#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Murray are joined by VFW Washington Office leaders Mike Figlioli and Gabby Kubinyi to discuss the upcoming dedication of the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial, leadership training for VFW officers and the organization's latest National Veterans Service accomplishments, including nearly $18 billion in reported benefits recoveries for veterans and their families. In this episode's Still Serving Spotlight, representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross discuss their humanitarian mission to locate missing persons, support families affected by armed conflict and provide answers to those who have spent years, sometimes decades, waiting for news of their loved ones. The conversation also highlights the power of veterans' stories, the importance of grassroots advocacy and the bonds of camaraderie that continue long after military service. Hosts Rob Couture - Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Outreach, VFW Washington Office Brittany Murray - Associate Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Outreach, VFW Washington Office Featured Guests Mike Figlioli - Chief of Staff, VFW Washington Office Gabby Kubinyi - Deputy Director, VFW National Legislative Service Still Serving Spotlight Fabrizzio Carboni - Head of Regional Delegation for the United States and Canada, International Committee of the Red Cross Cate Bird - Missing Persons and Forensic Manager, International Committee of the Red Cross Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 02:01 - Trajector Bankruptcy Update: What Veterans Need to Know 04:08 - National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial 07:30 - Remembering the Gulf War and Honoring Vietnam Veterans 11:06 - Training the Next Generation of VFW Leaders 14:26 - Strengthening Grassroots Veterans Advocacy 22:18 - National Veterans Service Training Conference 25:57 - The Power of Veterans' Stories in Advocacy 29:54 - VFW Announces Nearly $18 Billion in Benefits Recoveries 34:03 - Still Serving Spotlight: International Committee of the Red Cross 41:02 - Bringing Missing Persons Home and Supporting Families 51:05 - The Human Cost of Missing Persons 59:07 - How Veterans Can Help Families Find Answers 1:02:42 - Why Neutrality Matters in Humanitarian Work 1:07:20 - Ukraine's Missing Persons Crisis and Lessons for Future Conflicts 1:17:24 - Reflections on the Red Cross's Humanitarian Mission 1:20:54 - Good of the Order: Advocacy and Veterans' Stories 1:21:40 - The Importance of Military Camaraderie 1:24:02 - Army Anniversaries and Military Memories 1:26:58 - Closing Remarks Resources Trajector Bankruptcy Claims Information (Verita Global): https://www.veritaglobal.net/trajectory VFW Veterans Service: https://www.vfw.org/assistance/va-claims-separation-benefits VFW Action Corps: https://www.vfw.org/actioncorps Ask the VFW: https://www.vfw.org/asktheVFW International Committee of the Red Cross: https://www.icrc.org/ Listen to Still Serving: The VFW Podcast at https://www.vfw.org/Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. #StillServing #VFWPodcast #Veterans #VeteransOfForeignWars

For the first time, Still Serving: The VFW Podcast hits the road for a live recording from a VFW Post. Hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Murray, joined by VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci, visit John R. Webb VFW Post 3285 in Frederick, Maryland, to see firsthand how one Post is building for the future while strengthening its connection to veterans and the surrounding community. Department of Maryland Commander Todd Walter and Post Adjutant Patrick Pierson join the conversation to discuss Post 3285's growth, its new Post home and the role local, state and federal advocacy played in making the facility possible. The conversation explores mentorship, recruiting and retaining younger veterans, developing future VFW leaders and why grassroots advocacy begins at the Post level. Later, Post Commander Darrell Warren and Post Benefits Advisor Danny Rodriguez join the show to share how Post 3285 went from barely making quorum to standing-room-only meetings. They discuss community service, partnerships, veteran outreach and the role Post benefits advisors can play in connecting veterans with earned benefits and local resources. Then, the floor opens to the audience. The panel answers questions on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, preparing for the VFW Washington Conference, navigating veterans benefits, overcoming outdated perceptions of the VFW and supporting today's service members as they return home. Recorded live on the VFW's 127th birthday, the episode closes with a reminder that the VFW's future is being built where it always has been: in communities, through service, advocacy and veterans looking out for one another. Hosts: Rob Couture – Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach Brittany Murray – Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach Featured Guests: Todd Walter – Commander, VFW Department of Maryland Patrick Pierson – Adjutant, John R. Webb VFW Post 3285 Darrell Warren – Commander, John R. Webb VFW Post 3285 Danny Rodriguez – Benefits Advisor, John R. Webb VFW Post 3285 Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office; Assistant Adjutant General Episode Highlights: 0:00 – Intro and Roll Call 5:27 – Inside John R. Webb VFW Post 3285 8:14 – Building a Post for Future Generations 10:08 – A Model for Membership and Involvement 15:38 – Why Grassroots Advocacy Starts at the Post 19:12 – How Advocacy Helped Build the New Post Home 20:37 – Turning Relationships with Lawmakers into Local Results 27:12 – Looking Ahead to the VFW Washington Conference 30:06 – Community Engagement at Post 3285 30:55 – From Barely Making Quorum to Standing Room Only 32:02 – Serving Veterans and the Frederick Community 45:16 – What Does a Post Benefits Advisor Do? 49:01 – Turning Veterans' Experiences Into Advocacy 52:59 – Expanding Access to Veterans Benefits Assistance 1:00:55 – Developing the Next Generation of Post Leaders 1:02:32 – Live Audience Q&A 1:03:02 – Latest on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act 1:08:23 – Advice for First-Time VFW Washington Conference Attendees 1:17:15 – Finding and Understanding State and Local Veterans Benefits 1:20:22 – Moving Beyond the "Old Boys" VFW Stigma 1:27:50 – Supporting Today's Service Members When They Come Home 1:38:08 – Good of the Order 1:38:31 – Why the VFW Action Corps Matters 1:40:12 – "This Is Not Your Grandfather's VFW" 1:41:21 – Reconnecting With the Veterans Who Shaped Your Life 1:43:01 – Learning From the VFW's Advocacy History 1:46:57 – The Future of Live Still Serving Episodes 1:48:51 – Closing Thoughts

VFW National Commander Cory Geisler and National Legislative Committee Vice Chairman Staci Boyer join hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray, along with VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci, for a wide-ranging conversation from the VFW Fall Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The group takes listeners inside the conference, from preparing new National Legislative Committee members to the evolving training that helps VFW advocates effectively communicate with lawmakers, staff and the media. Stacie reflects on her first year on the committee and discusses how personal stories can bring veterans' issues to life, including conversations surrounding Section 108, the Major Richard Star Act, the TAP Promotion Act, written informed consent and continuity of care. With campaign season underway, the conversation turns to political engagement at the VFW Post level. The group discusses Post facility rentals, town halls, candidate forums, campaign materials, VFW members running for office and the distinction between advocating for veterans' issues and creating the appearance of a political endorsement. Later, Cory breaks down Warrior Fitness Challenge, his initiative encouraging VFW members and veterans to get up, get moving and make physical activity part of their everyday lives. Staci, a competitive bodybuilder and gym owner, joins the discussion on strength training, consistency and ways Posts can encourage veterans of all ages and ability levels to become more active. Finally, Ryan digs into the VFW archives with a September 1926 issue of Foreign Service magazine. A century later, the parallels are striking: advocating for veterans' earned benefits, protecting veterans from exploitation and helping hospitalized veterans remain physically active.   Hosts: Rob Couture – Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach   Featured Guests: Cory Geisler – VFW National Commander Staci Boyer – Vice Chairman, VFW National Legislative Committee Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office; Assistant Adjutant General   Episode Highlights: 0:00 – Intro and Roll Call 3:47 – VFW Fall Legislative Conference 4:12 – Welcoming New National Legislative Committee Members 6:49 – Mobilizing VFW Advocates and Section 108 10:54 – How Advocate Training Has Evolved 12:04 – Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Advocacy Training 14:03 – Preparing VFW Advocates to Work With the Media 19:34 – Legislative Priorities and Meetings on Capitol Hill 21:54 – A Veteran's Story Demonstrates the Stakes of Advocacy 25:22 – Why Storytelling Matters 27:13 – Navigating Complex Veterans' Issues in Congress 29:46 – Continuity of Care and the TAP Promotion Act 31:22 – Cory on the Power of Personal Stories 35:19 – Challenging Lawmakers to See Programs Firsthand 37:23 – Campaign Season and VFW Political Engagement 39:03 – Post Rentals, Candidates and Avoiding Implied Endorsements 42:57 – Town Halls, Candidate Appearances and Post Events 46:13 – VFW Members Running for Office 47:44 – Lessons From a Nonpartisan Candidate Forum 51:15 – Wearing VFW Identifiers at Political Events 53:09 – Speaking as an Individual vs. Speaking for the VFW 54:40 – Warrior Fitness 58:31 – VFW Leaders and Members Getting Moving 1:00:00 – Strength Training and Women Veterans 1:02:29 – Bringing Fitness and Wellness to the Post Level 1:03:55 – What Was the VFW Doing 100 Years Ago? 1:05:03 – Inside the September 1926 Foreign Service 1:06:45 – Veterans' Benefits and Wellness, Then and Now 1:07:59 – Good of the Order 1:09:05 – Cory Meets a Virginia Post Charter Member 1:10:49 – Remembering the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 1:13:03 – Ask the VFW 1:14:30 – Brittany Reconnects With Her First VFW Post 1:14:50 – Rob Runs Into an Old Teammate at the Pentagon Memorial 1:16:10 – Closing Thoughts

Rob, Brittany, Kristina and Ryan return to the podcast to break down a busy September for veterans' advocacy in Washington, including the latest congressional activity, the VFW's continued opposition to Section 108 of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, and preparations for the VFW Fall Legislative Conference.   The team discusses why the VFW continues to push back against using future veterans' disability benefits to fund other legislation, including the Major Richard Star Act. They address criticism surrounding the VFW's position, explain why proposed changes to the VA rating schedule are not inevitable, and emphasize the importance of preserving the regulatory process. They also highlight the power of grassroots advocacy, with VFW Action Alerts generating nearly 95,000 messages to Congress regarding Section 108.   The conversation turns to the VFW Fall Legislative Conference and the National Legislative Committee members who advocate year-round in their communities and on Capitol Hill. Kristina and Ryan explain how VFW members can become more involved in advocacy, how resolutions give individual members a voice in national policy, and how programs like the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship help develop the next generation of veteran advocates.   In the Still Serving Spotlight, Rob and Brittany welcome Dr. Kelly Brown of the Allied Forces Foundation to discuss the Warrior Yomp, a long-distance endurance event bringing together wounded, ill and injured veterans and allied service members from around the world. Brown shares how the foundation uses physical challenges, camaraderie and international partnerships to help veterans reconnect, heal and find their communities.   The episode closes with a personal reflection ahead of the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 and the fifth anniversary of the end of the war in Afghanistan. Rob, Brittany, Kristina and Ryan share how 9/11 affected their lives and military service, the challenges of reconciling the end of America's longest war, and why continuing to serve and advocate for the generations that follow remains so important.   Hosts:   Rob Couture – Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach   Featured Guests:   Kristina Keenan – Director, VFW National Legislative Service Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office   Still Serving Spotlight Guest:   Dr. Kelly Brown – Board Chair and Operations Officer, Allied Forces Foundation   Learn More:   VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship: https://www.vfw.org/StudentFellowship    Allied Forces Foundation and Warrior Yomp: https://www.alliedforcesfoundation.org/    Ask the VFW: https://vfw.org/AskTheVFW    127th VFW National Convention highlights: https://vfw.org/Convention    Episode Highlights:   0:00 Intro and Roll Call 4:11 Congress returns and VA electronic health record oversight 13:17 Latest on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act 16:07 Why the VFW opposes Section 108 21:50 Major Richard Star Act and questions over funding 29:56 Nearly 95,000 messages sent to Congress through VFW Action Alerts 31:28 VFW Fall Legislative Conference 34:34 Training the VFW's grassroots advocates 39:06 How VFW members can get involved in legislative advocacy 44:32 The power of VFW resolutions and member-driven advocacy 45:46 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship 49:28 Legislative priorities heading into the fall 54:25 Still Serving Spotlight – Dr. Kelly Brown and the Allied Forces Foundation 56:08 How Allied Forces Foundation brings veterans together 58:22 The 2026 Warrior Yomp 1:02:36 Building camaraderie among allied veterans 1:06:10 How veterans and supporters can participate 1:15:23 Finding connection and community after service 1:17:17 Good of the Order – Reflecting on 25 years since 9/11 1:18:45 Ryan Gallucci reflects on serving during 9/11 1:24:27 Kristina Keenan reflects on 9/11 and military service 1:28:31 Brittany Dymond Murray on loss, Afghanistan and finding meaning in service 1:34:38 Rob Couture reflects on 9/11, war and bringing his soldiers home 1:42:42 Continuing the mission through advocacy 1:45:35 Closing thoughts

Rob and Brittany welcome VFW National Legislative Service Director Kristina Keenan, Deputy Director of Grassroots Advocacy Gabby Kubinyi, and National Veterans Service Deputy Director Chris Macinkowicz for a wide-ranging discussion on veterans' benefits, advocacy, and the choices lawmakers make that affect those who served. The team provides an update on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act and the VFW's continued opposition to its proposed funding mechanism. With more than 80,000 grassroots messages sent to Congress, they explain why lawmakers have other options for advancing important veterans legislation without reducing future disability benefits. The conversation also challenges misconceptions surrounding VA disability compensation, fraud, tinnitus and sleep apnea, while emphasizing that earned benefits are part of the commitment made to those who serve. The discussion turns to today's service members and the realities of prolonged deployments, particularly for sailors spending months aboard ships away from their families. Chris also recaps the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs conference and how the VFW is finding new ways to reach veterans through remote claims assistance, Combat Tested Gaming and community connections. Gabby highlights opportunities available through the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship, while Kristina previews the Fall Legislative Conference and the organization's push to finish the congressional session strong. The group also underscores the importance of informed, nonpartisan civic engagement and holding elected officials accountable on veterans' issues. In the Still Serving Spotlight, Rob and Brittany welcome some of the team behind the upcoming feature film CIVILIAN: writer and director John J. Budion, producer Marissa Vitale, and Air Force Special Warfare veteran Anthony Budion. Inspired in part by Anthony's experiences, the film follows a veteran struggling to adapt to civilian life and explores PTSD, alcohol use, loss of purpose, moral injury, family reintegration and the difficulty of leaving behind the structure and identity of military service. Anthony shares the story of his own transition from the Air Force to the NYPD and FDNY and eventually into life outside a uniform, while John discusses drawing from his brother's experiences to create an authentic veteran character rather than relying on familiar Hollywood stereotypes. Featured Guests: Kristina Keenan – Director, VFW National Legislative Service Gabby Kubinyi – Deputy Director, Grassroots Advocacy, VFW National Legislative Service Chris Macinkowicz – Deputy Director, VFW National Veterans Service Still Serving Spotlight: CIVILIAN John J. Budion – Writer and Director, CIVILIAN Marissa Vitale – Producer, CIVILIAN Anthony Budion – U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Veteran and CIVILIAN Adviser Episode Highlights: 0:00 Intro and Roll Call 3:48 Take Care of America's Veterans Act update 7:03 Grassroots advocacy and more than 80,000 messages to Congress 9:52 The cost of veterans legislation and alternative paths forward 13:02 Congressional choices and the TAP Promotion Act 17:02 Protecting veterans' benefits and challenging disability misconceptions 18:53 Sleep apnea, VA disability compensation and fraud 23:39 The lasting effects of repeated military deployments 25:37 Supporting today's deployed sailors 32:41 Showing appreciation for service members and welcoming them home 35:22 National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs conference 36:30 Reaching veterans through remote claims assistance and Combat Tested Gaming 43:03 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship applications 48:16 VFW Fall Legislative Conference preview 52:22 Veterans, elections and nonpartisan civic engagement 1:02:16 Still Serving Spotlight – CIVILIAN 1:04:04 Meet the team behind CIVILIAN 1:06:03 The story behind CIVILIAN and the veteran transition experience 1:08:23 Building an authentic veteran story and cast 1:11:13 Why the film follows an Army officer 1:13:09 Moral injury and the invisible scars of service 1:14:44 Anthony Budion's transition from Air Force Special Warfare to civilian life 1:19:50 PTSD, alcohol, purpose and the struggle to "turn it off" 1:22:41 Military service and family reintegration 1:24:21 Portraying the military spouse experience 1:29:42 The CIVILIAN Veteran Impact Initiative 1:30:36 Creating opportunities for veterans in the film industry 1:32:34 Bringing CIVILIAN to military installations 1:35:14 Using authentic storytelling to bridge the military-civilian divide 1:37:34 Getting veterans' stamp of approval on the story 1:40:07 How veterans can get involved with CIVILIAN 1:41:50 Brazilian jiu-jitsu, camaraderie and Anthony's post-service experience 1:43:04 Target release timeline for CIVILIAN 1:45:05 Good of the Order – Food Edition