Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) is a nonprofit veterans service organization in the United States. Its mission is to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, serve veterans, the military, and communities, and advocate on behalf of all veterans.

History

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to support each other and secure rights and benefits for their service. Initially, these veterans were left with no medical care or veterans' pensions upon their return and formed societies based on a spirit of comradeship. Key founding events include:

• September 1899: The American Veterans of Foreign Service was established in Columbus, Ohio.
• December 1899: The Colorado Society of the Army of the Philippines was organized in Denver, Colorado.
• 1913: These and other veterans organizations merged at an encampment in Denver to form a national entity, which would eventually become the VFW.

Development

By 1915, membership grew to 5,000, and by 1936, it reached almost 200,000. The VFW gained official recognition on May 28, 1936, when it was chartered by the United States Congress. This charter identified the VFW as a nonprofit organization that receives no funding from U.S. tax receipts and relies on charitable donations.

Major Contributions

The VFW has been instrumental in several significant legislative achievements and services for veterans:

• Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924 (Soldier's Bonus): The VFW played a crucial role in lobbying for early payment of this bonus to World War I veterans.
• Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill): The VFW supported the passage of this bill, which provided extensive educational and housing benefits to World War II veterans.
• Agent Orange Compensation: The VFW advocated for compensation for Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange, eventually leading to acknowledgment and compensation in 1996.
• GI Bill for the 21st Century: The VFW contributed to the expansion of educational benefits for active-duty service members, Guard, and Reserve forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008.
• Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014: The VFW was a driving force behind this legislation to improve services for veterans.

Current Activities

Today, the VFW is composed of more than 1.4 million members and works extensively on supporting veterans through various programs and services:

• Community Volunteerism: Members and their auxiliary contribute millions of hours annually to community projects.
• Scholarships and Education: The VFW provides financial support for education through scholarships and savings bonds.
• Memorial Contributions: The organization has contributed to the creation of several war memorials, including the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II, and Women in Military Service memorials.

The VFW's commitment to veterans' welfare and its legislative advocacy continue to shape the lives of U.S. veterans and their families.