Veterans of Foreign Wars of the USA Dept of West Virginia

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the USA Dept of West Virginia is part of the larger Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization, a nonprofit veterans service organization established in 1899. The VFW is dedicated to supporting veterans of overseas conflicts and advocating for their rights and benefits.

Purpose

The VFW's mission includes fostering camaraderie among veterans, serving veterans and the military, and advocating for veterans' rights. The organization focuses on promoting Americanism through education and community service.

History

The VFW was founded by veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection to address the lack of support for veterans returning from these conflicts. Over the years, the VFW has played a significant role in shaping veterans' policies, including the establishment of the Veterans Administration and the national cemetery system. It has also been instrumental in securing compensation for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome.

Programs and Advocacy

The VFW offers various programs and services to support veterans, service members, and their families. These include legislative advocacy, community service, and financial support for education through scholarships like the Help A Hero Scholarship. The organization has also supported the construction of national memorials honoring different conflicts.

Membership and Structure

The VFW is a 501(c)(19) organization with more than 1.4 million members nationwide, including its auxiliary. Membership is open to eligible veterans and military service members who have served in overseas conflicts.

Specific Focus in West Virginia

While specific details about the West Virginia department's initiatives are not widely documented, local VFW posts, like Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5501, typically support charities, address veterans' needs, and participate in community activities such as providing honor guards at veteran funerals.

EIN and Tax Status

The EIN for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the USA Dept of West Virginia is 237172858. As a nonprofit, it is classified under the 501(c)(19) category for war veterans' organizations.