Post 605 Commander Elected to Lead the Department of Europe

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, GERMANY (June 19, 2023) – Mark Primmer of Paris, France, was elected Sunday as department commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Department of Europe. He was installed by Past VFW Commander-in-Chief Paul Spera, and will lead the 15,000+ combat veterans of the European VFW for the next year.

Primmer has previously served as senior vice commander at the department level. He is also the past commander of Benjamin Franklin Post 605 in Paris, France. A former Naval Flight Officer, he has over 25 years experience in both public and private enterprises, and is currently a Communications Consultant and professional Photographer, also in Paris.

He succeeds Angelo Aldridge of Vilseck, Germany, who has served in the position since 2022. Primmer’s term will expire in 2024.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With approximately 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim "NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs.