Leadership, Presence, and Shared Spaces During Mid-Winter

The Mid-Winter season is one of the few times each year when members, leaders, candidates, and past leaders naturally come together in the same rooms.

These gatherings are practical.

They are visible.

They show leadership as it is lived, not staged.

This Mid-Winter season, my focus has been shaped first and foremost by the responsibility of representing Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore, when asked. Carrying that responsibility is not ceremonial. It requires discipline, awareness, and a clear understanding that the mission of the Veterans of Foreign Wars must come before any individual role or ambition.

Representing the National Organization

At the Nevada Mid-Winter, I was honored to represent the Commander-in-Chief. My responsibility was clear. Speak to her mission and priorities. Keep the focus on the National organization. Engage with Comrades about the work ahead.

I attended in my role as a National Representative. I did not deliver a campaign message nor speak to the members about my candidacy; instead, the conversations stayed centered on service, continuity, and responsibility.

Nevada reinforced something important for me. Leadership at the National level requires restraint during this Mid-Winter season. It requires knowing when to speak for yourself and when to speak for the organization.

Nevada also brought fellow candidates into the same shared space. David Sousa, Nevada, was present in his role as Nevada State Adjutant but also as both my fellow National Council Member and Candidate for Jr. Vice Commander-in-Chief 2028-2029, carrying his official responsibilities while engaging with members. Greg Harrell, Arizona, also attended, taking time to support the host Department while continuing his campaign outreach.

While some may say that I should have spoken about my candidacy, I appreciated the opportunity to speak with both of them and to hear their perspectives on what they believe will help move the organization forward. Seeing candidates willing to travel, listen, and engage directly with Comrades reflects well on the seriousness with which many are approaching this season.

Continuity, History, and the Next Generation

Mid-Winter gatherings have a way of showing continuity. They place current leaders, past leaders, and future leaders together in ways that feel natural rather than planned.

That continuity was evident in New Mexico, where fellow candidate Shawn Watson, Department of Pacific Areas, attended the Mid-Winter alongside Past Commander-in-Chief Tim Borland, of Arizona, and Past Commander-in-Chief B.J. Lawrence, of New Mexico. Shawn, I am sure, spent time engaging with Comrades and participating in the Mid-Winter discussions throughout the event and also discussing lessons learned with two Past Chiefs, this is where the rubber meets the road for the future of our organization.

One photo from the New Mexico Mid-Winter captured a meaningful moment. Past Commander-in-Chief Borland was seated at the head table alongside State Commander Haddox and State Senior Vice Commander Mack Dyer while Past Commander-in-Chief Lawrence addressed the room. It reflected the depth of experience present and the role past leadership continues to play in shaping conversations.

Past Commander-in-Chief B.J. Lawrence addresses the room during the New Mexico Mid-Winter Conference, with Past Commander-in-Chief Tim Borland seated at the head table alongside State Commander Haddox and State Senior Vice Commander Mack Dyer, reflecting the experience and continuity present at Mid-Winter gatherings.

Having a current candidate present in that same setting highlighted a moment where history and future leadership intersected. These are the kinds of moments Mid-Winter creates. They bring together members, past leaders, and those seeking future roles in ways that are grounded in shared purpose.

These settings matter because they allow members to observe leadership up close. Not through prepared remarks. Through presence, engagement, and respect for the space being shared.

Where we show up matters.

How we engage matters.

What we choose to center in those moments matters.

For me, this Mid-Winter season has reinforced the importance of representing the organization with care and consistency. Serve when asked. Stay grounded in the mission. Respect the history while remaining focused on what comes next.

Mid-Winter continues to be one of the clearest reminders of how leadership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars is practiced. Quietly. Visibly. Together.