VFW National Commander Visits Troops in Poland

February 02, 2023

WASHINGTON — Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Commander Tim Borland traveled to Camp Kościuszko, Poznan, Poland, to visit with U.S. service members and learn about the American mission supporting NATO allies amid tensions with Russia.

VFW National Commander Tim Borland speaks with troops deployed to Camp Kosciuszko in Poland.Accompanied by VFW Washington Office Deputy Director Ryan Gallucci, Chief Borland was able to meet with the forward command element of the U.S. Army’s V Corps and the support team that makes up U.S. Army GarrisonPoland. The purpose of the visit was to get a better understanding of the U.S. military‘s role in NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in eastern Europe, receive a tour of the facilities and check on the quality of life of troops serving there.

“This Corps is in great hands,” said Borland speaking of V Corps and USAG - Poland leadership, who provide services and support to deployed service members. “I am very impressed with the esprit de corps in this unit.”

As America‘s forward deployed Corps in Europe, V Corps works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide command and control for the more than 20,000 U.S. troops and equipment reinforcing the eastern flank across nine countries to deter further aggression in the European theater.

The VFW team also took the opportunity at various stops along their visit to engage V Corps soldiers and share information about the VFW, to include free pre-discharge VA claims assistance for those who are looking to transition back to civilian life upon their return from deployment.

“I think it meant a lot to the troops and it was an ideal opportunity to communicate with key partners in the VSO community,” said V Corps Public Affairs Senior Enlisted Advisor Sgt Maj. Michael Pintagro about the visit. “We appreciate your outreach, your engagement and your advocacy on behalf of our soldiers and vets across the United States Army.”

In partnership with the Departments of Defense and State, directors of the VFW Washington Office plan and coordinate VFW command visits so the organization can better advocate on behalf of veterans, service members and their families, serving as their voice to Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the DoD.

After their time in Poland, the team will travel to Italy to visit with service members stationed in Vicenza and Aviano as well as VFW members and their families at local Posts.

Last year, Borland and Gallucci made their first trip to Europe together, visiting major NATO and U.S. military commands as well as service members and their families stationed at various installations throughout Belgium and Germany.

Photos of Commander Borland’s trip can found here. We’ll continue to add pictures as he completes his trip. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=VFWFans&set=a.558087263026189

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During the period 3-9 February 2023, VFW Commander-in-Chief Tim Borland and Deputy Executive Director Ryan Gallucci conducted a command visit of Caserma Ederle and Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, along with visits to Aviano Air Force Base, Aviano, Italy and Venice, Italy.

On Friday, 3 February 2023 VFW Commander Borland and Director Gallucci arrived at Marco Polo Airport in Venice, Italy where they were met by VFW Mediterranean Post 8862 Commander Johnny Borden and Service Officer Bobby White. Later that evening both guests were taken to a local restaurant for pizza, along with several members of VFW Mediterranean Post 8862.

On Saturday, 4 February 2023 VFW Commander Borland and Director Gallucci, along with their escorts, VFW Post 8862 Commander Johnny Borden and Service Officer Bobby White returned to Venice for a walking and boat tour of the picturesque, beautiful, and romantic city of Venice, including the Bridge of Sighs, Saint Mark’s Square, the Rialto and Constitution bridges.

On Sunday, 5 February 2023, a luncheon was held at the Conchiglia ‘d Oro Restaurant, Via Bassano #7, 36100 Vicenza, Italy with members of VFW Post 8862 and their guests. VFW Mediterranean Post 8862 Commander Borden introduced VFW Commander Borland and Director Gallucci and then VFW Commander Borland initiated a Q&A Briefing on the latest VFW developments and information.

On Monday, 6 February 2022, tours and briefings were conducted at Caserma Ederle with United States Army Garrison – Italy, (USAG-Italy) , United States Army Health Clinic, (USAHC), United Service Organization (USO), Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) before departing to the Dining Facility at Caserma Del Din for lunch with the troops.

After lunch Commander Borland and Director Gallucci visited the C-130 Mockup Parachute Landing Platform and Indoor Range and then made an ‘office call’ with the Commander, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Colonel Michael Kloepper. They continued to Headquarters, United Stated Army Southern European Task Force/Africa (USASETAF-AF) for an ‘office call’ with Commanding General, Major General Todd R. Wasmund.

On Tuesday, 7 February 2023, the team was escorted to Armed Forces Network (AFN) Television for a meeting with the AFN Station Manager and conducted a radio interview.

After lunch at the Food Court, a Recruiting Table was arranged and VFW Commander Borland along with the VFW Post 8862 Recruiter Ronald Reynolds, 86 new members were recruited into the VFW Mediterranean Post 8862 flock.

On Wednesday, 8 February 2023, the team , along with their escorts, were taken to Aviano Air Force Base, Aviano where VFW Commander Borland and Director Gallucci were greeted by Protocol Officers, Ms. Oriella Goff and TSgt Top Vance, 31st Fighter Wing, and given an ‘office call’ and briefing by the Commander, Brigadier General (BG) Tad Clark, Colonel Vincent O’Conner and Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) and others. Touring the base VFW Commander Borland and Director Gallucci were briefed by a number of other commanders, visited the Italian Air Force Museum and Aviano AFN Studio. They had lunch at the Mensa Restaurant with several Senior Noncommissioned Officers.

Thursday, 9 February 2023, Commander Borland and Director Gallucci departed Venice en route to CONUS. This visit was considered a huge success by the number of new VFW members that were recruited into the VFW Mediterranean Post 8862, the contacts made, and the information pertaining to the Patient-Aligned Care Team (PACT) Act that was briefed by the Deputy Executive Director Ryan Gallucci to all concerned.