VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
NATIONAL COMMAND GROUP
2019 - 2020
NATIONAL COMMAND GROUP
2019 - 2020
2019 - 2020 National Command Group
William J. “Doc” Schmitz was Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 24, 2019, at the 120th VFW National Convention in Kansas City, Mo. Doc served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970. 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 the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He joined the VFW 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. He served as the National Surgeon General from 2010 to 2011, and as the 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.
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Hal J. Roesch II was elected Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 24, 2019, at the 120th VFW National Convention in Kansas City, Mo. Hal served in the United States Air Force from 1982 to 2002. He is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield/Storm and Southern Watch, and the recipient of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three campaign stars, the Humanitarian Service Medal (for Hurricane Hugo relief in South Carolina), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. He joined the VFW in 1991 at Post 3034 in Sumter, S.C., later transferring to Post 4542 in Spring Lake, N.C., then to Post 3219 in Phoebus, Va., 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 VFW Department of Virginia Commander from 2008 to 2009, in which he achieved All-American status. On the national level, he served on the Council of Administration from 2010 to 2012, and as the Inspector General from 2016 to 2017. Hal is currently a financial advisor with First Command Financial Planning. He received his Associate of Arts degree in avionics system technology from the Community College of the Air Force. He is a life member of Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, the American Legion and the Military Order of the Cootie. Hal and his wife, Beth, reside in Hampton, Va.
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Matthew M. “Fritz” Mihelcic was elected Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 24, 2019, at the 120th VFW National Convention in Orlando, Fla.
Fritz served in the United States Air Force Air National Guard from 1989 to 1999 with the 131st Tactical Fighter Wing. Activated for federal service, he served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991 as a security policeman. In recognition of his service, he received the Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V (Valor) Device, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two devices, and the Kuwait Liberation Medals from both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Additionally, he received numerous state and federal awards and decorations.
He joined the VFW in 1991, and currently maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership at Post 2698 in Sparta, Ill. He served as Judge Advocate for the Department of Illinois from 1999 to 2011, the Department of Illinois Commander from 2013 to 2014 in which he achieved AllAmerican status, multiple terms as the National Parliamentarian, and served four separate terms as National Judge Advocate General. He is also admitted to practice law in several state and federal jurisdictions.
Fritz received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois in 1982. He graduated from the St. Louis University School of Law in 1985. He retired as a senior information law attorney with the United States Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
He is also a member of the Military Order of the Cootie, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Society of American Magicians, and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.
Fritz and his wife, Megan, reside in Columbia, Ill., along with his service dog, Mama Cass.
Fritz served in the United States Air Force Air National Guard from 1989 to 1999 with the 131st Tactical Fighter Wing. Activated for federal service, he served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991 as a security policeman. In recognition of his service, he received the Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V (Valor) Device, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two devices, and the Kuwait Liberation Medals from both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Additionally, he received numerous state and federal awards and decorations.
He joined the VFW in 1991, and currently maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership at Post 2698 in Sparta, Ill. He served as Judge Advocate for the Department of Illinois from 1999 to 2011, the Department of Illinois Commander from 2013 to 2014 in which he achieved AllAmerican status, multiple terms as the National Parliamentarian, and served four separate terms as National Judge Advocate General. He is also admitted to practice law in several state and federal jurisdictions.
Fritz received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois in 1982. He graduated from the St. Louis University School of Law in 1985. He retired as a senior information law attorney with the United States Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
He is also a member of the Military Order of the Cootie, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Society of American Magicians, and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.
Fritz and his wife, Megan, reside in Columbia, Ill., along with his service dog, Mama Cass.
