HARRISBURG — In a ceremony Friday at the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars State Headquarters, the new Pennsylvania State VFW Commander Ronald J. Peters was inducted into service.

Peters was originally from Olean, N.Y., and is currently a resident of Bradford.

Previously Peters served as the Pennsylvania Senior Vice Commander.

Peters served in the U.S. Army on active duty for 12 years, including serving as an armored cavalryman in Vietnam, eventually becoming a track commander. He later served as a drill sergeant at Fort Dix, N.Y., for three years and a recruiter in Olean for six years.

Peters noted the devastating blow that COVID-19 has had on the small VFW posts across the state.

“Like any combat veteran we just need to adapt and overcome,” said Peters. “We must accomplish our mission of serving veterans, their families and our communities.”

One of the first official acts Peters made was to send a letter on behalf of the state VFW urging Gov. Tom Wolf to support any assistance to the VFW.

“With nearly 65,000 members, Pennsylvania has the largest VFW membership in the nation,” Peters wrote. “With nearly 400 posts across the state some struggle to stay open in the best of times.”

Peters also noted the veteran’s outreach and services that the VFW provides to get veterans benefits and assistance.

“I am so honored and humbled to lead our great department,’ said Peters. “God bless all of you. Now let’s go to work.”