Leadership Begins With Listening

One of the questions I am occasionally asked is why I spend time attending Department conventions outside my home Department.

The answer is simple. I enjoy seeing friends. I enjoy meeting new Comrades. Most importantly, I enjoy listening.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Idaho VFW State Convention with Steven Woodward. What I found was exactly what I have found throughout much of the VFW: good people working hard to serve veterans and strengthen their communities.

From the moment we arrived, the hospitality was outstanding. Immediate Past State Commander Troy Junier, newly elected State Commander Tom Black, Senior Vice Commander Lee Hartwig, National Surgeon General Doug Welch, and so many others made us feel welcome. It was also a pleasure spending time with Idaho's National Legislative Member Payton Schooler-Polillo and National Council Member Bobby Tettleton.

What stood out most was the atmosphere.

There were smiles everywhere. Conversations were easy. Members were engaged. There was a genuine sense of unity and pride in what Idaho's VFW is accomplishing.

Visiting the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery with National Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore and fellow VFW leaders provided a meaningful reminder of the service and sacrifice that unite us across One VFW.

Those conversations are why I value opportunities like this.

Every Department has its own strengths. Every Department has its own challenges. Some concerns are unique to a particular area, while others are shared across the country. The only way to understand those differences is to spend time with people, listen to their experiences, and hear directly from the members doing the work every day.

I don't believe leadership begins by speaking. I believe leadership begins by listening.

The most meaningful part of the trip came when we visited the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery with National Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore.

We paid tribute at the PFC Carrie French Women Veterans Memorial and spent time reflecting on the service and sacrifice of the women and men who came before us. We also visited the resting place of former Idaho Governor and Senator Dirk Kempthorne, whose recent passing was felt deeply throughout Idaho.

Standing in a veterans cemetery has a way of putting things into perspective. As I have written previously, "titles matter less.", "elections matter less.". The things that often occupy our attention become much smaller.

What remains is the reason we are all here in the first place: serving veterans, supporting one another, and ensuring the sacrifices of those who came before us are never forgotten.

The PFC Carrie French Women Veterans Memorial honors the service of women veterans and serves as a powerful reminder of those whose sacrifices continue to inspire our work today.

That reminder is one of the reasons I value opportunities to travel and spend time with members throughout our organization. Not because I have all the answers, but because I learn something every time I go.

The VFW is strongest when we take the time to listen to one another. We may come from different states, different Posts, and different backgrounds, but we are united by a common purpose.

Thank you to the Department of Idaho for your friendship, your hospitality, and the opportunity to spend time with so many outstanding Comrades.

I left with a greater appreciation for your Department and a renewed belief that one VFW grows stronger every time we take the time to listen.