Leadership from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Georgia made a visit to Tuskegee University and to the adjacent VA Medical Center in Tuskegee, Alabama, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. State Commander Joe Couch was accompanied by State Judge Advocate Sherrod Conyers and State Chief of Staff Wayne Collins. During their visit to the Tuskegee campus, Georgia VFW State Judge Advocate Conyers, an alum of Tuskegee University, secured a meeting with University President and CEO, Dr. Mark A. Brown. Dr. Brown, a retired Major General in the Air Force, was recently appointed as the 10th President and CEO of the highly esteemed university on July 1, 2024.
While on campus, Georgia VFW learned more about the 300-acre parcel of land that was donated by the university houses the Central Alabama Veterans Affairs Medical Center. To date, over 178 acres has been utilized for the world-class medical facility, serving veterans from across Alabama and Georgia.
During the visit, Georgia VFW leaders were able to discuss some of today’s growing priorities surrounding healthcare for veterans. This included productive conversations about enhancing access to quality healthcare for veterans, especially for those veterans in rural areas and the support systems required to help veterans transition out of uniform and back into civilian roles in our communities. State Commander Couch personally thanked Dr Brown for his and his institution’s commitment to the VA Medical Center and for his long and decorated military service. As conversations continued about military and veteran experiences, Commander Couch realized that Dr. Brown, eligible from military deployments overseas to include Iraq, had not yet joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Before departing, Commander Couch signed him up as a Life Member and reassured him that the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Georgia supports Tuskegee University and their ROTC programs.
