American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
| January 6, 2009 WVOX 1460 AM WVOX.com Good Morning Westchester Sons of the American Legion Radio Report Special Edition Host: Bob Marrone Produced by Ken Kraetzer Segment Guest: Steve Smithson Deputy Director Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation The American Legion Headquarters Staff |
The "Sons of the American Legion Radio Report" can be heard live on WVOX
1460 AM in Westchester County and around the world on WVOX.com. The show
is broadcast every Monday from 2:30 to 3:00 PM.
The host of the program is Kenneth G. Kraetzer, Commander of Sons of the
American Legion in Pelham, NY; SAL Historian for Westchester County, and Vice
Commander for New York State. Please contact Ken at 914-450-9554 with any
questions or comments about this radio and Internet production.
The intro music, "To The Colors" has been provided courtesy of the US Navy
band based at Newport, RI.
The co-host on this segment was John Chuhran, a New Rochelle based PR
executive and Sons of the American Legion member.
We would like to thank WVOX for making this broadcast possible, the many
military Public Affairs Officers, and the national Public Relation staff of the
American Legion who are assisting us to tell the story of the military and veterans.
Ken Kraetzer, Bob Marrone, and John Chuhran after hosting WVOX Sons
of the American Legion Thanksgiving Radio Show featuring calls from
deployed soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
of the American Legion Thanksgiving Radio Show featuring calls from
deployed soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
STEVE SMITHSON
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR
THE AMERICAN LEGION
NATIONAL VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION (VA&R) COMMISSION
Mr. Smithson has been a member of the Legion’s national VA&R staff since January 1996,
starting out as an appeals representative in the Appeals and Special Claims Unit located at
the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) in Washington, D.C. He was appointed team
leader in September 1997 and also supervised the Legion’s Veterans Law Internship
Program. As a team leader and intern supervisor, Mr. Smithson was responsible for the
training and supervision of three appeals representatives as well as on site supervision of
the internship program. In July 2000, he was appointed assistant director of the Legion’s
Gulf War Task Force. As assistant director for the Task Force, Mr. Smithson was
responsible for the Legion’s Gulf War programs and outreach. In January 2005, Mr.
Smithson was appointed deputy director for claims services. As deputy director for claims
services, he was responsible for all matters involving the Department of Veterans Affairs’
Veterans Benefits Administration. In September 2009, Mr. Smithson was appointed to his
current position as principal deputy director of the VA&R Division and is responsible for
assisting the division director with the daily operation of the division. Mr. Smithson also
serves on the Department of Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War
Veterans’ Illnesses.
Mr. Smithson was a non-commissioned officer (NCO) and field radio operator in the United
States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1992, including a seven-month tour in Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War.
He attended Northern Michigan University immediately upon discharge from the service,
graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. He is a member of
American Legion Post # 50 in Iron Mountain, Michigan, and currently resides in King
George, Virginia.
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR
THE AMERICAN LEGION
NATIONAL VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION (VA&R) COMMISSION
Mr. Smithson has been a member of the Legion’s national VA&R staff since January 1996,
starting out as an appeals representative in the Appeals and Special Claims Unit located at
the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) in Washington, D.C. He was appointed team
leader in September 1997 and also supervised the Legion’s Veterans Law Internship
Program. As a team leader and intern supervisor, Mr. Smithson was responsible for the
training and supervision of three appeals representatives as well as on site supervision of
the internship program. In July 2000, he was appointed assistant director of the Legion’s
Gulf War Task Force. As assistant director for the Task Force, Mr. Smithson was
responsible for the Legion’s Gulf War programs and outreach. In January 2005, Mr.
Smithson was appointed deputy director for claims services. As deputy director for claims
services, he was responsible for all matters involving the Department of Veterans Affairs’
Veterans Benefits Administration. In September 2009, Mr. Smithson was appointed to his
current position as principal deputy director of the VA&R Division and is responsible for
assisting the division director with the daily operation of the division. Mr. Smithson also
serves on the Department of Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War
Veterans’ Illnesses.
Mr. Smithson was a non-commissioned officer (NCO) and field radio operator in the United
States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1992, including a seven-month tour in Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War.
He attended Northern Michigan University immediately upon discharge from the service,
graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. He is a member of
American Legion Post # 50 in Iron Mountain, Michigan, and currently resides in King
George, Virginia.
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