Vietnam Veteran to head the 1.5 million member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Thomas Tradewell is New VFW National Commander
America’s largest organization of combat veterans has elected a Vietnam War veteran to head the 1.5 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Thomas Tradewell, a resident of Sussex, Wis., was elected VFW National Commander on August 20, 2009, during the VFW’s National Convention, held August 15-20 in Phoenix, Ariz.

During his acceptance speech Tradewell, who served in the Army from 1966-1968, introduced his theme Honoring Our Military Heroes, stating, “to honor our military heroes is to ensure that our military and our veterans are honored, recognized and cared for … which is the focus of every program we conduct at every level of this great organization.”

He also reminded the mostly Vietnam-era audience that to remain a vibrant organization, the VFW must seek out and educate Iraq and Afghanistan veterans on the history and importance of the organization.