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Release Date: 09/12/2025

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Congress may have postponed action on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, but the fight to protect future veterans is far from over. Rob and Brittany are joined by Kristina Keenan and Ryan Gallucci to recap a historic week of VFW advocacy, explain how nearly 100 VFW members helped educate lawmakers on Capitol Hill and discuss why the organization remains firmly opposed to funding expanded veterans legislation by reducing future disability compensation. The conversation examines the outcome of the House vote, the growing momentum behind the VFW's grassroots advocacy campaign and...

The Looniest of Times

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Congress may have delayed action on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, but the conversation surrounding the legislation is far from over. Rob and Brittany are joined by Kristina Keenan, Mike Figlioli and Gabby Kubinyi to break down the latest developments, explain why the VFW remains opposed to paying for expanded veterans legislation by reducing future disability compensation, and discuss what advocates are hearing during meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The discussion examines how the proposed changes could affect future veterans seeking disability compensation for...

We Don't Pull Up Ladders

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

We examine the Take Care of American Veterans Act and what it could mean for veterans' disability benefits. The panel breaks down the legislation, which combines more than 60 veteran-focused bills—including a version of the Major Richard Star Act—with funding provisions that would reduce future disability compensation for sleep apnea and tinnitus. They explain why the VFW strongly opposes any effort to pay for veterans’ legislation by cutting earned benefits and why the organization views the proposal as a dangerous precedent for future generations of veterans. The conversation explores...

The Mission Came First

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Editor’s Note: We experienced some technical audio issues during the recording of this episode. While every effort was made to improve the sound quality, listeners may notice occasional audio fluctuations throughout the conversation. Thank you for your understanding. Rob and Brittany welcome Congressman Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania’s 17th District to the podcast. Deluzio is a Navy veteran, VFW member, and member of the House Armed Services Committee who continues to advocate for service members, veterans, and military families on Capitol Hill. Before the interview, VFW National...

Fight the Good Fight

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Rob Couture welcomes back Kristina Keenan, Director of VFW National Legislative Service, alongside Ryan Gallucci, Executive Director of the VFW Washington Office, for a wide-ranging conversation on the latest veterans’ legislation and advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. The episode covers recent House Veterans Affairs Committee hearings on VA restructuring, toxic exposure oversight, expanded dental care, and transition support programs. The team also breaks down major updates surrounding the Major Richard Star Act, including growing bipartisan momentum and ongoing negotiations in Congress....

Over There! Recapping the Far East Outreach Mission

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray are joined by VFW Washington Office leaders Ryan Gallucci, Mike Figlioli, and Joy Craig for a discussion on overseas military support, Memorial Day remembrance, and key legislative priorities impacting veterans. Joy Craig reflects on her recent overseas visit alongside VFW Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore through Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, where they met with VFW Posts, military leadership, service members, and families. The team discusses challenges facing troops and veterans stationed abroad, including healthcare access, spouse employment,...

Is the VA Math Mathing?

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

In this episode, we’re coming to you on-location from Annapolis, Maryland, during the VFW National Veterans Service (NVS) Proficiency Training Conference alongside Ryan Gallucci, Mike Figlioli, Chris Macinkowicz and special guest VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler. Together, they pull back the curtain on how the VFW trains and equips its accredited service officers to better serve veterans navigating the VA claims process. The team explores the intensive training that ensures VFW representatives stay current on evolving laws, court cases, and VA policies, highlighting...

Never Leave a Fallen Comrade

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Host Rob Couture records this special overseas episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast from Southeast Asia, joined by VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler. Together, they take listeners inside the VFW’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) fact-finding mission — a powerful, on-the-ground look at the ongoing effort to bring America’s missing service members home. Geisler reflects on his first experience in the region, sharing insights from visits across Hawaii, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. From the cutting-edge forensic work at the Daniel K. Inouye Center for...

Shark of Record

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Join us for a discussion on legislative priorities, legal battles, and ongoing efforts to protect veterans’ benefits. In this episode, Rob and Brittany are joined by Ryan Gallucci, VFW General Counsel John Muckelbauer, and National Legislative Committee Chairman Jason Johns as the conversation dives deep into the impact of the VFW Washington Conference and the power of grassroots advocacy. The group reflects on the energy and outcomes of the conference, including direct engagement with lawmakers and efforts to push forward key legislation like the Major Richard Star Act. They also break...

Hail to the Chief

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

On the heels of an electrifying VFW Washington Conference, Host Rob Couture welcomes VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore, Ryan Gallucci, Kristina Keenan, and Mike Figlioli to reflect on a landmark week of advocacy, powerful testimony on Capitol Hill and the sobering reality that American service members remain in harm’s way amid escalating conflict involving Iran. Whitmore discusses delivering her testimony as VFW National Commander before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, calling on Congress to fully and faithfully “Honor the Contract" with...

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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 deep connection to the Auxiliary, her father’s legacy of service, and her passion for expanding educational opportunities through the Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship. Both leaders also highlight joint initiatives, including vital support for the VFW National Home.

From legislative battles on Capitol Hill like the Richard Star Act and TAP Promotion Act to grassroots training and community impact, this episode captures the unity and determination driving the VFW and Auxiliary forward — proving once again that veterans and families together are still leading, still advancing and still serving.

Carol Whitmore's bio: https://www.vfw.org/settings/content/nationalofficers/carol-whitmore

Featured Guests:

- Carol Whitmore – Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars

- Lois Callahan – National President, VFW Auxiliary

- Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office

- Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Intro and Roll Call

3:40 Meet the Leaders – Carol Whitmore and Lois Callahan share their backgrounds

6:53 Auxiliary story – Lois Callahan’s path to leadership

11:58 Carol Whitmore reflects on becoming first female Commander-in-Chief

17:10 Legislative priorities and honoring the contract