Larry Thayer is a graduate of Corunna High School.  Upon graduation he joined the United States Navy.  After 18 months of training, he was assigned to the USS Tecumseh  SSBN 628 (B), making four deterrent patrols.  He was then transferred to the USS Batfish SSN 681.  Among the runs while he was on the Batfish was a Mediterranean run where he earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, for the Beirut conflict. He also served on a North Atlantic run where almost 2 months was spent under the ice at the North Pole.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Larry joined the Army National Guard.  In 1991 he was sent with the 144^th Miliary Police Company to Saudia Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield /Desert Storm, earning the Southwest Asia Campaign medal.

Larry joined his local VFW Post 9455 in Owosso, Michigan in 1986.  He was first elected Commander in 1999.  Since then, he has served as Commander of his post eleven times, achieving All State Post each time. He has also achieved All American Post five times.

Larry also proudly served as the following:

Shiawassee County Council Commander 2004-2005

Shiawassee County Council Quartermaster/ Adjutant 2005-2025

District Level

District 9 Jr-Vice, 2003-4, Sr-Vice 2004-05, Commander 2005-2006 and 2021-2022

Youth Activities Chairman

VOD/Patriots Pen Chairman

Teach of the Year Chairman

District Inspector

Department Level

Chief of Staff

Scouting Director

Youth Activities Director

All State Director

State Honor Guard

Elected Junior Vice Commander in 2024

Elected Senior Vice Commander in 2025

National Level

Scouting Committee, Aide-de-Camp 4 times, Assistant Chief of Staff, Resolution and by-laws committee three times.

Commander Thayer was elected as State Commander on June 13, 2026 at the 107^th State Convention.

Larry and his wife, Audrey, have two daughters, Samantha and Natalie, who have each supported the VFW through their time and involvement in various volunteer activities. All 3 are Life Members of Post 9455 Auxiliary.

Larry remains deeply proud of his military service and of the opportunity to continue serving through the VFW. His work within the organization allows him to honor his fellow veterans and give back to the community he values.