VFW Advocacy

1. 'Why Did Justice Take So Long?'

   VFW leaders stood in solidarity with Camp Lejeune veterans and their families during a two-day Capitol Hill rally in June, calling for congressional action on H.R. 4145,the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025.

   VFW General Counsel John Muckelbauer was among the veterans who shared their stories, speaking on behalf of his brother, Matt, a fellow Marine who died from a rare case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma linked to exposure to toxic water while stationed at Camp Lejeune.

   "Like so many families here today," Muckelbauer said, "we were left wondering if his service contributed to his illness. Could this have been prevented? And why did justice take so long?"

   Muckelbauer's testimony highlighted the human toll of decades of contamination and the VFW's urgent call for justice. He was joined by VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci and National Legislative Committee Chairman Jason Johns, who shared their insights and experiences to further amplify the voices of Camp Lejeune veterans and their families.

   The passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act in 2022 included a provision known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). The CLJA allows veterans, family members and contractors suffering
   from the effects of toxic exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to file lawsuits for compensation.

   Eligible veterans and civilians were those who served at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.

   There are currently more than 400,000 pending claims with the Department of the Navy. Despite the overwhelming number, not a single case has gone to trial while the Department of Justice litigates against victims.

   To correct the record and ensure victims have access to appropriate justice, the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025 would make technical corrections to the law and give swifter relief to victims by:

   • Clearly providing for jury trials, not just bench trials.
   • Expressly stating that victims must show general causation.
   • Permitting cases to be heard in any federal court in North Carolina or South Carolina.
   • Capping attorney fees at 20 percent for settlements and 25 percent for trials.

   This article is featured in the 2026 September/October issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr., associate editor for VFW magazine.

2. 2026-2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship Applications Now Open

   WASHINGTON -The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) are now accepting applications from student veterans interested in participating in the upcoming 2026-2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program. Since 2014, the fellowship has brought select student veterans, who must be VFW members or membership eligible, to Washington, D.C., to meet face to face with their senators, representatives and staff members.

   Student veterans interested in applying must complete an application package that includes a 3-5 page essay and a 30-60 second video outlining program interest. Applicants must also submit a resume, proof of current enrollment at an accredited college or university and proof of military service. Candidates will participate in a virtual or phone interview with the selection committee.

   "When I say, 'One team, one mission, veterans first,' this is what I'm talking about," said VFW National Commander Cory Geisler. "The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program is a prime example of VFW members stepping forward to rally around a common goal and lead not only on Capitol Hill but also on their campuses and in their communities as they seek to improve the lives of current and future student veterans."

   Past fellows have earned academic credit for their experience, found internships, accepted additional academic opportunities and landed full-time employment because of their fellowship experience. Several fellows have even had their research incorporated into laws, which has a lasting impact on veterans, service members and their families.

   VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship opportunities are open to all enrolled student veterans who are VFW members or eligible for membership. VFW eligibility criteria can be found here. The program is open to all majors, and some students may be eligible for college credit.

   "The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship gives student veterans the opportunity to turn their lived experiences into meaningful action," said SVA President and Chief Executive Officer Cory Boatwright. "Through mentorship, advocacy training, community engagement, and direct interaction with policymakers, fellows learn how to transform the challenges facing their communities into meaningful, bipartisan policy solutions. Together with the VFW, we're developing the next generation of student veteran advocates, strengthening the voice of the veteran community, and ensuring those who have served have a seat at the table where decisions about their futures are made."

   The 2026-2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program is scheduled from October 2026 to May 2027. Chosen fellows will work with VFW and SVA staff on a shared policy priority and participate in the 19th Annual SVA National Conference in Grapevine, Texas, Jan. 4 - 6, 2027. Fellows will also travel to Washington, D.C., for the VFW Washington Conference, Feb. 27 - March 4, 2027, where they will join more than 500 VFW advocates to bring veterans' priorities directly to Capitol Hill.

   Travel expenses will be covered for both trips including airfare, hotel accommodations, on-site transportation to/from meetings and a per diem allowance.

   All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sept. 15, 2026. For full details about the VFW-SVA fellowship and to apply, visit VFW.org/StudentFellowship or contact Gabby Kubinyi, VFW, at gkubinyi@vfw.org or Faisal Sulman, SVA, at faisal.sulman@studentveterans.org.

   The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is another example of the strong collaboration between the VFW and SVA that resulted from a memorandum of understanding signed by the two organizations at the SVA National Conference in January 2013.

3. 'This Fellowship Changed My Life'

   For the last eight-and-a-half months, Giancarlo Gonzalez, along with his other VFW-SVA Fellows, has been honing his advocating skills in preparation for a life-changing event.

   The 2026 VFW Washington Conference offered the fellows an opportunity to meet with each of their state representatives face-to-face.

   Impassioned with a desire to support veterans, the Fellows were ready to conclude their nine-month journey advocating in any way they could.

   For Gonzalez, this would be his first time working directly with lawmakers.

   Although he initially wasn't sure what to expect while on Capitol Hill, he soon found it to be familiar.

   "In the Army, you learn to communicate quickly, stay focused on the mission and operate within a structured chain of command," Gonzalez said. "Sitting down with congressional members felt similar, just in a different environment."

   Gonzalez focused primarily on advocating for improving the Post-9/11 GI Bill during his time with the fellowship. He described his conversations with lawmakers about this particular bill as "meaningful" because he himself could benefit directly from it as a student veteran.

   From 2007-2012, Gonzalez served with the Army's 325th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

   "My experience in the Army shaped how I approach everything I do today," Gonzalez said. "The mindset of taking care of your people and staying mission-focused carries over directly into my work now, whether it's in business, advocacy or helping fellow veterans find stable housing."

   Today, Gonzalez focuses on the Housing and Urban Development Veterans Aff airs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, where he made it his personal goal to see as many veterans housed as possible.

   "Helping homeless veterans find housing is something I take personally," Gonzalez said. "It's not just about placing someone in a unit. It's about helping them regain stability and rebuild their lives."

   In pursuit of his goal, Gonzalez is currently finishing a degree in building design and construction management at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida. He also holds a degree in business
   management and currently works in real estate.

   A member of VFW Post 2550 in Dunedin, Florida, Gonzalez plans to continue his advocacy for veterans, focusing particularly on education-related policy and transition support.

   "I've come to respect the role [VFW] plays in both supporting and advocating for veterans," Gonzalez said. "Being a part of this fellowship has strengthened that connection."

   'OUR MEETINGS WERE EYE-OPENING'
   For another VFW-SVA fellow, the 2026 Washington Conference would be her first time experiencing face-to-face advocacy with lawmakers.

   Navy veteran Kimmie Kim envisions a world in which leadership at the highest levels can create a more welcoming environment so that the health and happiness of workers are a top priority.

   Currently, she is pursuing a graduate degree in industrial-organizational psychology at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California.

   While on Capitol Hill, Kim realized just how important consistency is to advocacy.

   "Our meetings with lawmakers were very eye-opening," Kim said. "[The VFW Washington Conference] helped me better understand how federal advocacy works and how important it is to stay involved over time."

   To continue supporting veterans, Kim is ready to commit long-term to the process.

   "Change may not happen right away, but showing up, talking and making connections are all important parts of the process," Kim said. "I will continue to fight for veterans by getting involved in my community, taking on leadership roles and staying involved in conversations that shape policy."

   Kim served in the Navy from 2007-2012 and was on board the USS Green Bay (LPD-20) from 2010-2011. She is a life member of VFW Post 3173 in Anaheim, California.

   "The VFW-SVA Fellowship changed my life as a leader," Kim said. "It has helped me become more powerful and has reminded me of the values that made me want to help my community, fellow citizens and veterans after I left the Navy."

   'IT WAS PHENOMENAL'
   The 2026 Washington Conference would mark Marine veteran and VFW-SVA fellow Shadic Anderson's third time advocating on Capitol Hill but the first time with VFW.

   A journalism major, Anderson's longterm plan includes going to law school, which he hopes will catapult him into a career in politics. After the Maj. Richard Star Act was ultimately blocked by Congress on March 3, Anderson's desire to get involved with veterans' policy grew significantly.

   "I'm super passionate about advocating for our veterans," Anderson said. "I'm a firm believer in 'service after service.'"

   Although currently at tending California State University, Long Beach, in Long Beach, California, Anderson is originally from New Jersey and hopes to return home one day to get involved in local politics. But his main goal is to pursue a role in federal politics.

   "I want to take care of [veterans] as a whole," Anderson said when asked about his passion for politics at the federal level.

   From 2012-2020, Anderson served in three Marine units. These included Bravo Co., 1st Bn., 6th Marines; Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 9th Marines; and Lima Co., 3rd Bn., 1st Marines. Anderson earned his VFW eligibility when he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2014.

   While on Capitol Hill, Anderson met with Rep. Dave Min (D-Calif.), Rep. Derek Tran (D-Calif.) and Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (D-N.Y.). It was in meetings like these that Anderson, along with the other Fellows, had an opportunity to showcase all their hard work over the course of the fellowship.

   "It was phenomenal," Anderson said. "The networking impacted me the most. You never know who you may run into or who you may speak with."

   Anderson is currently the junior vice commander of District 4 for VFW's Department of California. He also serves as senior vice commander of Post 7243 in Hawaiian Gardens, California.

   'THERE WAS A CLEAR FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST'
   VFW-SVA Fellow and Post 10018 Commander Juanita Garcia made it her mission to assist degree-seeking veterans in navigating educational benefits.

   A graduate student at Northeastern University in Boston, Garcia is currently pursuing a doctorate in education.

   "My goal is to continue bridging the gap between policy and practice," Garcia said. "In my current role in higher education, I see first-hand how policies play out for student veterans, and I want to continue using that perspective to inform advocacy efforts."

   Being able to work alongside other student veterans during the Washington Conference, Garcia felt the experience closer to heart.

   "Seeing familiar faces and friends made the experience more personal, because the legislation we're advocating for directly impacts them," Garcia said. "It's not abstract. It represents something real for my students and the veteran community I serve."

   Although Garcia previously advocated directly with lawmakers on Capitol Hill alongside the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), this was her first time advocating alongside the VFW Department of Washington delegation.

   "There was a clear focus on what matters most to veterans back home, and you could see the level of preparation and commitment that went into those conversations," Garcia said. "This year felt different in a meaningful way."

   Garcia served in the Army from 2003 until 2011. She earned her VFW eligibility serving with the 51st Expeditionary Signal Battalion at a forward operating base near Tal Afar Air Base in Iraq and the 29th Signal Battalion at the Logistics Support Area near Balad, Iraq.

   "VFW has been a key part of my continued service," Garcia said. "I joined because I was looking for a community of like-minded individuals. I value being around veterans who have stories to share and experiences that shape how we continue to serve."

   Since 2022, Garcia has served VFW at both the Post and District level. She is the adjutant for District 3 in the Department of Washington and serves as the commander and junior vice commander for Post 10018 in Tacoma, Washington.

   For more than a decade, the VFW-SVA Fellowship has developed student veterans into what VFW believes are active, policy-aware advocates who are willing to continue serving their communities and other veterans. Their influence has and will continue to shape veteran legislation for decades to come.

   This article is featured in the 2026 July/August issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Danny Cook, senior writer for VFW magazine.

4. VFW Mourns the Loss of Past Commander-in-Chief R.D. 'Bulldog' Smith Jr.

   KANSAS CITY, Mo. -The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is saddened by the passing of its oldest living past Commander-in-Chief, R.D. "Bulldog" Smith Jr., whose tenacity and continued advocacy for service members, veterans and their families helped solidify the organization's now renowned grassroots legislative efforts.

   Smith was elected as VFW commander-in-chief at the 77th national convention in New York City on Aug. 20, 1976, and dedicated his life to ensuring veterans had strong support in Washington.

   At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, earning his VFW eligibility by serving in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. He was assigned to the 356th Air Engineers Service Group, a unit that maintained B-29 heavy bombers in the 20th Air Force.

   Smith joined the VFW in 1947, at Post 4346 in Toccoa, Georgia, where he maintained his Bronze Legacy Life membership. Following a move to Washington, D.C., where he worked on the staff of the House Un-American Activities Committee, Smith returned to Georgia and resumed his VFW activities. He served as VFW Department of Georgia commander, going on to serve as a member of the National Council of Administration, Southern Conference chairman and as a member of several national committees.

   Smith's greatest legacy rests on his diligent advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. During his term as national commander, he worked to preserve the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs at a pivotal moment in history. The VFW had labored for years for the creation of a dedicated committee to ensure the voice and needs of veterans would be heard, and when threatened with its elimination, Smith's leadership ensured VFW leadership from each state was present on Capitol Hill to lobby their senators directly, a first in the organization's history. The VFW's efforts successfully doubled the number of senators supporting the committee, and it is that same legislative advocacy and dedication that fuels the VFW's National Legislative Service today. Smith retired from the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service where he served as the assistant director from the State of Georgia.

   Chief Smith understood that caring for veterans meant more than honoring their service and dedicated his life to the legislative influence the VFW is known for today, ensuring generations of veterans have had a powerful advocate in Washington. His service, vision and unwavering commitment to veterans have left an indelible mark on the organization for generations to come.

   Read his obituary here.

5. VFW Action Alert: Keep Pressuring Congress to Protect Veterans' Earned Disability Compensation

   Over the past month, veterans and supporters across the country have sent a clear message: expand veterans' benefits without reducing future veterans' earned disability compensation. Through emails, phone calls, trips to Washington, D.C., and meetings with lawmakers, you've made sure veterans' voices are being heard.

   Although the House pulled its planned vote on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (H.R.9237 / S.4744), the bill remains active. Now is not the time to let up. Congress should not correct one injustice by creating a new one for future veterans. As lawmakers determine the path forward, they need to continue to hear that their constituents reject this approach.

   The VFW supports correcting past injustices through measures like the Major Richard Star Act, expanding survivor benefits, strengthening mental health protections, and other legislation that honors the sacrifices made by those who served.

   Section 108 would create a new injustice. It would take the unprecedented step of reducing future veterans' earned disability compensation to pay for today's benefit expansions. Congress can and should find a better way.

   TAKE ACTION

   Tell your representative and both senators to oppose Section 108 of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. Urge them to reject this unprecedented pay-for and protect veterans' earned disability compensation.

   Thank you for continuing to make your voice heard. Let's keep the pressure on.