Nine-time Greenville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7262 Commander Don Dietrich earns two VFW state awards
GREENVILLE – Don Dietrich was presented two awards by the VFW Department of Ohio for outstanding service as a recruiter for Greenville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7262 at the annual State VFW Convention held in Sandusky, OH.
“Veterans are always serving Veterans and that is one reason I am proud of the VFW because I look at our emblem – it means something to me,” said Dietrich. “It is always recognizable, where ever you go you see that VFW emblem.”
Dietrich received Outstanding Recruiter of the Year for being the top recruiter in Ohio which reads: Thank you for recruiting new members this year. Recruiting new members for our Post and mentoring them along the way will insure the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Largest Combat Veterans Organizations in the world will be successful completing its many years to come.
Dietrich also received Recruiter of the Year recruiting the most members in Ohio that states: In Recognition of Exceptional Service and Outstanding Recruiting Efforts Having Signed 31 New / Reinstated Members 2021-2011.
A 1964 Franklin Monroe graduate, Dietrich joined the Marine Corps in 1966 turning 20 while in Vietnam and first joined Arcanum VFW Post 4161 before moving to Greenville.
“You have to be diligent, check with people that haven’t paid their dues in a year or two, call them up and ask them if they want to remain a member and kindly remind them if they stay a member what we offer to them, not just necessarily here but all over the United States – they still have privileges to go into any VFW in the United States,” Dietrich said of his recognition as the top recruiter in the state.
VFW awards are not new to Dietrich having been named 2005 All-State All-American Commander and recently received the Outstanding Community Service Award. To attain All-American Commander status the post must have increased membership and met all of the National VFW programs requirements.
Dietrich is currently Post 7262 Adjutant, a post he has held since 2016 and is a nine time Greenville VFW Post 7262 Commander. He has also held several VFW District 3 positions including Youth Activities Chairman and Community Service Chairman.
“A lot of people don’t realize the help the VFW can offer and does offer – scholarships, just little things people don’t know about,” Dietrich noted. “People think we are a bar but you can operate a VFW without a canteen. Many people have the perspective that we are just a cheap place to drink and that is not true if you are a true VFW member.”
Dietrich served 19 years with the Darke County Veterans Services Commission.
