Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, commonly abbreviated as VFW, is a nonprofit veterans service organization consisting of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard, and Reserve forces. The organization is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and was federally chartered in 1936.

History

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. These early groups, including the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines, eventually merged in 1913 to form the national organization known today as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States[3][4].

Purpose

The primary mission of the VFW is to foster camaraderie among U.S. veterans of overseas conflicts, serve veterans, the military, and communities, and advocate for all veterans. The organization also aims to ensure that veterans receive their earned entitlements and are recognized for their sacrifices[2][4].

Advocacy Efforts

The VFW has been instrumental in several key legislative achievements:

• Adjustment Compensation Act of 1924: Known as the Soldier's Bonus, this granted World War I veterans a deferred payment.
• G.I. Bill of 1944: The VFW played a crucial role in its passage, providing education and housing benefits to veterans.
• G.I. Bill for the 21st Century (2008): Expanded educational benefits for service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014: Improved access to VA services.
• Honoring Our PACT Act (2022): Significant legislation addressing veterans' health issues[2][5].

Charity Work

The VFW supports numerous charitable and patriotic causes, including funding memorials for Vietnam, Korean War, World War II, and Women in Military Service veterans. They were the first to contribute to the Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial[2][5]. The organization and its Auxiliary members contribute millions of hours in volunteer work annually[5].

Membership and Structure

As of recent figures, the VFW has a large membership base, with both veterans and supporting affiliates contributing to its activities. The organization operates under a hierarchical structure with national leadership[4].

Programs and Services

In addition to its legislative advocacy, the VFW provides various programs and services to support veterans, service members, and their families, including scholarships and community outreach[2][5].