VFW Action Corps Weekly
VFW Urges Continuing Advocacy Action on TCAVA: The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA), H.R.9237 / S.4744, remains active in Congress despite the House pulling its planned vote earlier this year. The VFW’s position has not changed: veterans’ benefit expansions should not be funded by reducing future veterans’ earned disability compensation. As lawmakers still consider a path forward, the VFW is asking advocates to continue sending the clear message to their representatives and senators to vote NO on TCAVA as written. Take action.
Podcast Calls on Advocates to Return to Capitol Hill: From the dedication of the Desert Shield/Desert Storm Memorial to the fight for veterans’ benefits, this episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast covers advocacy, outreach and civic engagement. Hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Murray are joined by VFW Washington Office leaders Kristina Keenan, Gabby Kubinyi and Mike Figlioli to discuss TCAVA, the clean Major Richard Star Act, the upcoming Honor the Contract Fly-In, and ways veterans can make their voices heard. The episode also highlights Vet the Vote’s poll worker recruitment efforts, Rob’s MCON recap and a Halloween-themed Good of the Order with one unforgettable “Trick-or-Treat” story. Listen to episode 76, “Let's Rock and Roll The Hill,” on your favorite podcast platform or watch it on YouTube.
VFW Delegation Engages with Service Members, Military Families and Veterans in Germany: VFW Junior Vice Commander Bobby Lovergne Jr. and VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci visited Germany to hear directly from service members, learn about their mission, and inform VFW advocacy efforts supporting troops and their families overseas. The delegation met with military leadership from U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, Third Air Force and other commands; connected with service members to discuss quality of life and military transition; and visited Landstuhl Regional Medical Center to share VA benefits resources. The visit also included a tour of Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, meetings with American Forces Network broadcasters, and stops with members of VFW Posts 27, 10614 and 10810, strengthening connections with the overseas veteran community.
2026-2027 VFW-SVA Fellowship Class Selected: The VFW and Student Veterans of America (SVA) have selected six student veterans for the 2026-2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship. Now in its 13th year, the fellowship is an academic and hands-on experience during which students advance a shared VFW-SVA policy priority through community engagement and direct advocacy on Capitol Hill. This year's fellows will attend the SVA National Conference in January and the VFW Washington Conference at the end of February, where they will meet with lawmakers alongside VFW delegations. The 2026-2027 legislative fellows are:
- Andres Ruiz Grijalva, Marine Corps veteran, Princeton University
- Raymond Eberle, Army veteran, University of Southern California
- Shaun Paris, Navy veteran, Dartmouth College
- Joshua Missouri, Army veteran, Northwestern University
- Anna Guerrero, Army veteran, Florida International University
- Sheryl Torres, Air Force veteran, California Baptist University
VFW Leadership Attend Desert Shield & Desert Storm Memorial Dedication: VFW Senior Vice Commander Glenn Umberger Jr. and Junior Vice Commander Bobby Lovergne Jr. joined a delegation of VFW and Auxiliary members, family members and survivors from across the world, for the official dedication of the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honoring those who served in the first Gulf War. The VFW, its Departments, Posts and members were the first veterans service organization to pledge financial support for the monument’s construction which began in 2014.
Pentagon Changes Overseas Voter Forms: The Pentagon recently changed two absentee-voting forms for U.S. citizens living abroad. The Federal Post Card Application is used to register and request absentee ballots, and the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot is used as a backup ballot. The changes have raised concerns about potential confusion among eligible military and overseas voters. However, both the old and new versions remain acceptable for the 2026 elections. Voters who have already submitted an older form do not need to resubmit.