Roy Grona

Secretary

Roy J. Grona, a Gold Legacy Life Member of Golding-Meadows VFW Post 1475, Amarillo, served as the State Adjutant/Quartermaster for 12 years, only the 5h person to hold that office in the 100 year history of the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), a 501c(19) and the largest non-profit veterans organization in Texas.

Grona served in the U.S. Army as an infantry soldier and as a Recruiter and Retention NCO retiring from the Army after twenty years as a Master Sergeant. His overseas tours took him to Germany and Belgium culminating with his service with the 2 12h Field Artillery Brigade during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Liberation of Kuwait Medal. After retirement Grona worked as the Manager for his family farm/ranch operations and as the Facility Manager for the Amarillo Tri-State Fair and

Exposition.

Joining the VFW 1997, he served in many positions within his Post and District. As the District 9 Commander, Grona earned the title of Captain of the All-State team of District Commanders. He was recognized as an HonorRoll DistrictCommander.HewastherecipientoftheprestigiousDepartmentofTexas J.T. Rutherford Award (2001-2002). In 2002 Grona was hired to serve as the State Assistant Adjutant for the Texas VFW. In 2006, Grona was chosen and appointed as the Texas VFW State Adjutant Quartermaster, retiring from that position in 2018. During his tenure Grona served as the first Chairperson for the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans Assistance directing the efforts in the Texas Legislature to approve the First ever Texas Lottery Scratch Ticket for veteran assistance. Since its start, the fund has provided over 210 million dollars in assistance to Texas Veterans and continues to this day. Grona also was instrumental in passing the new Hazlewood Act which allows veterans to pass on their earned college benefits in Texas to their children as well

as the 100% disabled veterans tax exemption allowing veterans and their surviving spouses to forgo paying property taxes in Texas. During his time, he also served as the Executive Director of the Texas VFW Foundation, a 501c(3) Charitable Foundation which has provided over six million dollars in veterans aid and assistance.

Comrade Grona has served on numerous committees at the National level, including Finance and Internal Organization, Community Service, Citizenship Education, National Veterans Service, the National Awards

and Citations Committee and as the first Chairperson of the National Military Assistance Program.

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Roy and his wife Sandra live in Amarillo, Texas where he continues his service to veterans and the VFW at his local VFW Post.