Vincent "B.J." Lawrence
Past Commander-in-Chief
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 25, 2018, at the 119th VFW National Convention in Kansas City, Mo.
B.J. served with the United States Army from 1983 to 1986, earning his VFW eligibility by serving in Korea, where he earned the Korean Defense Service Medal.
Upon joining VFW Post 7686 in Alamogordo, N.M., in 2000, he immediately began to dedicate his efforts toward moving the organization forward into the new millennium and beyond. He has proven to be a highly effective and dynamic leader, serving in a myriad of critical leadership positions, to include being elected to command his Post, District and the VFW Department of New Mexico, as well as serving on the National Appeals Committee, and as Vice Chairman of the National Legislative Committee. He was also elected to the VFW National Council of Administration in 2009.
During the 2010 VFW National Convention, he joined the ranks of a select few when he was recognized for his distinctive membership recruiting achievements on the Post, District and Department levels by earning the coveted designation of “VFW Triple Crown Winner.”
B.J. attended the New Mexico State Law Enforcement Academy, New Mexico Firefighters Academy, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration Narcotics Enforcement School. He served his community as a police officer for several years, including time as an undercover agent. Prior to his retirement in 2015, he was a private investigator and owner of Lawrence Investigations.
In 2008 he became a Gold Legacy Life member. He is also a life member of the VFW National Home for Children and the Military Order of the Cootie.
B.J. and his wife, Mary, reside in Alamogordo, N.M.
Penny Hurt
National Chief of Staff/Extension & Revitalization Ambassador
VFW National Auxiliary
She first joined as a Junior Girl in 1970, then became an Auxiliary member in 1976 at age 16 and is a Life Member of the Canfield-Hughes Auxiliary 9128, in Bettendorf, Iowa. She joined the eligibility of her father, Elmer Hurt, who served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1954 in the Korean War.
Penny has served the organization in many capacities, including Auxiliary, Department and District Program Chairmanships and President and is currently the Auxiliary Secretary and Department Treasurer. She was the Big 10 Conference Americanism Chairman from 2017-2018 and Conference Guard from 2022-2023.
She holds an associate’s degree in accounting from Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa. Her family includes one daughter, two sons and six grandchildren.
In her spare time, Penny enjoys crafts and traveling. Also, she loves spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Department of Colorado VFW 104th State Convention
Department of Colorado VFW Auxiliary 100th State Convention
June 5th thru 8th, 2024, Cripple Creek CO
Welcome to the 104th VFW State Convention & 100th State Convention VFW Auxiliary!!! How exciting is it to be a valued member of the Department of Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S!!! Over 100 years of Tradition, Supporting Veterans and our Communities....
We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding State Convention.
Convention Forms and Agendas will be updated frequently, please check back here for up-to-date information.
TIMES AND LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Convention Hotel: Best Chamonix Casino Hotel, 201 East Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Starting Rate: $159 per night + Tax + $34 resort fee per day - CUT OFF DATE FOR RESERVATIONS WEDNESDAY, MAY 15TH
Call: 719-689-2142 (Ask for the VFW24 rate)
OR Book Online (Change the Dates to the Convention to see the Rates) Click Here
Deposit Policy: One night will be charged upon booking and applied to the final bill at checkout.
Convention Registration Form - CUT OFF FOR PRE-REGISTRATION IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 15TH
-VFW Auxiliary Registration Click here-
Corporate Sponsorship Form Corporate Sponsorship Form-
VFW Convention Agenda -VFW Convention Agenda-
Auxiliary Convention Agenda -VFW Auxiliary Convention Agenda-
Past Commanders Club -
Who: any member of the Department that has held the position of Commander at any level for at least six months.
What: a fundraiser to provide a Voice of Democracy and Patriots’ Pen scholarship for the Department VOD Banquet.
When: Thursday night, June 6, at 1800 hours.
Where: Cripple Creek Heritage Center, 9283 CO-67, Cripple Creek, CO, 80813
Why: to raise money, for the comradery, and to sample a variety of drinks provided by Fighting 69th Whiskey. To also gather information on how partnering with the Fighting 69th can help raise money for your Post.
How: new members may join the club for $30, dinner and drink tickets are $25. All money to be collected at the door. Please rsvp to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can get a headcount and have enough food.
Map of Locations:
 VFW Auxiliary Registration | [ ] | 552 kB |
| Cripple Creek Map of Meeting Locations.pdf | [ ] | 124 kB |
| VFW Auxiliary Convention Agenda | [As of 5/13/2024] | 150 kB |
| VFW Convention Agenda | [As of 5/6/2024] | 128 kB |
| Corporate Convention Sponsorship Form | [ ] | 908 kB |
| VFW Registration | [ ] | 567 kB |
Please note that the Department HQ will not print and mail paper convention credentials for Delegates, Post Commanders, District Commanders, and State Officers. Instead, all Post, District, and State Officers will be identified with official VFW and Department rosters and Post Adjutant's or Quartermasters are asked to report the Post's elected delegates via the Department website. Credentials will then be "stamped" on the individuals name badge when they register at the convention. The on-line delegate report form will be available starting 1 April through the day before the convention opening date.
Click here to report elected delegates for your Post.
Under Section 222 of the Manual of Procedures, "Delegates and alternates for the District Convention and Meetings, Department and National Conventions shall be elected at a regular meeting in April." Posts are entitled to 1 delegate for every 30 members or fraction thereof based on the number of members in good standing as of March 31st. The Department Headquarters will notify each post in writing what their delegate strength is along with the delegate registration fee which must be paid no later than 15 days before the convening of the Department Convention.
Please note that members, including delegates, attending the Department Convention are also expected to pay the Convention Registration fee. See VFW Registration 2023-2024.pdf for details.
Buddy Poppy Display Contest will again be held in connection with the State Convention. Rules have been designed to put emphasis on the purpose and effectiveness of the displays.
BUDDY POPPY ROOM WILL BE ANNOUNCED
Rules
(1). Displays will be presented and judged in three categories:
CATEGORY 1 Public Promotion of Poppy Campaign.
Examples (Window, booth, parade, poster displays, campaign promotions, etc.)
(a). Displays must be designed for public exposure and must bear a message soliciting a donation for and wearing of the VFW Buddy Poppy
(b). At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color, with label attached.