VFW Connections |
Tom first joined the VFW in 1984 when he was coaching a Pop Warner football team in San Antonio. The local auxiliary agreed to sponsor the group and encouraged the Vietnam veteran coaches to sign up for membership. Although he wasn’t very active with the organization during this time, he became much more involved in the mid-1990s after moving to Virginia. In 1996, he became a VFW Post 1503 Trustee to help as an auditor. He served as a Trustee for many years before moving through the ranks as a post officer. He was elected as Post Commander from 2011-2012. Tom serves on the state audit Committee. He has served in all elected positions at the state level, except for Chaplain. He was elected as the State Commander from 2016-2017 and is now serving in a four-year role as a National Council Member representing Virginia. He is also an active member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and served as the State Commander of the group from 2005-2006.
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The summer after his high school graduation, he met Betty. She had cousins in Lindale and the two of them shared a close social circle. Shortly after the start of their relationship, he began a program at a junior college in Tyler, TX, working toward a degree in accounting.
Military HistoryAfter one year of college under his belt, Tom volunteered for the draft to join the Army in 1967. His brother had just gotten out of the Air Force and Tom hoped to receive the same academic benefits from the GI Bill that his brother had earned as a veteran. Although his father was initially concerned, as the Vietnam War was intensifying during this time, his family ultimately supported his decision.
He completed boot camp and advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Three weeks later, he was sent to Vietnam as an 11B: an Infantry Soldier. His unit was in the Que Son Valley, spending nearly all his time in the jungle during that year. He was only in country for about a month when the Tet Offensive attacks started. Tom was wounded and spent three weeks receiving medical care. He returned to the field with the stitches still in his arms and legs. He was in Vietnam for a full year before returning to the United States. Tom is proud of his unit and their ability to uphold their mission, even in dangerous circumstances.
Only 10 days after returning from Vietnam, Tom was in Texas to marry the love of his life, Betty. However, as he still had six months left on his military contract, Tom was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington. He served as an instructor for the 45 pistol and 50 caliber machine guns. After two years of service in the United States Army, Tom transitioned back to the civilian world and returned to Texas to be with his new bride.
Once he had relocated to Texas, Tom resumed his college studies at Tyler Junior College and earned an AA in accounting. He continued with his schooling and finished his Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting at Lamar University in 1972. Afterward, he moved to San Antonio to complete his MBA at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Tom earned his CPA and still maintains that certification today. He spent a year working in Virginia before returning to Texas for eight years. In 1988, Tom and Betty moved to Virginia to continue their careers and have lived here ever since. Tom started in civil service as a GS-7 auditor. He retired in 2009 as the Department of Defense Principal Deputy Inspector General.
Tom and Betty have two children, both of whom live locally, so they frequently visit with them, their 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Although a couple of the grandchildren have moved and one is in the military, they all still make time for gatherings. With several extended family members living in Texas, Tom and Betty hope to have more time for traveling in the future.
Both Tom and Betty have devoted themselves to the VFW organization for many years through their local, state, and national roles. Today, they both continue to support the VFW at many levels, especially to empower the next generation of VFW members and volunteers. Their experience and dedication have ensured a thriving membership at Post 1503 and robust leadership to keep our organization going for generations to come.