Rockstars!

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:

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Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

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