HISTORY OF THE VFW

Formation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
 


 The American Veterans of Foreign Service
The Colorado Society Army of the Phillippines Foreign Service Veterans
 Columbus, Ohio  Denver, Colorado  Pennsylvania
 September 29, 1899
James C. Putnam
 December 12, 1899  ~ early 1900

These three organizations held an encampment in Denver, Colorado in August 1913 and formed the Veterans of Foreign Wars in August of 1913.  The Congressional Charter was signed in 1936 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
 
THE VFW LOGO
 

 THE MALTESE CROSS
 
The Maltese Cross represents a heritage of honor, duty, sacrifice and courage that dates back to the 11th Century
 
The four arms symbolize prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice.

 
The eight points represent the Beatitudes* from the Sermon of the Mount.
The vibrant red represents the danger our members have faced.

The white represents purity.
 
The gold represents achievements, acts of valor and the unique VFW eligibility status they have earned.
 
The Great Seal of America says
"E pluribus unum"
"Out of many, one"
 
The VFW Scroll says
"Deo Pro Patria"
"For God and Country"