BJ Lawrence

BJ Lawrence was elected for the year 2018 to be the National Commander of the VFW, one of the oldest Veteran service organizations in the U.S. Lawrence is an Army Veteran who served in South Korea from 1983-1986. The VFW provides numerous services to Veterans and their families, and BJ has been with the organization for more than 19 years, filling leadership roles at all levels of the organization. BJ himself has testified before Congress on many issues, including leading the push to get Blue Water Vietnam Navy Veterans the benefits they have earned for service in Vietnam. Many of these Veterans are facing severe medical problems related to exposure to Agent Orange, and the VFW, in coordination with other VSO’s, was instrumental in getting medical benefits for them. BJ also was instrumental in working with the VA to roll out the implementation of the VA MISSION Act of 2018, which allowed Veterans to access medical care if they live in underserved communities.