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A Mon Valley resident and life member of All-American West Mifflin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid has been selected as Commander VFW District 29, Department of Pennsylvania.

New Commander VFW District 29, Department of Pennsylvania William Roland, left, reviews membership strategies with West Mifflin VFW Post 914 Commander, Jake Bradich. (Photo credit: Michael P. Mauer)

Although he’d be the first to tell anybody that nobody does more for veterans than the VFW, he’s hoping that by highlighting the organization’s many successes, he can target younger service members to join its ranks.

William Roland, a retired Army major with 26 years of active and reserve military service, was elevated from the position of District 29 Senior Vice Commander approximately three months ago. As the new head of District 29, he will be in charge of the 39 active VFW Posts in Allegheny County.

According to Roland, a Kosovo campaign and Global War on Terrorism veteran, the main challenge he will be facing is how to improve the VFW’s image and attract younger members. He said that the 119-year-old veterans’ service organization does far more than just provide a social hall for camaraderie and cheap drinks.

“We are more than a smoke-filled bar,” the new commander said. “We do a great deal for our fellow veterans and their families.”

Roland pointed out that over the last dozen years, approximately 2 million service members and their families have received assistance from the VFW Military Assistance Program. Additionally, he said the VFW’s world-wide network of service officers have helped nearly 300,000 disabled veterans recover approximately $6.9 billion in benefits over the last three years.

Locally, VFW District 29 has supported student scholarship programs, and takes part in fundraising activities for the Arthritis Foundation, Roland added.

To help spread the word about these positive initiatives, Roland has directed District 29 to establish its own website at www.vfwpadist29.org. The new commander is confident that by improving communications and outreach to younger vets, more would be inclined to join.

“I am hoping that we can do press releases on events coming up because we do great things, but many people do not know,” Roland said. “It’s just a question of getting the word out, and reminding veterans that there is an established network of support there for them.”

Roland said that although he has retired from military service, his passion for helping his fellow veterans continues. He added that his commitment to service is one of the reasons he decided to join VFW Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin. “I joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars after my retirement form the military,” the new commander said. “I wondered how I could stay involved with veterans and found this to be the best option for me since the VFW seems to do so much for our veterans and their families.”

A past commander of VFW Post 5008, Roland resides in North Braddock and has been married for 42 years to his spouse, Marguerite. He has three children and one grandchild.

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