VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
NATIONAL COMMAND GROUP
2017 - 2018
NATIONAL COMMAND GROUP
2017 - 2018
2017 - 2018 National Command Group
Keith E. Harman was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 26, 2017, at the 118th VFW National Convention in New Orleans, La. Keith served in the U. S. Army from 1967 to 1969. He served in Vietnam as a crew chief and door gunner on UH-1 Huey helicopters. His decorations include the Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citations, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Aircraft Crewmember Badge. Keith joined the VFW in 1983 at Post 3035 in Delphos, Ohio, where he is a Gold Legacy Life member. He has served in elected and appointed positions at Post, District and Department levels, culminating with his election as Commander of the VFW Department of Ohio in 2004, where he achieved All-American status. On the national level, he has served on several committees, including the National Council of Administration from 2006 to 2008, and as Chairman of the National Veterans Service Committee. He is a life member of the VFW National Home, Military Order of the Cootie, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, and a member of American Legion and Alpha Troop Alumni Association. Keith attended Griffin Jr. College and Kansas State Teachers College. He is retired with 22 years of service as a county veterans’ service officer. He and his wife, Mary Lou, make their home in Delphos, Ohio. They have two children, Adam and Keri, and five grandchildren.
Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence was elected Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 26, 2017, at the 118th VFW National Convention in New Orleans, La. 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.
William J. “Doc” Schmitz was elected Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 26, 2017, at the 118th VFW National Convention in New Orleans, La.
Doc joined the United States Navy in 1966. He served in Vietnam as a corpsman attached to United States Marine Corps infantry and artillery. In recognition of his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1971 at Post 524 in Corning, N.Y., where he maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership. He has served as Department Commander, Post Commander, Southern Tier County Council Commander and District 5 Commander. He was also editor of the New York State Overseas Veteran publication for nine years. In 2007, he was elected Department Surgeon for the Department of New York where he served for five consecutive years and served as National Surgeon General from 2010 to 2011 and as National Inspector General from 2015 to 2016.
Doc worked for the Department of Corrections as a registered nurse and acting nurse administrator for 30 years before retiring. He currently is employed as the Director of Veterans Issues for Congressman Tom Reed of the 23rd Congressional District in New York.
Doc and his wife, Deborah, reside in Corning, N.Y.
Doc joined the United States Navy in 1966. He served in Vietnam as a corpsman attached to United States Marine Corps infantry and artillery. In recognition of his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1971 at Post 524 in Corning, N.Y., where he maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership. He has served as Department Commander, Post Commander, Southern Tier County Council Commander and District 5 Commander. He was also editor of the New York State Overseas Veteran publication for nine years. In 2007, he was elected Department Surgeon for the Department of New York where he served for five consecutive years and served as National Surgeon General from 2010 to 2011 and as National Inspector General from 2015 to 2016.
Doc worked for the Department of Corrections as a registered nurse and acting nurse administrator for 30 years before retiring. He currently is employed as the Director of Veterans Issues for Congressman Tom Reed of the 23rd Congressional District in New York.
Doc and his wife, Deborah, reside in Corning, N.Y.
