AMVETS ELECTS NEW NATIONAL COMMANDER

At 65th national convention in New Orleans, AMVETS members from across the country select Air Force veteran Duane J. Miskulin to lead organization for 2009-2010.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2009—At the recent 65th annual AMVETS National Convention in New Orleans, U.S. Air Force veteran Duane J. Miskulin, a life member of Stevens Point AMVETS Post No. 1051 and a prominent veterans’ advocate in Wisconsin, was elected to serve as national commander of AMVETS for 2009-2010. AMVETS is one of the nation’s largest and most inclusive veterans service organizations, with membership open to anyone who has served honorably in the U.S. military, including those who continue to serve.  

"It is an honor for me to accept this position as AMVETS national commander, and I look forward to continuing my service to the veterans’ community when I take my post on Sept. 1,” Miskulin said. “I have always been proud of my work with AMVETS at all levels of the organization, and I look forward to serving my fellow veterans on the national stage.”

As national commander, Miskulin will be responsible for the operation of AMVETS from the top down. AMVETS past national commanders have served as the voice of the organization and chief diplomat for AMVETS members on Capitol Hill in Washington and around the world.

Over the years, AMVETS national commanders have visited with troops serving overseas in places like Iraq and Korea, and visited with allied forces in Europe and East Asia. AMVETS national commander also travels the country throughout the one-year term, visiting with AMVETS in the field who make a difference every day for the veterans in their communities.

In a recent interview, Miskulin said the top priority for his term as national commander would be addressing veterans’ mental health issues and the growing specter of traumatic brain injuries, with which veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to cope. Miskulin also hopes to continue pushing for advance VA funding and improved education and transition assistance for all veterans.

“We have a new generation of veterans coming home and AMVETS must see to it that they are taken care of,” Miskulin said. “Past generations were forced to bear the burden of their experiences alone—an embarrassment for this country, which we continue to make amends for to this very day. It is the duty of AMVETS to ensure that our veterans are treated with the dignity and honor that they have earned.”

Miskulin, who joined AMVETS nearly 20 years ago, has held leadership roles at the post, department and national levels. Most recently, Miskulin completed a term as national first vice-commander. He has served on numerous state committees in Wisconsin and received a variety of awards from AMVETS including the New Post Award, Convention Board Award, Membership Award, and State Fundraiser of the Year. Miskulin was AMVETS National Department Commander of the year in 2005, Department AMVET of the Year in 1999, and District Commander of the Year in 2004.

Miskulin served in the Air Force from 1960 to 1966. During his time in the military, Miskulin was stationed in Ankara, Turkey with the 36350th Communication Squadron. After leaving the military, Miskulin continued his work in telecommunications with AT&T in Skokie, Ill., then MidGuld Corp., where he installed communications equipment in Lebanon and across the Middle East. He retired in 1990 as an engineering manager with Krafts Co. in Schiller Park, Ill.
About AMVETS:    
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.