Reporting for Duty … Remotely
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In this episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast, host Rob Couture welcomes back co-host Brittany Dymond Murray in a new virtual capacity and is joined by VFW Washington Office staff to discuss a range of critical veteran issues. The team recaps a meaningful Memorial Day weekend, including wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They honor the legacy of past VFW National Commanders interred at Arlington and reflect on the significance of National Commander Al Lipphardt’s personal connection to the Vietnam War. The episode dives into the...
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Director's Cut
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In this episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast, host Rob Couture catches up with his fellow directors of the VFW Washington Office after an almost two-month-long hiatus. Featured Guests: • Ryan Gallucci – Assistant Adjutant General & Executive Director, VFW Washington Office • Mike Figlioli – Director, VFW National Veterans Service • Kristina Keenan – Director, VFW National Legislative Service Episode Highlights: Ryan shares his recent health issues and his travels overseas while accompanying VFW senior leadership visiting troops and international partners....
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A Sit-Down with the Chief
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In this episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast, host Rob Couture and co-host Brittany Dymond Murray speak with VFW Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt and Chief of Staff Jeff Carroll about the organization's ongoing efforts to support veterans. Lipphardt shares his military background, how he joined the VFW, and his leadership philosophy which is centered on integrity, responsibility, and military values. The discussion highlights the VFW’s advocacy work, including their upcoming Washington Conference, where Lipphardt will testify before Congress on key veteran issues such as healthcare, VA...
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This Concludes My Testimony
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In this latest episode of #StillServing, host Rob Couture explores the VFW’s advocacy efforts, highlighting key issues affecting veterans and service members. From Congressional testimonies to veterans' healthcare access overseas, this episode sheds light on how the VFW continues to fight for those who served. Featured Guests: • Nancy Springer – Associate Director, National Legislative Service • Ryan Gallucci – Assistant Adjutant General & Executive Director, VFW Washington Office • Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Communications & Public Affairs ...
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Getting the Inside Scoop
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In this latest episode of #StillServing, host Rob Couture dives into critical discussions about the VFW's advocacy efforts and achievements, joined by an insightful panel of guests. From legislative wins to empowering student veterans, this episode highlights how the VFW continues to make an impact for veterans nationwide. Featured Guests: Kristina Keenan – Deputy Director, National Legislative Service Joe Grassi – Associate Director, National Legislative Service Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Communications & Public Affairs Episode Highlights: [10:38]...
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We’ve Been Here Before
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In the second episode following the podcast’s return, this hour is packed with compelling topics from an engaging panel of guests. In this holiday-themed episode, our host Rob Couture and guests explore the VFW’s record-setting achievements in securing benefits for veterans, reflect on Pearl Harbor Day events, deliver a sharp critique of a controversial article on veterans’ benefits, and wrap up with a spirited discussion about the upcoming Army-Navy game. Featured Guests: Mike Figlioli – Director, VFW National Veterans Service Patrick Murray – Director, VFW National Legislative...
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For the Good of the Order
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast returns by popular demand! With a fresh studio setup and a revamped format, it’s still packed with the engaging conversations you know and love. In this special pre-Thanksgiving episode, host Rob Couture welcomes key voices from the VFW Washington Office to reflect on Thanksgiving traditions while deployed overseas, unpack the significance of the Elizabeth Dole Act, explore presidential transitions, and dive into fun topics like the Army-Navy game uniforms and more. Featured Guests: Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office Patrick Murray –...
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Remember the Ramrods: A Discussion with David Bellavia
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Welcome to the new season of the VFW podcast. The new season will spotlight the recent changes within the veteran community from new initiatives to books being released to new laws that have been passed and updates to benefits. Host Rob Couture is pleased to welcome back David Bellavia to the podcast. David is a Medal of Honor recipient from the Iraq War. Since the last time he was on the show he released his new book, Remember the Ramrods: An Army Brotherhood in War and Peace. In this book, he talks about his brothers-in-arms. The ones he served with over in Iraq, and how the medal of...
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Medal of Honor Recipient Earl Plumlee
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Happy Veterans Day. As veterans, we all have our war stories, but none are greater than the ones that come from our Medal of Honor recipients. For this Veterans Day, we have a very special interview. Rob had the privilege of recording earlier this year with Medal of Honor recipient Army Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee, a Special Forces Operations Team sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan in August of 2013. Earl Plumlee, Army Master Sergeant, Medal of Honor Recipient The idea that Special Forces are elite teams who...
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Hispanic Heritage Month
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
The observance of National Hispanic Heritage month goes on every year from September 15th to October 15th to honor the lives of American citizens with Hispanic heritage. That goes the same for the VFW as we are just a melting pot, a reflection of the greater society of our great nation. Although we are all different strands, America is much stronger when we are braided together, and nothing does that more than military service. Through the camaraderie, we are unidos, or joined together. Rob’s guests on today’s episode are two gentlemen who have very different Hispanic backgrounds,...
info_outlineIn this episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast, host Rob Couture and co-host Brittany Dymond Murray speak with VFW Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt and Chief of Staff Jeff Carroll about the organization's ongoing efforts to support veterans. Lipphardt shares his military background, how he joined the VFW, and his leadership philosophy which is centered on integrity, responsibility, and military values. The discussion highlights the VFW’s advocacy work, including their upcoming Washington Conference, where Lipphardt will testify before Congress on key veteran issues such as healthcare, VA funding, and disaster response efforts. He emphasizes the importance of VFW members actively engaging in leadership and advocacy, ensuring veterans’ voices are heard at all levels of government.