NATCHEZ &8212; Donald Verucchi takes a high honor with him as he steps down as commander of the Mississippi Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Verucchi was chosen an All- American State Commander, affirming that his year in office was a productive one.

&8220;I&8217;m awfully proud to have earned that honor,&8221; Verucchi said Tuesday. &8220;We have a list of goals and objectives as state commanders, and this honor comes based on how well you accomplish those goals.&8221;

VFW National Commander James R. Mueller praised Verucchi as an outstanding state leader.

&8220;This prestigious honor is earned through exceptional performance in advancing VFW membership as well as actively participating in at least five of the VFW&8217;s core programs,&8221; Mueller said.

Verucchi made a plan about 10 years ago to reach the highest state position in the VFW, and he made it after years of working and moving up the ladder.

As commander, he is in charge of recruiting new members and keeping the organization alive.

&8220;I also have to make sure our state is represented in the Voice of Democracy contest,&8221; he said. &8220;This year, we had a third-place national winner from Laurel.&8221;

The VFW exists to help veterans and their families get entitlements and other services as well as to work for men and women who are actively serving in the military or in the National Guard and Reserve.

Soon after Hurricane Katrina blew across the Mississippi Gulf Coast in late August 2005, Verucchi faced a huge challenge.

VFW organizations lay in ruins. &8220;Seven were completely washed away. At one, all that remained was a bent flagpole and a pile or rubble,&8221; he said.

The aftermath of the hurricane gave him doubts he could fulfill all his goals for the year. Veterans on the Gulf Coast needed his help.

As it turned out, helping on the coast was among his most rewarding work of the year.

&8220;First, I called Jim Mueller, my superior, in Missouri and told him we needed to get to the coast to give folks some cash relief.&8221;

The national organization quickly responded with $50,000 as a first effort. &8220;I was real nervous going down there with all that cash,&8221; he said.

That was only the beginning. More than $600,000 has been raised for Mississippi veterans&8217; relief, Verucchi said.

He thinks one reason he is receiving the award is because of post-Katrina work. &8220;A lot of good came out of that storm. Everyone pitched in to help. I just happened to be the commander this year.&8221;

He and his wife, Carolyn, will attend the national convention later this month, where he has been told the All Americans will spend time with either President Bush or Vice President Cheney. One is expected to speak at the convention.

In addition, Carolyn Verucchi, who was president of the state VFW Auxiliary during the past year while her husband was VFW commander, has been nominated for auxiliary president of the year. The winner will be announced at the convention.