(Radio Iowa) – A series of events are planned through this weekend to honor the Iowan who’s been elected national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Carol Whitmore of Des Moines is the first woman to lead the V-F-W.

Whitmore is a 1973 graduate of North Tama High School. She attended the University of Northern Iowa and Hawkeye Community College, then enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in 1977 — a year before it was disbanded and women became part of the regular Army.

Whitmore, who served in the military for 36 years, was a first sergeant in her unit when it deployed to Iraq. She joined a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Des Moines in 2012.

Whitmore is the first Iowan to lead the V-F-W. Homecoming events to honor Whitmore start today (Thursday) with reception at a hotel in downtown Des Moines and conclude with a banquet on Saturday night.