[VFWPA Commander Bill Roland is campaigning for 2026-2027 National Surgeon General from the Eastern Conference. Pickett]
Bill served twenty-six (26) years in the military in the active and reserves, Nine (9) years (Active) in the U.S. Navy as a Boatswain Mate Second Class discharged in 1977 with an Honourable Discharge. He also served in the U.S. Army (Reserve and Active) retiring in 2011 as the Executive Officer of the 339th Combat Support Hospital. Bill was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Kosovo campaign 1 Bronze Star, NATO Kosovo Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Army Accommodation Medal, among numerous other ribbons and awards. Bill earned his eligibility for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kosovo. While deployed to Kosovo, He served as the OIC that conducted missions that treated over 7,000 residents for medical, dental, ophthalmology, and pharmacy needs. Also provided medical instruction for high school students that determine healthcare is their desired career path.
On the Department level, Bill served as PA Department Commander 2025 – 2026, Department Senior Vice Commander 2024 – 2025, Department Junior Vice Commander 2023 – 2024. Department Surgeon 2020 – 2021 and 2021 – 2022 and was awarded National Surgeon Award. Bill also served as Department Veterans Court Chairman 2020 – 2021 and 2021 – 2022.
On the District level. Bill served as Commander 2017 – 2018 and 2018 – 2019 achieving All American and Department Outstanding District Commander. Also served as the Junior Vice and Senior Vice.
On the Post level, Bill Served as Commander, Senior Vice, Junior Vice, Quartermaster, Surgeon, and Service Officer. Bill has been appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania to the Board of Advisor the Southwestern Veterans Home in Pittsburgh, PA and also a member of the Governors Agent Orange and Burn Pit Advisory Council. Bill has membership in the VFW (Life Member), AMVETS (Life Member), Military Officers of America Association (Life Member). Cooties, National Home (Life Member), American Legion. A strong believer in community service, Bill held instruction for scouts for treatment of injuries, served sixteen years (16) on Borough Council (8 as President), volunteered as Athletic Director for a local Catholic School (13 Years) Bill is married to his wife Magg and they have three (3) children. After discharge from the Navy Bill worked in the U.S. Steel plant in Braddock, PA. When his job was eliminated, Bill enrolled in Nursing school earning a Bachelor Degree from Carlow University. He also earned an Associate Degree in Surgical Technology, Nursing, and General Studies. For thirty-five (35) years, Bill worked as an operating room nurse in the military as well as the civilian community. Become proficient scrubbing in liver and kidney transplant, trauma, orthopaedic, general, and vascular surgery. Bill ended his career as a Surgical Service Manager. Bill also served as an intensive care nurse while deployed when needed to help staffing.
Endorsed by the Department of Pennsylvania