VFW Commander-in-Chief

Thursday, March 1, 2001

Goldsmith Elected VFW Commancder-in-Chief all aware of the benefits and services they are entitled to when they separate from the armedforces. Goldsmith served in the U.S. Army from November 1965 to August 1967, with duty in Vietnam as an engineer from April 1966 to August 1967. In 1978, Goldsmith wasselected as Michigan’s “Young Veteran of the Year,” and in 1980, became the first Vietnam veteran to be elected (NAPSA)—The 102nd national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States witnessed a changing of the guard. James N. Goldsmith of Lapeer, Michigan was elected Commander- in-Chief of the organization on August 24, 2001. The convention washeld in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Deeply concerned for the welfare of our active duty and reserve military forces, Goldsmith has traveled worldwide listening to the needs of U.S. service men and women. Asa result of these many discussions, he lists quality of life and defense readiness issues as his top priorities. For example, he is particularly concerned about the number of the organization’s members who have diabetes. According to Goldsmith, “Our membership and,in fact, all of our citizens are now threatened by a silent, yet deadly enemy—Diabetes. The war against this insidious killer has taken on an increased urgency since we now knowthat in-country Vietnam vets are suffering from this dreaded Department Junior Vice Comman- der. He earned All American status as a Department Commander, James N. Goldsmith, newly elected Commander-in-Chief of the VFW,lists quality of life and defense readiness issues as his top priorities. disease in alarmingly high num- bers, due to their service there.” He is proposing the VFW establish a number of research grants aimedat defeating the disease. Another concern for Goldsmith is making sure that membersofthe Active Duty forces, National Guard, Reserves and military retirees are 1982-1983. He also served as vice-chairman of the POW/MIA Committee and the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee. While serving as Senior Vice Commander-inChief, Goldsmith was selected to travel to Vietnam aspart of a presidential fact-finding committee. He retired from General Motors in 1997 after 35 yearsof service. For a free brochure about becoming a member of the VFW write: Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Headquarters, Membership, Broadway at 34th Street, KansasCity, MO 64111.

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