ROCKY HILL, CONN. (July 8, 2026)–The Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States had an exceptional membership year, with 54 of 80 Posts, all six districts, and the Department achieving All-American status for 2025-2026 and finishing with a repeat 102% Department membership record.
The All-American program recognizes leadership, teamwork and accomplishment in membership growth and VFW programs. It is widely considered the pinnacle achievement for a VFW Post Commander.
Past VFW Department of Connecticut Commander Charles M. Pickett (2025-2026) attributed the Department’s success to hard work by leaders at all levels of the organization, exceptional support from Department Adjutant/Quartermaster Domenic Guiliano, and making All-American Post achievement a priority goal.
Pickett said, “My goal was to help every post achieve excellence and growth in membership in preparation for America’s 250th anniversary, considering it is a once-in-a-generation event.” VFW Connecticut launched a 2026 Spring Membership Drive, featuring two major incentives tied to the United States Semiquincentennial.
Most All-American Posts by Percentage in the Nation
This year, VFW Connecticut had the third-most All-American Posts by percentage in the organization–but led all of the United States.
- Pacific Areas (21 of 27 for 77.7%)
- Europe (10 of 14 for 71.4%)
- Connecticut (54 of 80 for 67.5%)
- Hawaii (13 of 20 for 65%)
- Maryland (38 of 63 for 60.3%)
2025-2026 VFW Connecticut All-American Posts
- 149 Danbury
- 399 Westport
- 603 Norwalk
- 9460 Stratford
- 10059 Trumbull
- 10201 Brookfield
- 201 Waterbury
- 591 Wallingford
- 1607 Southbury
- 2096 Madison
- 7666 Guilford
- 7788 Milford
- 9422 West Haven
- 9965 Yalesville
- 10052 Cheshire
- 10321 Hamden
- 12106 Branford
- 12150 New Haven
- 511 New Britain
- 1926 Simsbury
- 2046 Manchester
- 2083 East Hartford
- 2138 Rocky Hill
- 3272 Avon
- 4740 Windsor
- 6123 Windsor Locks
- 10589 Coventry
- 10732 Berlin
- 189 New London
- 594 Norwich
- 1265 Pawcatuck
- 1467 Old Lyme
- 1523 Putnam
- 2212 Taftville
- 4608 Ledyard
- 5446 Plainfield
- 5849 Niantic
- 9452 Preston
- 10004 Jewett City
- 10088 Thompson
- 10688 Canterbury
- 296 Winsted
- 572 Thomaston
- 1672 New Milford
- 5157 Watertown
- 6851 Canaan
- 7330 Oakville
- 9243 Lakeville
- 583 Middletown
- 3336 East Haddam
- 5095 East Hampton
- 6121 Portland
- 9918 Clinton
- 10690 Higganum
List of 2025-2026 Leading and Eastern Conference Departments Percentage of Posts Achieving All-American
- Pacific Areas (21 of 27 for 77.7%)
- Europe (10 of 14 for 71.4%)
- Connecticut (54 of 80 for 67.5%)
- Hawaii (13 of 20 for 65%)
- Maryland (38 of 63 for 60.3%)
- — Eastern Conference Departments–
- Delaware (6 of 16 for 37.5%)
- Vermont (5 of 19 for 26.31%)
- Maine (8 of 39 for 20.5%)
- New Jersey (31 of 173 for 17.9%)
- Massachusetts (17 of 138 for 12.3%)
- Rhode Island (3 of 20 for 15%)
- New Hampshire (4 of 36 for 11.1%)
- Pennsylvania (43 of 437 for 9.8%)
- New York (24 of 319 for 7.5%)
- –Others–
- Florida (67 of 157 for 42.7%)
- Missouri (64 of 165 for 38.8%)
- California (91 of 239 for 38%)
- Texas (88 of 282 for 29%)
List of Past VFWCT Department Membership
| Year | Commander | Membership % | All-American |
| 2015-16 | Robert Bailey | 95% | |
| 2016-17 | John Schmidt | 95% | |
| 2017-18 | Robert Priest | 97% | |
| 2018-19 | Jim Delancy | 100.29% | |
| 2019-2020 | David Green | 93% | 1 of 93 for 1% |
| 2020-2021 | Ken Hartline | 95% | 3 of 90 for 3.3% |
| 2021-2022 | — | 94% | 6 of 86 for 7% |
| 2022-2023 | Mario Richards | 100.83% | 7 of 84 for 8.3% |
| 2023-24 | Richard DiFederico | 100.17% | 5 of 82 for for 6% |
| 2024-25 | Stanley W. Borusiewicz Jr., | 102.6% | 35 of 81 for 43% |
| 2025-20 | Charles M. Pickett | 102.07% | 54 of 80 for 67.5% |
2020-21: 12150 New Haven 128%; 5849 Niantic 102.16%; 4608 Ledyard 100%
