The following is a message from VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt:
Last week I voiced the VFW’s concerns about the indiscriminate firings of veterans across our federal government. We heard from our members across the country about the effects this was having on their livelihoods and the care veterans seek at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
I urged the use of a scalpel instead of a chain saw when seeking the right size of the VA. We feel this way because the men and women who served our country deserve that consideration when making decisions that are this serious.
Earlier this week, VA announced its plans to reduce the VA workforce by an additional 83,000 employees. The VFW sees no scenario where that would not affect veterans care and benefits. Once again, it is concerning that the announced cuts would be harmful to veterans.
Thankfully, yesterday at a press conference, President Trump made it clear he was directing the Cabinet secretaries to take the lead on right sizing their respective departments instead of DOGE.
President Trump stated, “I don’t want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut.” Later in a social media post the president wrote, “We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet.’” The VFW agrees with that sentiment, and we are glad to hear the administration has heard the concerns of groups like the VFW.
We now call upon VA to reconsider its planned reduction of 83,000 employees and thoroughly review any proposed cuts prior to rolling out further announcements like this.
Again, a scalpel is the preferred tool when making these precise cuts, especially when, at this very moment, veteran employees are indeed fit to have jobs still serving their fellow veterans and the country.
The VFW supports the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in our government. I told Secretary Collins earlier this week that we agree that there are areas at VA where we can tighten the belt.
And the VFW will work with Secretary Collins and other veteran groups to help identify processes that need to be more efficient, so veterans remain the focus at VA. We call on all veterans who have not yet engaged on this issue to follow us in making your voice heard. If veterans won’t stand up for one another, then who will?
Our leaders in Washington, D.C., must “Honor the Contract” we all signed when we joined the military. Making sure veterans care and benefits remain fully funded and appropriately staffed to carry out this critical mission is incredibly important. We fulfilled our part of the contract we signed, and we expect our elected and appointed leaders to do the same.
I’m excited to share with all Vietnam veterans that “The Wall That Heals,” a traveling tribute, will be on display from June 5th to 8th at the La Salle Institute, located at 174 Williams Road, Troy, NY. The event is free and open to the public, closing at 2 PM on June 8th.
This past Saturday, I attended a meeting with the NY Department of the VFW, where we discussed an upcoming meeting with State Legislators scheduled for Wednesday, March 12.
As a former District Commander, I was part of the VFW Legislative team, and I will be meeting with the State committee at the Marriott Hotel in Albany. A bus full of VFW members will be traveling to the meeting to engage with the legislators, and I will provide updates on the outcomes. I hope a strong turnout will demonstrate our commitment to veterans’ rights.
Additionally, as I mentioned in a previous article, our post has received a bingo license, and we are currently working with the town to finalize the necessary requirements.
This process may take a week or two, after which we will announce the start date for bingo at the post. Many community members have shown interest, and we believe this will be an enjoyable activity for everyone.
On a personal note, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the members of VFW Post 1545 for the privilege of serving as your commander over the past few years.
I will always consider you my heroes, friends, and comrades. Your dedication has shaped this post into what it is today, and I am proud to have played a small role in its success.
This weeks MIA/POW report: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Army Pvt. James G. Loterbaugh, 35, of Roseville, Ohio, killed during World War II, was accounted for Sept. 20, 2024.
In December 1944, Loterbaugh was assigned to Company C, 774th Tank Battalion, as a crewmember on an M4 “Sherman” tank. On Dec. 11, his platoon became separated from the rest of the company during a battle with German forces near Strass, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest. The enemy surrounded Strass and by mid-day the entire platoon, including Loterbaugh’s tank, was reported Missing in Action. The Germans never reported Loterbaugh as a prisoner of war and Army personnel who searched the battlefield after the fighting found no lead regarding his fate. The War Department issued a presumptive finding of death in December 1945.
While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen area, a DPAA historian determined that X-1128, recovered from one of the burned-out tanks in Strass, possibly belonged to Loterbaugh. The remains, which had been buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Margraten, Netherlands, were disinterred in July 2022 and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis. To identify Loterbaugh’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome DNA, and autosomal DNA analysis.
Loterbaugh will be buried in Dayton, Ohio on a date yet to be determined. Keep all of our fallen Soldiers, Marines and Sailors who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Country in your thoughts and prayers.
VFW Mission Statement: To foster camaraderie among Unites States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military, and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.
God Bless America and keep our still serving military safe as they serve around the world for our Country.
Marc Farmilette – Past Commander VFW Post 1545
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