Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Senate President Pro Tempore
“VFW Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore”
Thursday, October 30, 2025
I’d like to recognize a fellow University of Northern Iowa Panther, Carol Whitmore of Des Moines, Iowa.
I recognize her for something more important than just being a fellow Panther.
She was elected in August as [the] 117th national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, “VFW” for short.
Now, here’s the significance of Carol’s election.
Carol is the first woman and the first Iowan to be elected as national commander of the VFW, and I had the pleasure of congratulating her in person during a meeting in my D.C. office here, recently.
After enlisting in the Women’s Army Corps in 1977, Carol served [in] our nation’s military for 36 years.
She was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a first sergeant for her unit and served as an Army nurse, becoming highly decorated.
In recognition of her dedicated years of service, she has received several awards and recognitions including, the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star, six Army Commendation Medals and the Army Achievement Medal.
In 2012, Carol joined the VFW at Post 9127 in Des Moines, Iowa, where she continues to serve her fellow veterans.
Carol represents the best of Iowa and the best of our veterans. Our veterans will be well served at the national level [by] her advocacy and her commitment to service.
Besides commending her, I want to commend all of the men and women who are now serving in the military, and those who have served, for protecting Americans’ freedom and liberty.
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