Iraqi Veteran Unanimously Nominated for Prominent Position Amongst Peers.
To know Matthew Stuart, is to know a humble young Utah family man bent on making positive
change for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
This past weekend Commander Stuart was elected by the VFW’s incoming Department Junior–Vice Commanders to be their Class Officer. With 54 Department Junior-Vice Commanders (One for every state, Puerto Rico, Europe, etc.) the posting represents his peers clear belief that Commander Stuart is a leader for the future—the vote was unanimous.
Typically, in VFW leadership this position rotates to the State Commander in two years, which would make Matthew Stuart, in 2011, the first Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom to become a Department Commander.
Commander Stuart said, “I am looking forward to rolling out an ambitious agenda that will build bridges between all conflicts of veterans, while looking to craft the VFW of the future. I know my fellow Commanders want to do something for younger veterans and I am looking forward to working with them.” He also said, “I would hope other Iraqi Veterans see that we can have a stake in the VFW’s decisions but only if we partake. Too many other veterans are getting distracted by mirage groups that pass themselves off as groups but are really only individuals with followers. Come, join the elite, and lead from the front—an email membership with youtube and flashy sit in your office participation isn’t going to get it done for us,” said Stuart. “We young veterans need community oriented organization, if we just become a New York based website operated by mostly non-veterans and dictated by one talking head we war veterans have lost a proud tradition,” Stuart stated.
However, Commander Stuart was adamant these groups success were due to traditional veterans’ group’s failure to close the generational gap, “The war for the hearts and minds of my generation of veteran is taking place in cyberspace. The VFW is losing this war because we are failing to make necessary changes and most of them cost very little. I hope to change this.” Stuart said.
Commander Stuart will likely hold the post for the next three years as his class rotates through the VFW’s Department chairs.
Popularity: 43% [?]
October 14, 2009 - 12:19 pm
Matthew Stuart, congratulations on being appointed to this position. I believe a new generation of war fighters like yourself will bring about the change needed to move the VFW in a direction that will focus on retaining our new generation of war veterans while maintaining a balance between our cherished past wars VWF members.
The change will need to be fundamental enough to restore and add value to the VWF in the eyes of our new generation of veterans. The VFW is in deer need of a new campaign that will talk to our generation of OEF/OIF veterans in terms we, as the new generation of veterans can understand, using social media platforms like Facebook, MySpace, Hi5, Twitter and an internal social network to reach those thousands of veterans who have become isolated and who may be in need of services the VFW can provide.
When we talk about our generation, one must remember that we are the generation of the internet, we are the generation of video games. We must not forget that it was service members like my U.S. Marine buddies, Army, Airman, Navy and other young service members who went and fought the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and whom while waiting for the next patrol or next mission played their Game Boy or Call of Duty on their Xbox.
We are a generation of social-economic transition, unemployment, living in one of the worst economic downturns of our nation, and only together, working towards a common ground, and targeting potential members with the right tools and the right message, only then will the VFW succeed in creating a new active young community of veterans.
The main reason why other groups are gaining momentum is because they understand our generation’s predicament, issues and problems, and mask themselves in a way that their message makes sense and is understood in “our” language, the VFW not only needs to emulate that message, but it needs to improve upon it and regain its status as the organization of war veterans.
Congratulations gain Matthew Stuart, , as an active member of the VFW myself, I look forward to a new, 21st century, technology and social media driven VWF, a new institution that will attract, retain and engage a new generation of active OEF/OIF veteran members.
October 15, 2009 - 6:32 pm
The very survival of the VFW rests in the capable hands of men such as Matt Stuart. WW2 and Korean War (like me) vets are passing away at an alarming rate. We need vibrant, alive vets who do more than sit around in the canteen soaking up alcohol. Right On! Matthew Stuart!!
October 21, 2009 - 6:33 pm
Congratulations Commander Stewart! I have had the pleasure and the privilege to work with Commander Stewart at the Veterans Affairs Administration. He has also been a great help with our fledgling student veteran’s group at the University of Utah. I feel that Commander Stewart will inspire many younger veterans to get involved with the VFW, continuing a legacy for a new generation.