{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Hail to the Chief","description":"On the heels of an electrifying VFW Washington Conference, Host Rob Couture welcomes VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore, Ryan Gallucci, Kristina Keenan, and Mike Figlioli to reflect on a landmark week of advocacy, powerful testimony on Capitol Hill and the sobering reality that American service members remain in harm\u2019s way amid escalating conflict involving Iran. Whitmore discusses delivering her testimony as VFW National Commander before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committees, calling on Congress to fully and faithfully \u201cHonor the Contract&quot; with veterans. The panel examines the VFW\u2019s top legislative priorities, including the Major Richard Star Act, suicide prevention, brain health, toxic exposure research, and improving access to care for veterans and service members. Watch VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore's full testimony: https:\/\/youtu.be\/UXXQzZxifJs Featured Guests: Carol Whitmore \u2013 VFW National Commander Ryan Gallucci \u2013 Executive Director, VFW Washington Office Kristina Keenan \u2013 Director, VFW National Legislative Service Mike Figlioli \u2013 Director, VFW National Veteran Service Episode Highlights: 0:00 Intro and roll call 1:28 Washington Conference overview 2:11 Conflict involving Iran and service members in harm\u2019s way 5:11 Remembering the six U.S. service members killed 11:44 Why honoring the contract matters now 13:00 Carol Whitmore\u2019s testimony before Congress 15:22 Preparing the VFW legislative message 17:10 Standing ovation for the Major Richard Star Act 19:04 Suicide prevention and the human cost of inaction 22:01 Why the Major Richard Star Act matters 24:56 Sen. Ron Johnson blocks unanimous consent 27:49 How unanimous consent works in the Senate 31:21 Why the issue is fairness, not cost 40:07 VA Secretary Doug Collins at Washington Conference 41:56 Rescinding the interim final rule 46:16 \u201cNo veteran should ever have to pay for a claim\u201d 51:05 VFW Congressional Award for Rep. August Pfluger 57:30 Bonus Army Memorial March and VFW advocacy history 1:06:35 Good of the Order 1:14:11 Closing remarks ","author_name":"#StillServing: The VFW Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/thevfwpodcast.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40345915\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/199339425"}