Loren E. Drivdahl was elected State Junior Vice Commander of the Department of Montana, Veterans of Foreign Wars, on June 20, 2026, at the Department Convention in Miles City, Montana.

Loren served in the U.S. Navy Reserve Seabees from 1986 until his retirement in 2008. He earned his VFW eligibility through his deployment to Iraq in 2006 in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom under the command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. Serving as a Petty Officer First Class at Al Asad, Iraq, Loren was responsible for the carpentry shop, where he and his personnel constructed heavy-timber guard towers, converted CONEX containers into living quarters, built Southwest Asia huts for Marines, and completed other construction projects. His military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Loren joined VFW Post 1703 in Lewistown, Montana, where he has served in numerous leadership positions. After beginning his Post leadership service as Junior Vice Commander and progressing through the chairs, he went on to serve approximately ten years as Post Commander. During his tenure, he earned recognition as an All-American Post Commander. Loren is also a Gold Legacy Life Member of the VFW.

At the Department level, Loren has served as Teacher of the Year Chairman and Patriot’s Pen Chairman. He also served four years as District 2 Commander and, with the efforts of the Posts throughout the district, twice earned recognition as an All-American District Commander. His service as District Commander also included four years on the Department of Montana Council of Administration.

Loren earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Montana College and spent 25 years as a high school and junior high industrial arts teacher.

Loren and his wife, Kimberley, have been married for more than 30 years and raised three children. Their daughter, Ember, serves in the U.S. Army as a dentist. Their son Beau is a graduate of Montana Technological University and works on engineering bridge projects in Alaska, while their son Heath attends the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and serves as a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve.