KANSAS CITY, Mo. — America’s largest organization of combat veterans has appointed a Vietnam War veteran Assistant Adjutant General for the 1.4 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Jerry Newberry was installed as VFW Assistant Adjutant General on Sept. 19 in Kansas City. As the Chief of Staff for the Adjutant General of the organization, Newberry will coordinate the implementation of all VFW missions and programs within VFW National Headquarters in Kansas City.
“I am thrilled for the VFW and for Jerry. He has committed his life to veterans’ well-being, and I know he will do all he can to help make sure the VFW remains the top veterans' service organization in the nation,” says VFW Commander-in-Chief John Hamilton.
Prior to accepting the position, Newberry had served as Director of Communications and Public Affairs since 2001. He oversaw a national public affairs program designed to promote, influence and improve understanding by the public, the membership and other interested parties of VFW principles, goals and achievements. He directed a broad field of communications activities including web page content and social media and assisted VFW staff, State Departments and VFW leadership in all matters of communications. As host and co-producer of VFW’s weekly radio show, he embedded with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Newberry earned his VFW eligibility for service with the U.S. Army in Vietnam.
He earned a degree in business and political science from Wayne State in Detroit, Mich. Following college, he earned many years of business experience managing all facets of a large, multi-state corporation. He went on to be employed by a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as an investigative reporter and newspaper columnist, and as a speech and Op-Ed writer for a former secretary of the VA.
Newberry stayed active in veterans’ affairs during this time, working with a number of organizations on a wide range of priority veteran’s issues including Agent Orange, homelessness, Cold Weather Injuries, PTSD and Gulf War Illness.
Newberry is currently a Life Member of VFW Post 2492 in Imlay City, Michigan.
He resides in the Kansas City area.