Dutch DeGroot
Service Officer - Army

 


Dutch earned his eligibility for the Veterans of Foreign Wars through service in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, including deployment to Vietnam. He later continued his military career in the U.S. Air Force, serving in Operation Provide Comfort and deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He retired from the military in 2007 after spanning five decades of honorable service and has received numerous awards and decorations.

A VFW Gold Life Legacy Member, Dutch serves as a Service Officer at the Post level, with over 20 years of experience. At the Department level, he has served as Past Department Photographer, Past Legislative Chairman, and Past Assistant Military & Veterans Support Director. His national recognition includes service as National Deputy Chief of Staff (2021–2022), National Aide-de-Camp (2019–2020 and 2022–2023), and appointment to the VFW National Security & Foreign Affairs Committee (2020) and the National Veterans Service Resolutions Committee (2021). He was named VFW Department of Illinois Member of the Year for 2020–2021 and was recently honored as the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Foundation 2024 Veteran of the Year. A Past District Service Officer for many years. 

Dutch currently serves as the delegate representing the VFW Department of Illinois to the Illinois Veterans Advisory Council and is the 2nd Vice President of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County.

Dutch is also an active member in other Military Organizations besides the VFW. Life member VFW National Home, Past National Commander, Americal (23rd Infantry) Division Veterans Association; 440th Air Wing Alumni; American Legion; AMVETS; Military Order of the World Wars; Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America; and Life Member, DAV. He is also a volunteer for ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve).

He resides in Mount Prospect with his wife of 54 years, Jan. They have three sons and nine grandchildren.