National VFW Commander-in-Chief visits with local vets at Worthington

NATIONAL COMMANDER VISITS GREENE COUNTY: Commander Ken Stalcup of VFW Post 7117 in Worthington (left) welcomed VFW National Commander-In-Chief Thomas Tradewell to the local post Wednesday afternoon. Tradewell was on a tour of several posts in southern Indiana, meeting and talking to local veterans and answering questions about veterans' issues. (Greene County Daily World/Anna Rochelle) [Order this photo]

Tradewell received a warm welcome.

Worthington Town Marshal Dennis Conaway and Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce met Tradewell on his way into town and escorted him to the local post.

SHERIFF MEETS NATIONAL COMMANDER: Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce chatted with Commander-in-Chief Thomas Tradewell of the National VFW after escorting him to local VFW Post 7117 in Worthington to visit with local veterans. (Greene County Daily World/Anna Rochelle) [Order this photo]

Once inside, Tradewell was met by Commander Ken Stalcup and other officers from the Worthington Post.

VFW Commanders-in-Chief serve for one year. Each one works their way up through the ranks of a local post, then through district, state and national positions before being elected to the top spot at the VFW national convention in August.

A Commander-in-Chief typically logs thousands of miles in the effort to promote the VFW, veterans' issues and quality-of-life initiatives for active-duty, Reserve and Guard members.

By the time Tradewell's term ends, he will have visited every state and numerous countries overseas.

Tradewell spoke briefly upon his arrival then met and talked to veterans individually.

"It's been my honor to represent all of you," said Tradewell.

He said the VFW has offices in Kansas City and in Washington, D.C., right across from the Capitol Building, but the heart of the VFW is in each one of the local posts across the country.

On the national level, Tradewell said veterans need a strong lobbying group to look out for the issues that concern veterans.

Tradewell also said he had made visits to Russia and China.

"On MIA issues, we're letting them know we want to get into their archives ... and be able to give closure to every family that has someone missing," said Tradewell.

Tradewell served in the U. S. Army from 1966-68 and earned VFW eligibility while serving with B Company 26th Engineers 198th Light Infantry Brigade (Americal Division) in South Vietnam as a demolition specialist. His decorations include the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal.

Tradewell joined the VFW in 1968 at Post 6498 in Milwaukee where he is a Life Member. He has served in elected and appointed positions at the Post, District and Department (state) levels culminating with his election as Department Commander 1999-2000. He served as national inspector general in 2001-02. He also served as the District 11 National Council representative for members from the Departments of Wisconsin and Iowa in 2003-05.

Tradewell earned an associate's degree in industrial safety. He retired from Briggs and Stratton in 1998 as a Metallurgy Laboratory Technician after 30 years of service.

He is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of the Cootie, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Tradewell and his wife make their home in Sussex, Wis.