State Commander Carol Thomas

Comrades, Sisters and Brothers, 

 

I want to start by thanking the Department of Colorado for all the hard work that has been accomplished this year. We have more to do. Membership is doing good, most of the Post/Districts are thriving. My team and I have been extremely busy. We have been traveling around to the districts working with Posts that need assistance, helping to resolve issues and our very own Services Officers are working with Veterans to file claims for benefits.

 

We have worked to have a balanced budget and not minimize our expenses for the Department. We had to cut some things, to some changes to accomplish this. We have worked really well with the Auxiliary, the Cooties, and the Warriors in order for each organization to raise funds and accomplish their goals for this year. We were able to assist other Departments, North Carolina and New Mexico veterans during their flood disasters. Overall it has been good, but a tough year with all that had happened.

 

In a month and a half, our State Convention will convene. These are June 19-22, 2025. The convention city is Colorado Springs, Colorado this year. All forms you need to get registered is on the Department web page at https://vfwco.org/index.php/convention. I hope to see all of you there. We will have a military banquet with keynote speaker, Florent “Flo’ Groberg, Retired U.S. Army Officer & Medal of Honor Recipient, Heroism during the War in Afghanistan. Our VFW National Representative will be Brian Duffy, Past Commander-in-Chief. Both bios’ are listed on the Department Website.

 

As of 4/28/2025, the Districts membership are as follows: District 12 leads the pack with 107.77%, followed by District 5 with 105.87% and District 4 with 105.01%. District 6 reached 103.68% and District 13 reached 100.84%. The remaining 8 Districts are all above 90%.

 

For the Posts, their percentages are as follows: (15 Posts have reached 105% or higher) Post 12227 leads the pack with 300%, followed by Post 12230 with 223.08%, Post 8064 with 122.50%, Post 4051 with 121.14%, Post 807 with 114.81%, Post 5231 with 109.19%, Post 9058 with 109.09%,Post 8121 with 108.82%, Post 4031 with 108.29%, Post 3551 with 108.10%, Post 9374 with 107.69%, Post 12063 with 107.27%, Post 6612 with 107.14%, Post 2411 with 105.35% and Post 12189 with 105.26%.

 

(13 Posts have reached 102% to 104.99%) Post 336 with 104.76%, Post 9700 with 104.54%, Post 3641 with 104.05%, Post 3641 with 104.05%, Post 1166 with 102.85%, Post 3541 with 102.81%, Post 7829 with 102.77%, Post 3981 with 102.57%, Post 6051 with 102.43%, Post 5221 with 102.38%, Post 9565 with 102.35%, Post 9221 with 102.32%, Post 4671 with 102.22%, Post 5812 with 102.11%.

 

(17 Posts have reached 100% to 101.99%) Post 2601 with 101.11%, Post 101 with 100.66%, Post 100.45%. Posts with 100% are Post 3471, Post 4666, Post 8898, Post 6482, Post 7153, Post 4001, Post 4281, Post 4849, Post 6101, Post 11411, Post 5843, Post 1247, Post 5181, Post 3411.

 

There are 34 Posts that have reached 90% to 99.99%. There are 6 Posts that reached 80% to 89.99%.

 

Please keep in mind the membership program for the year does end on June 30, 2025. The VFW Online Membership System has a list of those members who have not renewed their membership for the current and please complete a buddy check and is if they are willing to extend their membership by renewing TODAY. Post Commanders and Post Quartermasters please reach out to those members who have expired and also do a buddy check. Membership if you would like to assist please let the Post leadership know.

 

Congratulations to the Colorado Recruiters (2024-2025)

New Members - 361; Reinstate - 49; Total Recruited - 410; No Recruiter - 216; Department Total - 626

 

Though the community service reporting period is over for the State of Colorado, it is not for National. You need to continue to make entries as you complete your events.

 

Carol Thomas

Department Commander