#stillserving: the vfw podcast by The Veterans of Foreign Wars

Host Rob Couture convenes a powerhouse panel from the VFW Washington Office — Ryan Gallucci, Kristina Keenan, Mike Figlioli, and special guest Pat Murray — to tackle misleading media portrayals of veterans' benefits and defend the promise made to all who serve.

Host Rob Couture welcomes Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin's 3rd District to the podcast. Van Orden is a retired Navy SEAL, VFW Life Member, chairman of the House VA Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, and recent recipient of the VFW Life Saving Award.

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.

In this dynamic episode of #StillServing, host Rob Couture is joined by Mike Figlioli, Gabby Kubinyi, Ryan Gallucci, and Brittany Dymond Murray to break down a truly historic VFW National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, the organization's birthplace. From the logistics of setting the stage and running the Claims Clinic to the long hours of delegate business, the team offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how convention comes together.

In this engaging episode of #StillServing, Rob Couture and co-host Brittany Dymond Murray sit down with Tammy Barlet, Jennifer Ross, and Kristina Keenan for a deep dive into the partnership between the VFW and Student Veterans of America (SVA). Together, they explore how SVA chapters support student veterans on campus, the impact of the GI Bill, and the opportunities created through the VFW–SVA Legislative Fellowship. From personal journeys to national advocacy, the conversation highlights how the next generation of veterans is shaping policy, building community, and carrying forward the VFW's legacy of service.

In this action-packed episode of #StillServing, Rob Couture is joined by co-host Brittany Dymond Murray and VFW national leadership for a wide-ranging discussion on veteran advocacy, legislative wins, healthcare reform, and diplomacy. With guests Kristina Keenan and Ryan Gallucci, they unpack recent victories like the passage of the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, explore the challenges veterans face accessing community care, and recount the VFW's pivotal role in strengthening U.S.–Vietnam relations over the past 30 years.

Rob Couture is joined by Brittany Dymond Murray and members of VFW Post 152 in this pre-Independence Day episode of #StillServing to explore the powerful true story behind the podcast Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah. They reflect on how the Post weathered a major deception, maintained integrity, and continued serving their community with purpose and pride. From verifying service eligibility to navigating public fallout and strengthening community trust, this episode highlights the importance of transparency, resilience, and the enduring commitment to support fellow veterans—no matter the challenge.

Host Rob Couture is joined by key members of the VFW Washington Office to discuss major advocacy initiatives, spotlight ongoing support for veterans, and reflect on the U.S. Army's 250th birthday celebration.

In this episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast, host Rob Couture welcomes back co-host Brittany Dymond Murray in a new virtual capacity and is joined by VFW Washington Office staff to discuss a range of critical veteran issues. The team recaps a meaningful Memorial Day weekend, including wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They honor the legacy of past VFW National Commanders interred at Arlington and reflect on the significance of National Commander Al Lipphardt's personal connection to the Vietnam War.

In this episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast, host Rob Couture catches up with his fellow directors of the VFW Washington Office after an almost two-month-long hiatus. 

In this episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast, host Rob Couture and co-host Brittany Dymond Murray speak with VFW Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt and Chief of Staff Jeff Carroll about the organization's ongoing efforts to support veterans. Lipphardt shares his military background, how he joined the VFW, and his leadership philosophy which is centered on integrity, responsibility, and military values. The discussion highlights the VFW's advocacy work, including their upcoming Washington Conference, where Lipphardt will testify before Congress on key veteran issues such as healthcare, VA funding, and disaster response efforts. He emphasizes the importance of VFW members actively engaging in leadership and advocacy, ensuring veterans' voices are heard at all levels of government.

In this latest episode of #StillServing, host Rob Couture explores the VFW's advocacy efforts, highlighting key issues affecting veterans and service members. From Congressional testimonies to veterans' healthcare access overseas, this episode sheds light on how the VFW continues to fight for those who served.

In this latest episode of #StillServing, host Rob Couture dives into critical discussions about the VFW's advocacy efforts and achievements, joined by an insightful panel of guests. From legislative wins to empowering student veterans, this episode highlights how the VFW continues to make an impact for veterans nationwide.

In the second episode following the podcast's return, this hour is packed with compelling topics from an engaging panel of guests. In this holiday-themed episode, our host Rob Couture and guests explore the VFW's record-setting achievements in securing benefits for veterans, reflect on Pearl Harbor Day events, deliver a sharp critique of a controversial article on veterans' benefits, and wrap up with a spirited discussion about the upcoming Army-Navy game.

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast returns by popular demand! With a fresh studio setup and a revamped format, it's still packed with the engaging conversations you know and love.

Welcome to the new season of the VFW podcast. The new season will spotlight the recent changes within the veteran community from new initiatives to books being released to new laws that have been passed and updates to benefits.

Happy Veterans Day. As veterans, we all have our war stories, but none are greater than the ones that come from our Medal of Honor recipients. For this Veterans Day, we have a very special interview. Rob had the privilege of recording earlier this year with Medal of Honor recipient Army Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee, a Special Forces Operations Team sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan in August of 2013.

The observance of National Hispanic Heritage month goes on every year from September 15th to October 15th to honor the lives of American citizens with Hispanic heritage. That goes the same for the VFW as we are just a melting pot, a reflection of the greater society of our great nation. Although we are all different strands, America is much stronger when we are braided together, and nothing does that more than military service. Through the camaraderie, we are unidos, or joined together.

A little more than a month has passed since the landmark legislation of the PACT Act was signed into law by President Biden at the White House. It was a much-celebrated win for many of the VSOs and for veteran advocates who worked hard for so long to get a bill passed in Congress to finally award veterans the benefits and care they need after suffering for so long with the effects of toxic exposure during their military service.

The 123rd VFW National Convention just concluded at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City Missouri. It was the first time the convention has been back in full swing since 2019. One of the new things was an exhibit sound stage in the exhibit hall where #StillServing Podcast Host Rob Couture had the pleasure of interviewing sponsors, exhibitors, comrades, and special guests.

Ever since the invention of war, combat sports seem to have been part of the military community. It is something integral to the warrior class. Whether it be wrestling, grappling, boxing, martial arts, or even modern-day combatives, veterans, for the most part, across generations love a good fight. Or, at least, love watching them.

Each of us has a different reason for why we joined the VFW or why we joined a veterans service organization. Maybe it's because we needed help with our veterans' claim, and we found a service officer that offered us to be part of their organization? Maybe we were looking for the comradery we missed when we left the military? Or, maybe, we were just looking for a way that we could still serve even though we were no longer in uniform?

This episode of the #StillServing podcast aptly drops on the National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, April 9th. During the podcast, Rob speaks with Tim Borland, VFW Senior Vice Commander-In-Chief, and Duane Sarmiento, VFW Junior Vice Commander-In-Chief, about their informative trip to Hawaii to discover how the VFW can better support troops in the field. During their visit to the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, they see firsthand how the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) works to bring back the remains of POW/MIA service members. To describe the mission of the DPAA in detail and describe how they piece together lost stories of American war history, Rob is joined by DPAA members Kelly McKeague, Director, Greg Kupsky, Historian, Rachel Wendt, Forensic Anthropologist, and Capt. Matt Moschgat, Executive Officer, DPAA Indo-Pacific Region.

The month of March is Women's History Month and National Nutrition Month. To recognize them both in one episode, Host Rob Couture speaks with two women who are the epitome of poise, polish, and empowerment.

February is a significant month when it comes to black history. The 13th amendment, which abolished slavery, was passed by the House of Representatives on January 31, 1865, and the following day President Lincoln approved a joint resolution of congress submitting it to the state legislature for ratification. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass's birthdays are also in February. It's no wonder that the second week of February was chosen as National Negro History week back in 1926. Other important dates like the founding of the NAACP on Feb 12th, 1909 was the centennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

Everyone wants to operate at their top level of mental, emotional, and physical performance. Often, when service members leave the military, many believe they won't ever be at the top of their game again but that is not true. So, if now is the time of year when your New Year's resolution is going by the wayside, starting to slip through the cracks, or maybe even forgotten about altogether, here is some inspiration to help you get back after it.

The VFW is dedicated to the wellness of our members. Physical and mental wellness are well-known attributes of a good life but few consider financial wellness as a contributing factor to overall wellness. As we begin the new year, we always want to do better. We have resolutions. We want to make better financial decisions using all of the tools at our disposal. But, it can be a hunt to discover what all those tools are.

Just imagine it is December 1989, and you think you are just going out on a regular training mission. As it turns out, you are getting ready to jump into combat. That is what happened to SEAC (Ret.) John Wayne Troxell when he was a young Staff Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division. And thus began Operation Just Cause and the invasion of Panama. John and his unit were the only people to ever jump into combat with armored vehicles.

This summer was a tough time for many veterans who watched the evacuation of Afghanistan and the end of the war after 20 years. It was difficult for many veterans to deal with the feelings that surfaced as they watched everything unfold. To give those feelings an outlet, Host Rob Couture decided to give veterans a platform to share their perspectives of history, combat, and what life was like serving their country at a time of war. In this episode, he speaks with Tony Mayne, an Army Ranger who jumped into Afghanistan the month after 9/11 as the war in Afghanistan and the global war on terrorism began. Now retired, Tony is the Founder and CEO of the Ranger for Life program.

In this special Veterans Day edition of #StillServing, Host Rob Couture interviews his friend and the only living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Iraq War, Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia. David was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 25, 2019, for his action at the battle of Fallujah.

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This past September 29^th, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States celebrated its 122^nd birthday. As one of the nation's oldest combat veterans service organizations, the VFW has been unwavering in its devotion to serving those who served. Whether it's fighting for health care, education, or disability compensation — No One Does More For Veterans than the VFW.

If you are a veteran enrolled in college for this fall semester, you are more than likely knee-deep in classes by now. If you took advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill you're probably not worried about the debt. But, scholarships can go a long way to help you reach educational goals when benefits don't quite get you there. Since 2013, the generous folks at Sport Clips Haircuts have helped raise millions of dollars for the VFW's Sport Clips Help A Hero scholarship. With that in mind, Rob took the #StillServing podcast on the road and traveled to San Antonio, Texas, for this year's Sport Clips Haircuts annual National Huddle convention.

ant is a present reminder that this pandemic is not quite over. Nevertheless, we must press on with life and continue to get after business even if we've got to make adjustments in the way we do things. The VFW's 2021 National Convention is proof that our organization can and will make things happen.

Veterans are a unique breed of individuals. They are the only demographic in the nation tied together by the oaths they take to the country and the values they hold instilled in them from the moment they step off that bus at boot camp. As they continue through life, the values, like duty and selfless service, continue to drive many of them to not walk past problems in their communities. When they see a need they step up to meet it. It's just who they are.

Veterans are a unique breed of individuals. They are the only demographic in the nation tied together by the oaths they take to the country and the values they hold instilled in them from the moment they step off that bus at boot camp. As they continue through life, the values, like duty and selfless service, continue to drive many of them to not walk past problems in their communities. When they see a need they step up to meet it. It's just who they are.

Camaraderie comes in many forms, from combat deployment to live-fire ranges, or field exercises. To ruck marches to morning PT sessions and back-to-back hour-long death by Powerpoint mandatory annual training. Service members almost always had a battle buddy there soldiering through it together. But, civilian life is much different and for some of us, the loneliness and lack of connectivity with others make even the most mundane aspects of life sometimes hard to bear. That is why there are many on this side of the DD-214 who have dedicated themselves to walking side-by-side with veterans through thick and thin, ready to encourage and help bring restoration to our warrior spirit. We speak with three men who have dedicated themselves to that cause today.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect, honor, and commemorate our nation's sons and daughters who laid down their lives in defense of all of us and our way of life. It is time to remember who they were and their selfless service to the United States of America, who flag-draped their coffins as one final embrace from the country they loved as they were laid to their final rest. Let us remember their sacrifice and find a way to commemorate them this weekend.

May is Mental Health Awareness month. If you are a proud veteran or service member who finds it difficult to reach out to others during life transitions, know that the VFW and veteran community is here for you. During this episode of the #StillServing podcast, Host Rob Couture reaches out, checks in, and starts the conversation about mental health and wellness. He speaks with the National Director for VA/DOD Mental Health Collaboration, a military evangelist and member of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and Ms. Veteran America 2019 2nd runner-up. They discuss the challenges veterans face, share useful resources and perspectives, and remind us of the many ways to connect so we don't have to go it alone.

During this episode of the Still Serving Podcast, Host Rob Couture shares news and information you can use to get motivated and get healthy. Dr. Jane Kim is the Chief Consultant for Preventive Medicine for the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Veterans Administration. She comes armed with all the information you need to know about the VA's COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Executive Director and Founder of Team Red, White, & Blue, Mike Erwin, is joined by VFW Director of Programs, Lynn Rolf, to discuss the newly created partnership between the two organizations and how we veterans can use it to enhance our wellness efforts.

Spring means tax time and for many veterans and military members, our minds are on our finances. 2020 brought the coronavirus, economic impact payments, job transitions, and for some, unemployment. All of these things can complicate filing your taxes. And, if you are planning to become a new homeowner or move this season, a VA home loan is designed specifically with the needs of veterans in mind.

Women were not legally permitted to be part of the military until the creation of the Army Nurse Corps in 1901. Since that time, women have been granted the right to vote and the right to serve in combat units. Today, women hold positions of rank, are decorated veterans, and continue to break glass ceilings.

Many veterans continue to give service to our great nation long after their military service ends. Some volunteer for veterans' causes, some support organizations such as the VFW financially, and some share their knowledge to enrich veteran's lives. We acknowledge all the individuals who give back to the veteran community with time, love, and compassion.

The VFW organization helps veterans to thrive by keeping veterans informed, engaged, and educated about all the benefits and programs available to them and their families. This podcast highlights how additional financial and charitable donations are collected and utilized, unique programs for minority veterans, and how veterans can continue to be of service through medical research.

In honor of Black History month, the VFW is highlighting veterans who made a difference during their service and continue to make a difference in their communities. The VFW donates to organizations that assist service members who have battled spoken and unspoken, systemic biases based on race, equity, and justice as well as other deserving causes.

Serving in the military instills strong values and honorable virtues that last a lifetime. But, when active duty is complete, keeping up-to-date with quality-of-life benefits and programs for service members transitioning into civilian life is essential. The VFW organization is always striving to gather the information that matters most to its members.

A successful mission is never the result of just one person. Those who have served, as well as those currently serving, know that no one goes it alone. By applying the teamwork ethic, VFW and its partners have served veterans for over a hundred years. Trust is a key tenet in our quest to assist our brethren. When members of the VFW family reach out for help, no matter the issue, we offer varying means of support provided by our organization, partners, contributors, and volunteers.

Chartered in 1899, the VFW is the oldest and most-experienced non-profit veterans service organization in the United States. Many people believe the VFW organization is funded by the Federal Government, but this is a common misconception. One of the ways the VFW offers the most comprehensive services to veterans is by collaborating with other veteran service organizations and maintaining good relationships with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Only 1% of the United States population serves in the military. Veterans Day, November 11th, is a day designated for Americans to recognize and honor the men and women of the military who served our great nation. It is a time to say thank you to those who protect our freedoms. Expressing gratitude for those who sacrificed many years of their lives in service is an impactful way to amplify awareness, strengthen communities, and show appreciation.

Welcome, one and all, to the first installment of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Podcast with host, Terrence Hayes. The VFW organization values veterans, active duty service members, and their families. It is so much more than telling war stories at the Post. Through this communications platform, we are intent on changing past perceptions and showcasing the inclusivity, community assistance, and mental health and wellness programs available to VFW members.

The VFW Podcast is the official podcast of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the oldest combat veterans service organization advocating for and serving our veterans, service members and military families worldwide.