A FAMILY OF FIRSTS R


hode Island is home to husband and wife VFW Auxiliary and VFW leadership team Stephen and GinaMarie Doherty. But this program year, there is something


diff erent about this state’s Department President and State Commander. Stephen is the Auxiliary’s fi rst-ever male Department President, a role he stepped into following the untimely passing of Rhode Island’s Department President, Karyn Faircloth, in August of last year. GinaMarie is Rhode Island’s fi rst female


State Commander. Her journey to Rhode Island’s highest offi ce followed the traditional 5-year trajectory, and she joins four other female VFW State Commanders serving this year. Stephen and GinaMarie are a family of veterans


Top: GinaMarie and Stephen Doherty of Rhode Island. Stephen LV WKH $X[LOLDU\·V À UVW HYHU PDOH 'HSDUWPHQW 3UHVLGHQW +LV ZLIH *LQD0DULH LV 5KRGH ,VODQG·V À UVW IHPDOH 9): 6WDWH &RPPDQGHU $ERYH 6WHSKHQ 'RKHUW\ LV HVFRUWHG E\ 'RWWLH ,UYLQJ DQG &KULVWLQH %HJLQ GXULQJ WKH SUHVHQWDWLRQ RI WKH )ODJV DW 1DWLRQDO &RQYHQWLRQ last July.


10 | VFW Auxiliary Magazine


supporting veterans. T e two met as Navy shipmates in the early 1990s. Stephen credits his wife with inspiring him to join the Auxiliary. Both belong to Post and Auxiliary 5390. “Even though I proudly served in the U.S.


Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1995, I was not eligible to join the VFW,” he said. “GinaMarie


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