Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
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 secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived
home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension 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 chapters 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
the national cemetery system 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
servicemembers, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers 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.
Annually, the 2.1 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary contribute more
than 11 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including
participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.
From providing $2.5 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to
students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans
Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there.
War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local
organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived
home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension 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 chapters 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
the national cemetery system 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
servicemembers, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers 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.
Annually, the 2.1 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary contribute more
than 11 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including
participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.
From providing $2.5 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to
students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans
Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there.
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