The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War
(1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local
organizations to ensure rights and benefits for their service: Many
arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans'
pensions for them, and they were left to care for themselves.
In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed
organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States. After Posts were formed in Ohio, Colorado
and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915,
membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000.
Since then, the VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing
the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century,
the development of a cemetery system that covers the entire nation and the fight for
compensation for Vietnam Vets exposed to Agent Orange and for Veterans
diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory
with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded
educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and
members of the Guard and Reserves fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical center services for women veterans.
Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World
War II and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW in 2005 became
the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new
Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.
Nearly 2,000,000 members of the VFW and its
Auxiliaries annually contribute more than 8,600,000 volunteer hours in
the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and
Nation Wide Volunteer Week.
College students are the recipients of more than p $3,000,000 in annual scholarships and savings bonds.
We encourage elevating the Department
of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet.
THE VFW IS ALWAYS THERE!!!
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Our programs support our service members while they are on the front line, as they are being discharged and long after they return. Your tax-deductible donation will be immediately directed to the VFW programs where your support is most urgently needed.
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