Chaplain of the Year Award

Department of Washington, Reverend Thomas Darling - Past National and State Chaplain of the Year Award

The following criteria will constitute the basis for nominations, and a proposed procedure and timeline to receive nominations for this award.

Chaplain of the Year Criteria

1. Performance of Duties:

A. Exemplary character and conduct: e.g., A person of upmost integrity, professional execution of duties, dependability, punctuality, and timely submission of reports, etc.

B. Exemplary performance above and beyond the normal expectations of the position and duties.

2. Personal attitude which is positive and professional in all contacts with others and which represents the VFW and the Department in the best possible way.

3. Commitment to the ministry and duties of the Chaplain, as reflected by service to comrades and their families and responsiveness to needs.

4. A member of the VFW in good standing with the Post, District, and Department.

Review Committee Composition and Instructions

1. A committee assembled by the State Chaplain will review nominations for the award and recommend a recipient.

2. The committee shall include:

A. The State Chaplain

B. A State Line Officer

C. The most recent past recipient of the Chaplain of the Year Award.

3. Instructions to the Committee

A. The committee shall follow procedures and criteria as outlined in this document. However, if no candidates are nominated or judged by the committee to meet the criteria for Chaplain of the Year, the committee shall not recommend a recipient.

B. All proceedings of the committee must be kept strictly confidential.

C. The State Chaplain will review with the State Commander and the State Adjutant the recommendation for Chaplain of the Year prior to announcing the award recipient.

Procedure

The following procedure is recommended for receiving and reviewing nominations:

1. The State Chaplain will email information concerning the Chaplain of the Year Award and begin to solicit nominations from District Chaplains, Commanders, and Adjutants, beginning in October.

2. Nominations from Posts and Districts should be forwarded to the State Chaplain.

3. All nominations should be submitted to the State Chaplain by April 1. Nomination letters should be emailed, or sent USPS to the State Chaplain. Contact information is listed below.

4. A nomination shall address the above criteria and shall not exceed two type written pages and must include the hat size of the nominee.

5. The committee shall review each nomination according to the selected criteria and recommend a recipient by April 30th.

6. The Chaplain of the Year Award will be presented at the recipient’s Department Convention.

7. The State Chaplain will notify the respective District and Post, and if feasible, request attendance to present the award.

8. Upon evaluation and approval, the State Chaplain, will send the awardee nomination to the National Chaplain for consideration of the National Chaplain of the Year Award.

Chappy (Dale A. Iannello B.th, M.B.S.)

State Chaplain, 2025-2026

Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Washington, Reverend Thomas Darling - Past National and State Chaplain Chaplain of the Year Award