Brian DeLong, Regional Coordinator – Pittsburgh for Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, has earned VFW All-State recognition in Pennsylvania and VFW All-American recognition through his work with VFW Post 764.
The two honors recognize achievement within the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the state and national levels. The All-American award recognizes Posts and Commanders that demonstrate excellence not only in membership growth, but also in their service to veterans, youth, and the broader community.
“This award is especially meaningful because it is not earned by one person alone. It represents the dedication and teamwork of the entire Post working together to serve veterans, youth, and our community,” said DeLong.
What Is the VFW All-American Award?
The VFW All-American Award recognizes Posts and Commanders for accomplishments across multiple areas of the organization. Earning All-American recognition reflects success in areas including membership, community service, youth activities, veteran support, and leadership.
There are 5,556 total VFW Posts, and only between 250 and 350 earn this award each year, according to Brian’s information.
For an individual Commander, earning All-American status recognizes leadership that helped a Post or District meet the program’s standards. Those selected are recognized at the VFW National Convention and may receive an All-American citation, cap, badge, and lapel pin. Top-performing Commanders receive additional national recognition.
“To me, being named All-American means that we have successfully served our veterans, engaged our community, and strengthened our organization. It is an honor that recognizes both achievement and leadership, and it is something that every VFW leader strives to attain. It truly means that VFW Post 764 is doing what a Post should do, not just operating a bar,” DeLong said.
From VFW All-State Recognition to All-American
Brian had already earned VFW All-State recognition for Pennsylvania before earning the All-American honor.
The All-State designation recognizes Posts that meet or exceed a variety of VFW requirements. Typical requirements include membership goals and recruiting, youth and community programs, Buddy Poppy activities, veteran support, administrative responsibilities, and participation in VFW meetings, training, and initiatives.
“Earning All-State recognition for Pennsylvania was a journey that required dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to serving veterans and our community. From the beginning of the year, our focus was on strengthening membership, supporting our veterans, expanding our community service efforts, and ensuring our Post remained active and engaged in VFW programs,” DeLong said.
The work involved maintaining a focus on membership while also supporting veterans, participating in community activities, completing youth programs, and keeping the Post engaged in VFW programs throughout the year.
What Brian Is Most Proud Of
While the All-State and All-American awards are meaningful achievements, Brian said the relationships developed and the work accomplished for veterans and the community stand out most from the past year.
“While earning All-State and All-American recognition is certainly an honor, I’m most proud of the relationships built and the difference we’ve made in the lives of veterans and our community. Seeing our Post members step up, volunteer their time, support youth programs, and work together toward common goals has been the most rewarding part of the journey. These achievements reflect the hard work of an entire team, and I’m proud to have been part of that success,” DeLong said.
Recognizing the Members of VFW Post 764
Brian credits the members of VFW Post 764 with helping make the recognition possible.
“First and foremost, I am grateful for the members of VFW Post 764, whose dedication, mentorship, and commitment to our mission inspired me to continually strive for excellence,” DeLong said.
He also gave special recognition to Dan Bench for the work he completed throughout the process.
“I would like to especially recognize and thank Dan Bench for his outstanding dedication and support throughout this process. Dan played a critical role in ensuring that all program requirements were completed accurately and submitted on time, helping us meet every deadline along the way. He also took on the lion’s share of the data entry and administrative work, often behind the scenes, to keep everything organized and moving forward. Achievements like this are never the result of one person’s efforts alone, and I am incredibly grateful for Dan’s commitment, hard work, and attention to detail. His contributions were instrumental in making this recognition possible,” DeLong said.
Support From Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
“I would also like to recognize my employer, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, for their unwavering support. Working alongside an organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and first responders has reinforced the values of service, leadership, and community involvement that are at the heart of the VFW,” DeLong said.
Brian also recognized Carol Borden, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, and Mary Jo Brandt, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, for supporting his involvement with the VFW.
“They have not only permitted me the time required to accomplish this goal, but have actually encouraged me to do so. They understand that my calling is to help others and they believe in what the VFW stands for,” DeLong said.
“Brian’s commitment to the VFW reflects the same spirit of service that he brings to Guardian Angels every day. We are incredibly proud of him for earning both All-State and All-American recognition, but even more importantly, we are proud of the work behind those honors—his dedication to veterans, his community, and the people he serves. Supporting Brian’s involvement with the VFW is a natural extension of our mission and our shared commitment to improving the lives of our nation’s veterans,” said Mary Jo Brandt, COO & CFO, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
Brian said the recognition reflects support from many different people in his life and work.
“This recognition is not the result of one person’s efforts alone. It reflects the support of my family, fellow VFW members, colleagues, mentors, and friends who have encouraged me every step of the way. I am deeply honored and grateful to share this achievement with all of them,” DeLong said.
Congratulations to Brian DeLong and VFW Post 764
Earning both VFW All-State and All-American recognition reflects the work completed by Brian and the members of VFW Post 764 throughout the year.
The All-American designation recognizes Posts and Commanders that successfully balance membership with participation in programs serving veterans, youth, and their communities. For Brian, both the state and national recognition are also reminders of how much teamwork goes into meeting those goals.
From the members of VFW Post 764 and Dan Bench’s behind-the-scenes work to the encouragement of family, colleagues, mentors, friends, and Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Brian has consistently credited the people around him for helping make these achievements possible.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs congratulates Brian DeLong and VFW Post 764 on earning VFW All-State and All-American recognition.
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