Michael Raymond
State Quartermaster John Larney
State Judge Advocate James Morrissey
State Surgeon Jody Freitas
Chaplain Father Joseph Gallick
Congratulations to our newly elected Department Officers for the 2020-2021 Centennial Year
Russell Jobe joined the Navy in 1982 after graduating high school. Upon completion of advanced training, he was assigned to Antarctic Development Squadron Six (VXE-6) where he made three deployments to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze (1984-87). In 1990 he was transferred to the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) where he completed two deployments including the Gulf War which earned him the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He completed tours as a Technical Instructor at the Naval Aviation Technical Training Command (NATTC) in Jacksonville, FL. (1994-98), and aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), making an additional two deployments to the Middle East (1998-2001). Additional awards he earned include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (5th award), NATO Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and other campaign medals and Unit awards. He retired from Active Duty as a Chief Petty Officer in 2003. Russell joined the VFW in 2007 and is a Gold Legacy Life Member of Townsend Post 6538. He served as the Post Commander 2012-13, Post Adjutant 2012-Current, District 15 Commander 2015-17, District 15 Adjutant 2012-15 and two years as National Home Chairman. He is also a member of the American Legion. Russell and his wife Karen reside in Townsend, MA and he has two daughters, Ashley and Deanna.
To order:
Mail Check payable to:
Department of MA VFW
22 Beacon Street
State House
Suite 546-1
Boston, MA 02133
Cost $10 per coin
Shipping & Handling $3.00
July 11, 2020 Medway, MA, Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars Council of Administration unanimously passed a resolution this weekend in support of efforts to call on Governor Baker and the Legislature to take immediate action to increase funding to ensure sufficient staff, equipment and supplies to provide safe care at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke.
The resolution appeals to the state to expedite the design of a new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. The design would allow for the construction of fully compliant rooms for 250 Veterans, including a toilet and shower in each bedroom and supports the advocacy for an Adult Day Health Care program at the Home.
The Massachusetts VFW furthermore agrees that the state must meet the VA project submission dates of April 15, 2021 for these projects be eligible for consideration for the 65% reimbursement grant from the VA
March 2020 Newspaper - PDF
March 2020 Newspaper - Online
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hal Roesch II, of Hampton, Virginia, was installed as the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ 112th national commander today during a change of command ceremony at the VFW National Headquarters. Roesch assumes command of the oldest combat veterans
News
State House
24 Beacon Street Suite 546-1
Boston, MA 02133
617-727-2612
Massachusetts Centennial Commemorative Coin now on sale
June 19, 2020 Townsend, MA. The Veterans of Foreign Department of Massachusetts, elected its 101th State Commander at its 100th (Pro-Forma) State Convention as per National Executive Order #2 at the Townsend VFW Post 6538.
100th Annual Massachusetts VFW State Convention
Scheduled for Friday, June 26th, 2020
has been Cancelled,
The Department will follow National's Executive Order # 2
(see below)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING COVID-19 AND OPERATING PROCEDURES