Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Pennsylvania

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Pennsylvania is a state-level component of the national organization, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), focusing on supporting veterans across Pennsylvania.

History

The national Veterans of Foreign Wars organization was formed through the merger of several groups established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Pennsylvania, early formations included the Philippine War Veterans in Pittsburgh and Altoona, and the American Veterans of the Philippine and China Wars in Philadelphia. These groups merged in 1903 to form the American Veterans of Foreign Service-Eastern Branch, which later became part of the larger national organization in 1905[1][3].

Purpose

The VFW's mission includes promoting Americanism, supporting veterans' rehabilitation, and advocating for veterans' rights and benefits. The organization is known for its grassroots efforts to ensure that veterans receive adequate compensation and care, as well as its educational and community service initiatives[5].

Activities

Key activities of the Veterans of Foreign Wars include:

• Advocacy: The organization plays a crucial role in lobbying for veterans' rights, including ongoing efforts to improve VA healthcare and support for veterans' families.
• Community Service: Members are involved in various local initiatives, such as youth programs, troop support, and disaster relief.
• Education and Patriotism: The VFW conducts programs like the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen contests to promote patriotism among young people[1][2].
• Support for Women Veterans: The organization actively works to recognize and support female veterans, who are increasingly involved in leadership positions[1].

Membership and Structure

Membership in the VFW is open to individuals who have served honorably in the U.S. armed forces overseas or in other eligible conflicts. The Pennsylvania Department operates as part of the broader VFW structure, which includes over 9,000 posts worldwide[1][2]. The national organization is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and receives no federal funding, relying on donations and member support[5].

EIN

The VFW Department of Pennsylvania is recognized under the Employer Identification Number 251380740.

References

This article is based on general information about the Veterans of Foreign Wars and may not specifically detail all activities of the Pennsylvania Department. For detailed activities and specific events, more localized sources would be necessary.

[1] http://www.vfwpost454.org/home/vfworganization/vfwhistory.aspx [2] https://www.vfw.org/find-a-post [3] http://vfw1383.us/history/vfw.html [4] http://www.vfw10225.org/vfwhistory.shtml [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_of_Foreign_Wars