James Tuorila of East St. Cloud has been elected as the new surgeon general for the international Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.
“I was humbled by it,” Tuorila said. “I never imagined I'd climb this high or this fast in the VFW. It also came as a surprise no one would run against me.”
The VFW, which was founded 108 years ago, has posts throughout the world, including Europe and countries in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
During Tuorila's one-year position as surgeon general, he will serve at the discretion of the VFW commander in chief. As such, he could be sent to give speeches, to meet with groups, to visit veterans' hospitals or any other duties. He also serves on the VFW National Council of Administration and attends all of those meetings, which often focus on the needs of returning veterans.
He has also served as the Minnesota VFW surgeon general.
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