Gregory A. Stafford

National Inspector General

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Gregory A. Stafford was appoint National Inspector General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on August 1, 2024, at the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

Greg served in the United States Navy from 1983 to 2005, earning his VFW eligibility by serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. In recognition of his service, he received four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, six Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, among others.

He joined the VFW in 2008 at Post 6060 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where he maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership. He has served in elected and appointed positions at the Post, District and Department levels, culminating with his election as the VFW Department of North Carolina Commander in 2017. On the national level, Greg is serving his second term on the Council of Administration, previously serving from 2018 to 2022. He has also served on the National Budget & Finance Committee, the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee and as National Aide-de-Camp.

Greg received his bachelor's degree in history and secondary education from Elizabeth State University in 2009. He is retired.

He is a life member of the VFW National Home, Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Cootie.

Greg resides in Camden, North Carolina.

Cindy Anderson
National VFW Auxiliary District Council Member #13 - 2023-2025

National Auxiliary Representative

Cindy Anderson of Westminster, Colorado, represents Colorado and Kansas on the National Council of Administration, which governs the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States Auxiliary between National Conventions.

A Life Member of Joseph J. Jacques, Jr. Auxiliary 7945 in Thornton, Colorado, she joined on the eligibility of her late husband Warren Anderson, who served in the U. S. Air Force from 1966 to 1970 during the Vietnam War.

Cindy has served the organization in many capacities, including Auxiliary, District and Department President.

She attended Rasmussen Business College in St. Paul, Minnesota and was employed as a bookkeeper and office manager for a public accountant until retiring.

In her spare time, Cindy enjoys reading, knitting, sewing and watching movies. She is a member of Advent Lutheran Church and volunteers there and in the community where she lives. She is a member of the Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary (MOCA) and held the Grand President and Clown offices.

Her family includes two daughters, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

I would like to thank everyone for being at the State Convention in Cripple Creek, the turn out was just amazing.  It is great to see so many people. 

This is something I never thought would happen to me, but you must always believe in yourself and your abilities and great achievements can be met.

I am going to do my best to make this a very good year for the Department of Colorado.  We have great comrades that were elected this year and the chairpersons that were appointed are great and we will blossom together.   

We are having a change of the watch between Commander John Keene and myself.  We have already saved the department over $4,000, thanks to Jesse and Rachel at the VFW HQ, keep up the good work.  HQ staff is planning an open house in the near future...so stand by.  We have increased communication within the department and will be spreading cheer amongst the districts and post level as well.   Since the installation, we have attended an awards ceremony in Aurora by the South Korean Ambassador awarding Korea Veterans the Peace Award.   Thanks goes to all who coordinated this event as well as those who attended.  We also attended Parker Days supporting their membership drive.

I have spent just over 36 years in the Navy, experienced many challenges throughout my career and would not change anything.   It was actually an enjoyable learning experience in my life.  I  joined the VFW in 2009.  Some of us that were demobilizing and getting ready to transition back to our civilian jobs went to breakfast in San Diego where a VFW Post was having a recruiting event and they advised  us that the Global War on Terrorism- Expeditionary Medal was an eligibility requirement so we all signed up as Life Members.  I have been affiliated with the VFW since I was like 7 years old, due to my mother marrying a Navy WW2 Veteran.  

If your post or district is having an event please let HQ know so we can get it on the schedule and maybe if schedule permitting on of might be there.

I am very proud to represent the Department of Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars.  We will have a very great year this year.  I am here to work for all veterans.

Hello, My Auxiliary Brothers and Sisters,

It is an honor to be serving as your Department President for the 2024-2025 year.  I want to thank every active service member and veteran, especially those who are members of my family, that have taken the Oath of Enlistment and sacrificed much for our country.  Without them, we would not be able to enjoy our lives as we do today.

Thank you to all the members of the VFW Auxiliary and VFW, that have mentored and guided me along my auxiliary journey, and to everyone who continues to mentor and guide me.  The friendships I have made and the lessons I have been taught have shaped, and continue to shape, my journey with the VFW Auxiliary and all that I know can be done to help our service members and veterans.  A huge thank you to my husband, William – who is always by my side even when I take him on crazy adventures, thank you to my children, Jacob and Meredith – who have been to many meetings, COAs, Conventions, and events with me, thank you to my parents, Chris and Rowena – who have always encouraged and supported me, as well as had many weekends of grandparent duty to help with my children so we could attend many VFW & Auxiliary functions, thank you to my siblings, Holly, Twila and Christopher – who are always there to lend a hand when I need to be crafty, or a shoulder when things have me down, thank you to my mother-in-law and father-in-law, Chris and Cathy Flores – who have attended and helped with many events as members of the auxiliary and who have also had many weekends where they have taken on grandparent duty so that we could attend VFW & Auxiliary functions, and many thanks to the Past Department Presidents and to many of the National Line Officers who have given words of encouragement and advice throughout the last few years. 

As many of you already know, I have a passion for helping others, and do so in all aspects of my life, both through my career and in all my volunteering.  My special project this year will be a combined special project with VFW Commander Carol Thomas.  The project we have chosen is that of the White Ribbon.  The White Ribbon is one that focuses on awareness and prevention of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and domestic violence.  This project is very near and dear to my heart and I believe that any individual, veteran or not, should never have to go through their journey of healing alone, as it takes tremendous courage to even speak up about these topics, much less voice that it is happening to them.  Funds that are raised for the project will go to a specified program through the IPVAP (Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program), called “Equine-imity,” within the Rocky Mountain Regional VA that partners with equine healing and will be used to help survivors on their journey to recovery.  The program recognizes that veterans face many unique issues and challenges in their road to healing, and sometimes that means thinking outside the box of traditional approaches of counseling. 

The project that has been chosen will tie into my theme for this year, which is “All Veterans, All Voices,” as the VFW and its Auxiliary is one voice for veterans when we need those in Washington D.C. to take notice of what our veterans need, but in our own home areas we need to recognize that each veteran that we come across is unique and has their own story.  For each of us to be able to help them to the best of our abilities, we need to listen to their stories and their voices, or we may miss something important.

I am so excited for this coming year, and to be working alongside our Commander, to continue growing the relationship between the VFW & Auxiliary, and to foster great relationships between the Auxiliaries and membership throughout the state.  I thank each and every one of you for all of the hard work and dedication you put into caring for our veterans.  Even the smallest acts of kindness can change the world, and that is what each of you do every day and every time you help our veterans, active military personnel, and their families.  Again, I am so honored and humbled to be serving as your Auxiliary Department President for the next year, and I cannot wait to see all that each auxiliary has in store to make the year a successful one!

Warmest Wishes,

On July 13, 2024, Englewood VFW Post 322 proudly renamed itself the Danny Dietz VFW Post 322 in a heartfelt ceremony honoring the late Navy SEAL Danny Dietz. The event was marked by a profound sense of pride and remembrance as several artifacts were presented to the post in Danny's honor. Though his father, Dan Dietz, unfortunately passed away before witnessing this significant tribute, his mother, Cindy Dietz, attended the ceremony and accepted the honors on behalf of her son. The renaming reflects the post's dedication to honoring local heroes and ensuring their legacies endure.

Danny Dietz, a native of Littleton, Colorado, was a Navy SEAL who bravely served his country during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. Tragically, Danny lost his life on June 28, 2005, during an intense firefight with Taliban forces, a sacrifice that earned him the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. His story of courage and dedication continues to inspire many, and the renaming of the post in his honor ensures his legacy lives on within the community. The ceremony not only highlighted Danny's valor but also underscored the ongoing commitment of VFW Post 322 to uphold the values and sacrifices of our nation's service members.

VFW Department of Colorado & Auxiliary had the distinction of meeting the family of U.S.Army Technical Fifth Grade Clifford Strickland.  Clifford Strickland was stationed on the Philippine Islands when Japanese troops landed, he was subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW Camp till his death on July 29, 1942.  His body was identified and returned to Colorado on June 27, 2024.  We had the honor to escort Strickland from DIA to his final resting place in Florence, Colorado.  All who attended this historical event were proud and emotional.

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VFW Air Lift & CABA!

As we prepare for the upcoming holiday season, it’s time once again to focus on one of our most impactful initiatives: the VFW Airlift. I was walking around the store last week and they already had their Christmas decorations out, which reminded me to remind all of you about the VFW Airlift coming up in just a few months! This year’s Airlift is scheduled for December 7th, and we are calling on all our posts to support this vital mission.

Last year, with your incredible support, we raised over $20,000, allowing us to deliver food to over 1,500 veterans and their families across Colorado. We processed 10 tons of non-perishable food, which equates to over 90,000 meals on the tables of veterans and their families—not including the hundreds of toys collected! However, due to the rising cost of food, we will need even more resources this year to meet the growing needs of our veterans.

We are excited to announce that posts can once again apply for the Uniting to Combat Hunger grant from the VFW, which matches $1,500 donated to the VFW Airlift. This means your post can contribute the first $1,500 without being out of pocket a dime! The grant application opens in September, so make sure to donate early and file promptly to ensure your post secures these funds. For more information on the Uniting to Combat Hunger grant and how to apply, visit Uniting to Combat Hunger Grant.

How to Contribute:

• Donations: Send all monetary donations to /made out to the Department HQ.
• Requests for Assistance: If you need food, logistics support, or wish to volunteer, please contact Ron Davies.
• Toy Drives: Set up a toy drive at your post for small toys to be included in the Airlift deliveries.

We are aiming to make the 2024 VFW Airlift our biggest yet, and we are counting on your generosity and dedication to help us reach more veterans and their families than ever before. Let’s come together to serve those who have served us and ensure that no veteran goes without during the holiday season.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission.

VFW Department of Colorado Service Office – Lakewood
Phone number – 303-914-5595
Address: 155 Van Gordon Ste 205, Lakewood CO 80228
Office hours are Monday – Thursday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Matt Cummings, Department Service Officer
Ralph “Obie” Oberhelman, Assistant Department Service Officer
Ginny Rosa, Office Manager/Claims Consultant