Todd L Hokanson
Board Member
1SG(R) Todd Hokanson, originally from Coldwater, Kansas, has led a life defined by service to his country, community, and fellow veterans. Born to missionary parents serving in Ethiopia and Kenya from 1970 to 1976, he was raised with a strong sense of purpose and compassion. His family settled in Coldwater, where his father became the pastor at Calvary Baptist Church. Hokanson graduated from Coldwater High School in 1987, then earned an Associate’s Degree in Police Science from Garden City Community College in 1989.
Hokanson is a dedicated family man. He has been married to his wife, Michel, for 33 years. They have three children—Ethan (married to Jordan Polster), Aleta (married to Caleb Mundt), and Seth. The Hokanson’s are eagerly awaiting their first grandchild in November 2025.
Hokanson began his military journey in June 1986 with the Kansas Army National Guard as a 13B Field Artilleryman. In July 1989, he transitioned to Active Duty in the U.S. Army, serving four years in Field Artillery and 17 years as a Military Policeman. Rising through the ranks from Private First Class to First Sergeant, he held numerous leadership roles including Platoon Sergeant, Company First Sergeant, and Battalion Operations Sergeant. Over his 24 years of combined service, Hokanson was stationed in the U.S., Germany, Korea, and the Middle East. His deployments included Operation Desert Storm with the 82nd Airborne Division, Operation Joint Guard in Bosnia, and Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 1st Marine Division.
He retired in April 2010, highly decorated with awards such as the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, and many others. He is a recipient of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Medallion and proudly wears several foreign and U.S. badges, including the Senior Parachutist Badge and Drill Sergeant Badge.
Hokanson’s commitment to service continued through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He earned his eligibility during Operation Desert Storm and became a Life Member of VFW Post 10436 in Kitzingen, Germany 1995. After a demanding military career, he re-engaged with the VFW in 2005, transferring to Post 3279 in Abilene, Kansas. He served in several leadership roles, including Post Commander from 2013 to 2018. Under his leadership, the post grew from 62 to over 200 members, reinvigorated community engagement, and was recognized as All-State Post and All-American Post for two consecutive years—achievements never before reached in the post’s history.
He continued his leadership by serving as District Commander of District 4 in Kansas and was elected Junior Vice Commander for the Department of Kansas. Though a career move to Amarillo, Texas, redirected his path before he had the opportunity to become State Commander, his service did not stop.
In Texas, Hokanson joined VFW Post 430 in Canyon, serving as Senior Vice Commander from July 2022 to November 2023 and then became Post Commander in November 2023. He was re-elected for the 2024–2025 term. Under his leadership, Post 430 achieved All-State and All-American status for the first time, and is getting ready to repeat the feat for a second consecutive year. His vision and teamwork have made the Canyon post a model of excellence, with efforts underway to establish a VFW Auxiliary to support further veterans and their families in Canyon and Randall County.
1SG(R) Hokanson exemplifies what it means to serve with honor, lead with integrity, and give back purposefully—whether in uniform or the community.