FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VFW Honors Wisconsin Department Commander

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 14, 2023) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is pleased to announce Michele Rathke has achieved All-American status as a Department commander. To achieve this honor, Department commanders must meet strict requirements in their role to include exceptional leadership, authentic accomplishment in membership growth and strong support of VFW core programs.

Rathke, a Gold Legacy Life member of Post 1638 in Merrill, Wisconsin, is one of 48 VFW Department commanders worldwide to earn the title of All-American commander. Her hard work played an integral role helping the organization successfully remain focused on its service to veterans. 

"Commanders like Michele Rathke are a fine example of VFW leadership, and it’s their hard work and dedication to the mission and values of our organization that has rightly earned them this great honor,” said VFW Membership Director Rick Butler.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim "NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at vfw.org.

-vfw-

Media contact: Rick Butler, membership director, rbutler@vfw.org.