| Veterans
News Flash 
Texan Elected to Head Nation's Largest Organization of Combat Veterans
 America's largest organization of combat Veterans
has elected a Vietnam War Veteran to head the 1.6
million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States.
Glen Gardner, (right) a resident
of Round Rock, Texas, was elected national commander
August 21 during the VFW's national convention,
held August 16-21 in Orlando, Fla. Gardner is the
second Texan to head the 109-year-old Veterans'
service organization.
In his acceptance speech, Gardner, who served
in the Marine Corps from 1966-1970, reminded the
mostly Vietnam-era audience that to remain a vibrant
organization, the VFW must be attractive to today's
generation of military service men and women, so
they can assume more leadership roles within the
organization at the local level.
"We can't hold onto the concepts of another
era and expect to survive," he said, "Young
Veterans are not looking for a social club to belong
to -- they want to belong to an organization that
provides services to active-duty military, Veterans
and their families." Gardner added that he
would like to add 175,000 new members to the membership
rolls during his leadership year, as well as increase
post participation in the VFW's core programs:
Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen and Teachers Award.
Recognizing the need
for help and assistance to active-duty military
and their families, Gardner, who has chosen as
his theme, "Honor Sacrifice
and Service," said he plans on visiting more
stateside military bases to better gauge what services
military units need and how VFW can enhance its
traditional military services programs such as
Unmet Needs, Operation Uplink and military assistance
programs.
"We will do what our active military need
to make their service better, as well as work with
the individual service Morale, Welfare and Recreation
(MWR) departments, to enhance our services to the
active-duty military," he said.
During the Vietnam War, Gardner was an aircraft
mechanic with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine
Aircraft Group 12 in Chu Lai, Vietnam. His military
awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam
Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the National
Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with
device and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
In 1969, he joined VFW Post 2993 in Olathe, Kansas,
later joining Post 3359 in Garland, Texas, where
he maintains his life membership. He was elected
Post Commander in 1977 and again in 1983, and served
as Post Quartermaster for five terms. He earned
the title of All-American District Commander in
1981-1982 and was the Adjutant/Quartermaster for
the Department of Texas for more than 20 years.
The Texas Veteran also was instrumental in forming
the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations,
chairing the 600,000-member group for 15 years.
Gardner is a member of Military Order of the Cootie,
American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and
National Association of Uniformed Services. His
hobbies include golfing and antiques.
During his yearlong term, Gardner will log thousands
of miles to promote the VFW, Veterans' issues and
quality of life initiatives for active-duty, Reserve
and Guard members. By the time the commander's
term ends, he will have visited every state and
numerous overseas areas. Also elected were Thomas
Tradewell, senior vice commander-in-chief, of Sussex,
Wis., and Richard L. Eubank, junior vice commander-in-chief,
of Eugene, Oregon.
SOURCE:
Yahoo News
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