Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, formally the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, (VFW) is an organization of U.S. war veterans headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.[7] The Veterans of Foreign Wars was established by James C. Putnam on September 29, 1899, in Columbus, Ohio.[2][1] Its membership consists of veterans who, as soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen served that Nation in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign soil or in hostile waters.[5]
 The VFW's logo since 2018 | |
 Washington Memorial Building Washington, D.C., United States | |
| Abbreviation | VFW |
|---|---|
| Established | September 29, 1899[1] |
| Founder | James C. Putnam[2] |
| Founded at | Columbus, Ohio, U.S.[2] |
| Merger of | American Veterans of Foreign Service (organized on September 29, 1899, at Columbus, Ohio, U.S.) and the Army of the Philippines (organized on December 12, 1899, at Denver, Colorado, U.S., as the Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines)[3] |
| Type | 501(c)(19), war veterans' organization[4] |
| 44-0474290 | |
| Purpose | Fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational[5] |
| Headquarters | 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°04′01″N 94°35′28″W / 39.0668144°N 94.591009°W |
Area served | Worldwide |
Membership (2018) | 1,159,428 |
Official language | English[6] |
| William J. Schmitz (NY) Since July 24, 2019 | |
| Hal J. Roesch II (VA) Since July 24, 2019 | |
| Matthew M. Mihelcic (IL) Since July 24, 2019 | |
National Council of Administration | 63 voting members
|
Main organ | VFW National Convention |
| Subsidiaries |
|
| Affiliations | Student Veterans of America |
Revenue (2015) | US$98,724,340[4] |
| Expenses (2015) | US$89,099,521[4] |
Employees (2014) | 224[4] |
Volunteers (2014) | 3,000[4] |
| Website | vfw |
Formerly called | Army of the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico[3] |
HistoryEdit
The VFW resulted from the amalgamation of several societies formed immediately following the Spanish–American War. In 1899, little groups of veterans returning from campaigning in Cuba and the Philippine Islands, founded local societies upon a spirit of comradeship known only to those who faced the dangers of that war side by side. Similar experiences and a common language drew them together.[2] The American Veterans of Foreign Service (predecessor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) was established in Columbus, Ohio, September 29, 1899, by Spanish‑American War veteran James C. Putnam.[8] The Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines, was organized in Denver, Colorado, on December 12, 1899. Shortly thereafter, a society known as the Foreign Service Veterans was born in Pennsylvania. These three veterans' organizations grew up side by side, increasing in scope and membership until August 1913, when at an encampment held at Denver, they merged their interests and identities in a national organization now known as the VFW.[2]
PurposeEdit
The purpose of the VFW is to speed rehabilitation of the nation's disabled and needy veterans, assist veterans' widows and orphans and the dependents of needy or disabled veterans, and promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism and by constructive service to local communities. The organization maintains both its legislative service and central office of its national rehabilitation service in Washington. The latter nationwide program serves disabled veterans of all wars, members and nonmembers alike, in matters of government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, civil-service employment preference, and etc."[7]
LogoEdit
Redesigned in November 2018, the official logo of the VFW includes an artistic representation of service stripes, easily recognizable insignia indicative of military service. Worn on most service uniforms, they denote length of service. As such, the first and leaner of the two service stripes represents the VFW's steadfast entry into its second century of service to America’s veterans, service members and their families. The second, broader stripe represents its first storied century of service, spanning back to 1899.
The bold letters and sharp angles of this text represent the strength and stability of the organization, and the clarity with which it works to fulfill our mission.
The use of vibrant red represents the danger its members have faced, the bloodshed they experienced and the energy with which the organization operates. The gallant gold represents members’ achievements, acts of valor and the unique VFW eligibility status they’ve earned. Further, it epitomizes our gold standard of service.
The custom upper case letters were especially designed with an extended width to symbolize an organization that is well established. Combined with a tight letter spacing, these letters visually build a solid and confident block that reflects the unified culture of our organization. In addition to the direct metaphor of the stripes, the visual progression leading to the build of the letter “V” represents their sustained and forward movement into achieving the VFW’s mission. In order to bring the acronym and title together, the gold stripes and the “V” from “VETERANS” have been carefully drawn to align on the same axis, emphasizing the element of continuity.
Great SealEdit
The Cross of Malta is the VFW's official emblem.[9] The cross, radiating rays, and Great Seal of the United States together symbolize the character, vows and purposes distinguishing VFW as an order of warriors who have traveled far from home to defend sacred principles. Its eight points represent the beatitudes prescribed in the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the pure, the merciful, the peacemakers; blessed are they who mourn, seek righteousness and are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The eight-pointed Cross of Malta harks back to the Crusades, launched during the 12th century.[10]
EligibilityEdit
Membership in the VFW is restricted to any active or honorably discharged officer or enlisted person who is a citizen of the United States and who has served in its armed forces "in any foreign war, insurrection or expedition, which service shall be recognized by the authorization or the issuance of a United States military campaign medal."[7]
The following is a list of U.S. campaign medals, ribbons, and badges used by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to determine membership eligibility.[11]
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Support and Assistance ProgramsEdit
The VFW offers a wide range of assistance programs aimed at helping veterans of every generation. Whether that means providing free, professional help filing or appealing a VA claim, offering scholarships for post-secondary education or providing emergency financial relief when times get tough, the VFW is there for America's veterans.
VA Claims and separation assistanceEdit
The VFW's National Veterans Service program consists of a nationwide network of VA accredited service officers and pre-discharge representatives who are experts in dealing with the VA and are the key to your success. Our cadre of highly-trained and professional advocates help veterans cut through bureaucratic red tape. VA reports veterans represented by the VFW have recoup $8.3 billion in earned benefits, including $1.4 billion in new claims in 2018 alone.[12]
Pre-DischargeEdit
With offices located on or near major military installations across the country, VFW Pre-Discharge representatives guide military personnel through the veterans claims process and conduct physical examinations prior to their separation from active duty. They are also ready to answer questions about education and medical benefits, as well as VA home loans.[13]
Student Veteran SupportEdit
Help A Hero ScholarshipEdit
Established in 2014, the VFW's Help A Hero Scholarship provides service members and veterans with financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive U.S. student loan debt.[14]
1 Student VeteranEdit
To help ensure student veterans receive their benefits in a timely manner and have a place to turn to if they need help, the VFW, in conjunction with the Student Veterans of America (SVA), have developed the 1 Student Veteran program. 1 Student Veteran offers direct assistance to student veterans who have questions or are experiencing problems accessing their VA benefits.[14]
VFW-SVA Legislative FellowshipEdit
The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship grants 10 exemplary student veterans (fellows) the chance to join the VFW legislative team on Capitol Hill during the VFW Legislative Conference in extremely late spring each year. The fellows will walk the halls of Congress, educating their legislators on the issues facing today’s student veterans and have the opportunity to meet with policy-makers from federal agencies responsible for implementing veterans' policy.[15]
Veterans and Military Support ProgramsEdit
The VFW's Veterans & Military Support Programs is the umbrella for three successful, long-standing programs; Operation Uplink, Unmet Needs, and the Military Assistance Program (MAP). These initiatives focus on troop support.[16]
Military Assistance ProgramEdit
MAP is the link between the VFW and the community. MAP is designed to promote VFW interaction within the local military community through the Adopt-A-Unit Program. MAP Grants are available to posts, districts, and departments who participate in a variety of morale boosting functions such as farewell and welcome home events.[16]
Operation UplinkEdit
Operation Uplink keeps military members in contact with their loved ones by allowing deployed troops to call home at no charge from MWR internet cafés in Afghanistan, Kuwait and other locations all around the world. Operation Uplink also distributes "virtual pins" which enable wounded warriors and veterans in Veterans Affairs facilities to call from home at no cost.[16]
Unmet NeedsEdit
Unmet Needs assists military service members and their families who run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other hardships directly related to military service. Assistance is in the form of a grant of up to US$1,500. Unmet Needs assists with basic life needs such as: mortgage and rent, home and auto repairs, insurance, utilities, food and clothing.[16]
ProgramsEdit
The VFW promotes civic responsibility, patriotism, and supports youth and local programs in communities across America.
Voice of DemocracyEdit
Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the US$2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW's Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.[17] The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship.
Patriot's PenEdit
Patriot's Pen challenges students from grades 6-8, to enter to win one of 46 national awards totaling US$55,000, as well as $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the national first-place winner. Students draft a 300-400 word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic, annual theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.[17]
Scout of the YearEdit
Scout of the Year selects three young people – of the Boy or Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts or Venturing Crew – who have demonstrated practical citizenship in school, scouting and the community. The first-place winner receives a US$5,000 award, the second-place winner receives a US$3,000 award and the third-place winner receives US$1,000.[17]
Teacher of the YearEdit
Teacher of the Year recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students. The VFW recognizes the nation's top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics – at least half of the school day in a classroom environment – and promote America's history, traditions and institutions effectively.[17]
Community ServiceEdit
The VFW celebrates Americanism in communities across the nation. Through local and national events, VFW members help others understand sacrifices made by veterans and the importance of patriotism.[17]
Notable membersEdit
Notable members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States have included:[18][19]
Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States
Harry Truman, 33rd President of the United States
Dwight Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States
John Kennedy, 35th President of the United States
Lyndon Johnson, 36th President of the United States
Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States
Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States
George Bush, 41st President of the United States
Albert Gore, Jr., 45th Vice President of the United States
Robert Kennedy, United States Senator from New York
Chuck Hagel, 24th United States Secretary of Defense
General John Pershing, 10th Chief of Staff of the United States Army
General Martin Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Major General Smedley Butler, Two-time Medal of Honor recipient
Sergeant Alvin York, Medal of Honor recipient
First Lieutenant Audie Murphy, Medal of Honor recipient
Carl Sandburg, Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner
Roger Staubach, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee
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See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b Mason, Jr., Herbert Molloy (1999). VFW: Our First Century. Foreword by Senator Chuck Hagel. Lenexa, Kansas: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. pp. 29, 39, 92. ISBN 1-88611072-7. LCCN 99-24943. OCLC 777720483 – via Addax Publishing Group.
- ^ a b c d e Proceedings of the 34th National Encampment of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (Report). Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Veteran. 1933. pp. 5, 31 – via Internet Archive.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b Mason, Jr., Herbert Molloy (1999). VFW: Our First Century. Foreword by Senator Chuck Hagel. Lenexa, Kansas: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. p. 225. ISBN 1-88611072-7. LCCN 99-24943. OCLC 777720483 – via Addax Publishing Group.
- ^ a b c d e "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax." Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Guidestar. August 31, 2015.
- ^ a b Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Congressional Charter, National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual (2018 Podium ed.). Kansas City, Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. 2017. p. 7.
- ^ Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Congressional Charter, National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual (2018 Podium ed.). Kansas City, Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. 2017. p. 42.
- ^ a b c "Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ Mason, Jr., Herbert Molloy (1999). VFW: Our First Century. Foreword by Senator Chuck Hagel. Lenexa, Kansas: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. pp. 29, 38–40. ISBN 1-88611072-7. LCCN 99-24943. OCLC 777720483 – via Addax Publishing Group.
- ^ Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Congressional Charter, National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual (2018 Podium ed.). Kansas City, Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. 2017. p. 44.
- ^ Mason, Jr., Herbert Molloy (1999). VFW: Our First Century. Foreword by Senator Chuck Hagel. Lenexa, Kansas: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. p. 15. ISBN 1-88611072-7. LCCN 99-24943. OCLC 777720483 – via Addax Publishing Group.
- ^ Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Congressional Charter, National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual (2018 Podium ed.). Kansas City, Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. 2017. pp. 56–61.
- ^ "VA Claims & Separation Benefits". www.vfw.org. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ "VA Claims & Separation Benefits". www.vfw.org. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ a b "Student Veteran Support". www.vfw.org. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ "Student Fellowship". www.vfw.org. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "National Military Services". Recruiter Success Pocket Guide [Brochure]. Kansas City, MO: Veterans of Foreign Wars. January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Programs". Recruiter Success Pocket Guide [Brochure]. Kansas City, MO: Veterans of Foreign Wars. January 2014.
- ^ Mason, Jr., Herbert Molloy (1999). VFW: Our First Century. Foreword by Senator Chuck Hagel. Lenexa, Kansas: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. pp. 9, 16, 47, 90–91, 118, 104, 132, 204. ISBN 1-88611072-7. LCCN 99-24943. OCLC 777720483 – via Addax Publishing Group.
- ^ Ford, Gerald R. (1979). A Time To Heal: The Autobiography of Gerald R. Ford (1st ed.). New York: Harper & Row. p. 62. ISBN 0-06-011297-2. LCCN 78020162. OCLC 4835213. OL 4731652M.
Further readingEdit
- Bottoms, Bill (1991). The VFW: An Illustrated History of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Foreword by Senator Bob Dole. Rockville, Md.: Woodbine House. ISBN 0933149344. LCCN 89040627. OCLC 22593204. OL 8387800M.
- Proceedings of the 99th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States [Summary of Minutes] (Report). Washington: GPO. 2000 – via Internet Archive.
- Proceedings of the 100th Annual Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States [Summary of Minutes] (Report). Washington: GPO. 2000 – via Internet Archive.
- White, Dean A., ed. (1999). Watch on the Rhein: A History. Wiesbaden, Germany: Watch on the Rhein Post 27, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
External linksEdit
- Official
- General information
- Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States at The Online Books Page
- United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration at the Department of Defense Vietnam War Commemoration Program Office
- Veterans of Foreign Wars at the Encyclopædia Britannica
- Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan
- Veterans of Foreign Wars politician members at The Political Graveyard
- Works by or about Veterans of Foreign Wars at Internet Archive
- Works by or about Veterans of Foreign Wars in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
