Everyone Has A Story To Tell: Focus on Black History Month
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Release Date: 02/23/2022
Absurdly Generous AND Dubious
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture is joined by Ryan Gallucci, Kristina Keenan, and Mike Figlioli from the VFW Washington Office to discuss the Washington Post’s latest coverage of veterans’ benefits and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The team addresses a recent series of articles that, they argue, mischaracterize how veterans access the benefits they’ve earned — including claims that veterans are “flooding the system” or abusing disability compensation. They provide context on how accredited service officers, like those in the VFW’s Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program,...
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Keep Calm and March On
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray go hybrid to tackle two urgent themes: real-time support for service members during the government shutdown, and the healing power of rucks and long-distance “yomps.” Retired 16th Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston, now CEO of Army Emergency Relief (AER), breaks down grants vs. no-interest loans and how AER surged to meet thousands of requests. Joy Craig from VFW’s National Legislative Service explains the “kitchen table” impact of missed pay and why the VFW is pushing Congress to guarantee military pay. Then Dr....
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Honor the Contract
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
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. The team reacts to a Washington Post article alleging widespread abuse of VA benefits and sets the record straight: veterans have earned their compensation through sacrifice, injury, and service to the nation. With passion and precision, they unpack how the “Honor the Contract” movement began, why this debate...
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Let Us Reason Together
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
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. Van Orden reflects on his path from military service to Congress, the importance of veterans’ voices in government, and his personal connection to the VFW dating back to his service in Bosnia. He shares how loss and hardship — including the passing of his daughter — shaped his sense of urgency in public service, and why...
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Rockstars!
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
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...
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An Unconventional Convention
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
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. The conversation dives into the emotional impact of the Afghanistan War Commission, where veterans courageously shared personal experiences, frustrations, and...
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Back to School
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
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...
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Closed Door Meeting
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
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. From Capitol Hill to Hanoi and the halls of the Pentagon, the VFW...
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It's All About Community
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
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...
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One For The Record Books
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
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. From addressing misinformation about VA policies to championing legislation like the Richard Star Act and SAVES Act, this episode focuses on ensuring veterans receive the benefits and protections they’ve earned—while also calling out the importance of accredited claims support and pre-discharge assistance. Featured Guests: Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office...
info_outlineFebruary 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.
Host Rob Couture speaks with George Pettigrew, Executive VP/Historian for the Alexander/Madison Chapter of the KC Buffalo Soldier, who shares not well-known stories of African-Americans in American history. George shares the robust and detailed research accomplishments of his mother, the stories of Medal of Honor recipients from some of our nation's earliest wars, and how the military has influenced social change in North America.
George Pettigrew, Executive VP/Historian for the Alexander/Madison Chapter of the KC Buffalo Soldier
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George is a Navy vet who was the first pilot on a hydrofoil gunboat. [4:16]
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As a Subject Matter Expert on the Buffalo Soldiers, George is continuing his mother’s legacy. [8:18]
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Looking back at the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and the unexpected actions that earned them Congressional Medals of Honor. [16:17]
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Black History month puts focus on people and events but more appropriately it should be considered American history. [23:12]
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Honoring Buffalo Soldiers and remembering the life and career of Colin Powell. [29:34]
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George shares the history of the first pre-colony of African-Americans on the North American continent. [41:16]
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The military has been the leader in social change in the U.S. and the need for all Americans to communicate with veterans and ask about their stories. [45:07]
For more information or continue the conversation, please visit:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Website
Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW
Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program
Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story