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 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.

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

Episode Highlights:

6:55 – Congressional Testimonies: VA Fiduciary Rules & Community Care Issues​ 14:00 – VFW Delegation’s Visit to U.S. Troops in Europe​

34:48 – Associate Director Nancy Springer’s Road to the VFW Washington Office 1:12:30 – VA Secretary Nominee Doug Collins’ Confirmation Hearing​

Join us for powerful discussions, firsthand insights, and a commitment to ensuring veterans receive the care and support they deserve. The VFW is always #StillServing.

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@VFWSTILLSERVING on YouTube

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program.

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online

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] Legislative Wins: Celebrating the passage of the Dole Act and its enhancements to veteran caregiver programs, along with the groundbreaking Not Just a Number Act, aimed at improving suicide prevention efforts through data-driven insights.
• [26:22] Success at SVA’s NatCon: The VFW’s presence at the Student Veterans of America convention led to over 200 new members joining the organization.
• [29:57] Action Corps Weekly: Joe Grassi discusses the powerful information included in the Action Corps Weekly newsletter.
• [55:45] The Power of Advocacy: Insights into the VFW’s role in championing vital legislation and fostering collaboration among veteran service organizations to improve veterans’ quality of life. Discussion of the upcoming VFW Washington Conference in March.

Join us for engaging stories, impactful conversations, and inspiring advocacy updates — because the VFW is always #StillServing.

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@VFWSTILLSERVING on YouTube

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program.

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online

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 Service
• Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Communications & Public Affairs

Episode Highlights:

•   [3:42] Celebrating a milestone year: $14.6 billion in benefits were secured for veterans in the last fiscal year, surpassing the previous record of $13 billion.
•        [12:30] An in-depth look at the VFW’s participation in Pearl Harbor Day commemorations.
•        [15:40] Opening of a new Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) office at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, providing vital resources for transitioning service members.
•        [21:51] Patrick Murray's passionate response to The Economist article, "American Veterans Are Now Receiving Absurdly Generous Benefits," defending the importance of veterans' programs and setting the record straight.
•       [40:54] Highlights of the annual Army-Navy football game, its cherished traditions, and the camaraderie it fosters.

Join us for thoughtful conversations, powerful stories, and a touch of humor—because we’re always #StillServing.

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@VFWSTILLSERVING on YouTube

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

VFW Unmet Needs Program

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program.

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online

#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 – Director, VFW National Legislative Service
• Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Communications & Public Affairs

Episode Highlights:

• [2:44] Thanksgiving reflections: What it’s like to spend the holidays while deployed.
• [15:00] Understanding the Senator Elizabeth Dole Act and its impact on VA healthcare.
• [40:35] Presidents of the U.S: Transitioning between administrations, a discussion of new cabinet picks and the process.
• [56:47] Army-Navy game uniforms and debating the coolest thing the Army has ever done.

Join us for thoughtful discussions, heartfelt stories, and a touch of humor—because we’re always #StillServing.

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@VFWSTILLSERVING on YouTube

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

VFW Unmet Needs Program

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program.

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online

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 honor brought them all together.

David Bellavia, Medal of Honor Recipient — Operation Iraqi Freedom:

• [4:35] Remember the Ramrods: An Army Brotherhood in War and Peace is David’s second book and the second part of his House to House story.

• [12:01] In his book, David reflects on the feelings he compartmentalized after returning from his tour of service.

• [16:43] David shares his thoughts on service members running for political office and the importance of continuing to serve the country.

• [21:56] Medal of Honor winners are often applauded, but as a tribe, Gold Star and Purple Heart recipients deserve the highest level of respect from all.

• [40:11] David’s advice for those thinking about writing a book.

• [44:03] David’s thoughts on brotherhood when thinking about veterans for Veterans Day.

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@VFWSTILLSERVING on YouTube

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

VFW Unmet Needs Program

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program.

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online

Remember the Ramrods: An Army Brotherhood in War and Peace, by David Bellavia

Duty 1st

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 don’t deserve Medal of Honor recognition is an outdated way of thinking. [4:27]

• Earl shares how he entered military service, starting with the National Guard, while he was in high school and then into the Marine Corps. [6:25]

• Just after 9/11, Earl’s troop was moved to Okinawa, Japan before he became a recon marine in 2004. [10:24]

• Getting his wish, Earl went to Iraq to take his place as a warrior of the nation only to be sobered by the casualties of war. [16:00]

• In August 2013, Earl was a weapons sergeant in Ghazni; when the base came under fire, he took action. He shares the harrowing story. [21:56]

• In the aftermath of the battle, Earl was injured with back injuries and an arm wound. [53:20]

• Earl missed the first call from the President about his receiving the Medal of Honor. So, he called the President back at the White House. [57:53]

• Every year since 2003, Earl has seen a friend buried. [1:05:40]

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

VFW Unmet Needs Program

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program.

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online

VA Home Loans

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, and different military service experiences, but are both Americans to the core. First, he speaks with VFW’s QuarterMaster General Mark Garduno. He talks about his military service and what it means to be the financial steward of one of the largest and most established veterans service organizations in the nation. Then, he speaks with Retired Army Master Sergeant Felix Figuroa. He reflects on his background, military service, and the invasion of Afghanistan on the anniversary of the war.

Marc Garduno, VFW Quartermaster General

• As Quartermaster General, Marc and his team are responsible for all VFW finances and the management of VFW facilities. [2:06]

• After high school, Marc followed in his father’s footsteps joining the Army in the 82nd Airborne until retiring in 2008. [5:44]

• Wanting to continue serving, Marc got a degree in nonprofit management and put his name in the ring to be assistant to the Quartermaster General. [17:24]

• Marc describes the roles and responsibilities of the Quartermaster General. [21:47]

• Marc describes the importance of the official brand and the use of the store. [26:11]

• Marc embraces his Mexican heritage but considers himself an American first. [33:20]

Felix Figueroa, Retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and Afghan War Veteran

• Felix describes being proud of his Puerto Rican heritage growing up in Michigan and his decision to enlist in 1997. [44:47]

• Remembering September 11, 2001, Felix describes serving his country on U.S. soil until his deployment to Afghanistan. [50:02]

• Felix continues his story about the shock of serving in Operation Enduring Freedom as a Broadcast Journalist. [1:10:38]

• Felix and his team left Afghanistan in February between Operation Tempo and Operation Anaconda. [1:29:39]

• Felix offers a word to fellow Afghan War veterans. [1:36:30]

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

VFW Unmet Needs Program

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program.

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

National Veterans Services — Claims Help

A little more than a month has passed since the landmark legislation of the PACT Act was signed into law by President Biden at the White House. It was a much-celebrated win for many of the VSOs and for veteran advocates who worked hard for so long to get a bill passed in Congress to finally award veterans the benefits and care they need after suffering for so long with the effects of toxic exposure during their military service.

Recently, Host Rob Couture had the unique opportunity to host and moderate a discussion on the PACT Act with Director of National Legislative Service, Pat Murray, Assistant Director of National Legislative Service Kristina Keenan, and veteran advocate and comedian Jon Stewart.

Jon Stewart, veteran advocate, comedian, and host of Apple TV's The Problem with Jon Stewart, Pat Murray, Director of National Legislative Service, and Kristina Keenan, Assistant Director, National Legislative Service

• Jon shares his thoughts on 9/11 and the brave men and women who continue to be affected by the event. [2:31]

• Jon answers Rob’s questions about the unity and focus of Americans since 9/11. [5:40]

• Kristina was surprised at the time it took to tackle toxic exposure issues for veterans from Vietnam to today. [7:24]

• Along with an inspiring grassroots effort by veterans, Pat was instrumental in solidifying multiple pieces of toxic exposure legislation into the PACT Act. [10:12]

• Jon, Kristina, and Pat describe how the advocates circumvented the processes in place designed to delay or deny what veterans needed. [28:15]

• Kristina and Pat share the emotional release felt when the legislation finally became law. [38:15]

• What the VFW can do to ensure the bill is implemented swiftly and correctly. [45:29]

• Kristina shares her final thoughts on toxic exposure legislation. [47:53]

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

VFW Unmet Needs Program

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

National Veterans Services — Claims Help

The 123rd VFW National Convention just concluded at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City Missouri. It was the first time the convention has been back in full swing since 2019. One of the new things was an exhibit sound stage in the exhibit hall where #StillServing Podcast Host Rob Couture had the pleasure of interviewing sponsors, exhibitors, comrades, and special guests.

Ryan Gallucci, Director of the VFW’s National Veteran Service

• Ryan describes all of the available services at the convention including the Claims Clinic and Health Fair provided by the NVS. [2:29]

• How the NVS and VFW help veterans understand the full breadth of benefits available to them. [5:33]

• The delegates function as the governing body but each VFW member has a voice in how decisions are made. [7:55]

Joe Bailey, President of Bridgestone’s BRAVO Employee Research Group

• Joe shares his military background and his civilian career history. [11:21]

• The BRAVO initiative supports veterans with career-based transition services and more. [12:19]

• Firestone Direct is a new program that offers on-site mobile services directly from mobile specialists. [15:48]

Clayton Smith, Senior Director for Sales at Twisted X

• Clayton spoke at the convention in place of Twisted X’s President, Prasad Reddy. [20:50]

• In 2005, Twisted X morphed from cowboy gear to lifestyle and casual styles. [23:17]

• To be more sustainable, Twisted X developed a fabric made from discarded plastic water bottles. [24:54]

• Twisted X is a proud sponsor of the voice of democracy scholarship program and the Tough Enough to Wear Pink program. [28:43]

Honorable Denis McDonough, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs

• During the convention, Denis discussed the partnership VA has with the VFW organization. [31:35]

• Denis shares what VFW can expect for the next year regarding the PACT act. [33:47]

Kelly McKeague, Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)

• Kelly vehemently thanks the VFW for the time and effort they put forth finding, identifying, and recovering POW/MIA military members. [37:28]

• Raising the nation’s consciousness about National POW/MIA Recognition Day. [40:47]

• Kelly describes the various methods that connect families to the remains of their beloved service members. [43:01]

• Johnny Webb was awarded a gold medal for his well-established dedication to the DPAA. [44:36]

Aaron McCoy, Regional Veteran Executive for Humana

• Aaron is a life member of the VFW Post #3345 and served in the Army and National Guard. [48:36]

• Humana donated $25,000 to the VFW’s Unmet Needs Program and helps educate veterans about their medical benefits. [49:52]

• At the convention, Humana sponsors two booths to show their gratitude to the VFW organization. [53:16]

• Humana also partners with the service officers of the NVS to enhance their veterans’ service offerings. [55:40]

• To address food insecurity, Humana joins forces with the VFW for the Uniting to Combat Hunger campaign [57:15]

Chris Ward, Public Affairs Manager for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)

• Chris describes the changes and new benefits available to veterans as part of the AAFES. [1:00:06]

• The AAFES currently has a robust hiring program for veterans and military spouses. [1:02:56]

Teddy Robb, country music recording artist

• Teddy describes his experience at the VFW National Convention [1:07:13]

• Leaving football behind in Akron, Ohio, Teddy got his recording career started in Nashville, Tennessee. [1:10:15]

• In his song, “Heaven on Dirt,” Teddy reached out to the VFW to promote the Unmet Needs program. [1:14:12]

For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

@RobCoutureVFW on Facebook

VFW Unmet Needs Program

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program

Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story

National Veterans Services — Claims Help

Firestone Direct

Apply My Exchange Website

Find out more about the VFW National Convention