John Keene for VFW Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Designee

07/25/2026

Since, due to time constraints, there will not be any candidate speeches at the from the five candidates running for the VFW Western Conference designee, I’m posting a link to my remarks on Substack.

An address on stewardship, delegate independence, and aligning tradition with mission.

07/02/2026

"The VFW has never apologized for forcefully defending veterans and we are not about to start now.” - VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore

Since its introduction in the fall of 2025, the firing squad illustration has become a recognizable symbol of the VFW's ongoing Honor The Contract campaign and was presented to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs during VFW testimony last October. https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2026/7/vfw-defends-longstanding-tradition-of-political-satire-while-opposing-cuts

06/01/2026

As a candidate for VFW Western Conference Designee, I believe accountability starts with data. My latest piece breaks down why membership tracking isn't just an admin task — it's a leadership issue.

https://open.substack.com/pub/candidatekeene/p/the-importance-of-tracking-membership?r=1neit3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

05/15/2026

Before joining the Chicago Police Department, I began my law enforcement career in the suburbs, in the shadow of the only Lansing Illinois Police Department officer to be killed in the line of duty. RIP Officer Kenneth "Kenny" Novak Jr. EOW 04/08/1992

On this Peace Officers Memorial Day, we pause to honor all those at the local, state and federal levels who’ve sacrificed greatly for us in the line of duty.

04/18/2026

The Swag Store is Open

https://candidate-keene.myshopify.com/

03/26/2026

A Substack building on my belief that every VFW Post is a small business.

https://open.substack.com/pub/candidatekeene/p/why-the-vfw-should-run-like-a-franchise?r=1neit3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

03/24/2026

In addition to an early warning system, the franchise model also offers standardized systems (i.e., POS, CRM), often at a discount rate. But that's a topic for a later Substack post.

After all, every Post is "Independently Owned and Operated"

03/23/2026

Use the new VFW tool to get in touch with our accredited Veteran Service Officer:

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03/12/2026