What is the Veterans of Foreign Wars?
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a nonprofit veterans organization in the United States that is dedicated to supporting and advocating for its members, who are United States military veterans who have served in overseas combat. The organization was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.
History
The VFW was founded in 1899 by a group of veterans who served in the Spanish-American War. The organization was initially known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and its primary goal was to provide support and camaraderie to its members. Over the years, the VFW has grown to become one of the largest and most influential veterans organizations in the country, with over 1.5 million members in more than 6,000 posts across the United States.
Mission and Purpose
The VFW’s mission is to support and advocate for its members, who are United States military veterans who have served in overseas combat. The organization’s purpose is to:
- Provide Support: The VFW provides support to its members, including financial assistance, mental health services, and camaraderie.
- Advocate: The VFW advocates for its members and for the interests of all veterans, including support for veterans’ benefits and services.
- Honoring: The VFW honors the sacrifices and contributions of its members and all veterans, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Benefits and Services
The VFW offers a range of benefits and services to its members, including:
- Disability Compensation: The VFW provides financial assistance to disabled veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities.
- Mental Health Services: The VFW provides mental health services, including counseling and therapy, to its members.
- Counseling: The VFW offers counseling services to its members, including financial counseling and employment assistance.
- Veterans’ Benefits: The VFW helps its members access veterans’ benefits, including disability compensation, pension benefits, and education benefits.
- Homeless Support: The VFW provides support to homeless veterans, including housing assistance and other services.
Programs and Services
The VFW offers a range of programs and services to its members, including:
- VFW Auxiliary: The VFW Auxiliary is a women’s organization that supports the VFW’s mission and provides services to its members.
- VFW Riders: The VFW Riders is a motorcycle organization that supports the VFW’s mission and provides transportation services to its members.
- VFW Youth Scholarship: The VFW offers a range of scholarships to its members’ children and grandchildren.
- VFW State and National Conventions: The VFW holds state and national conventions, which provide opportunities for members to meet and network with other veterans.
Membership and Eligibility
To become a member of the VFW, an individual must:
- Be a United States military veteran: The individual must have served in the United States military and have been discharged under honorable conditions.
- Have served in overseas combat: The individual must have served in overseas combat or have been awarded a combat-related medal or badge.
- Be a current or former member of the VFW: The individual must be a current or former member of the VFW or have been approved for membership by the VFW’s national headquarters.
Table: VFW Membership Requirements
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | United States military veteran, served in overseas combat, or awarded combat-related medal or badge |
| Membership | Current or former member of the VFW, or approved for membership by the VFW’s national headquarters |
Conclusion
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a nonprofit veterans organization that provides support and advocacy to its members, who are United States military veterans who have served in overseas combat. The organization offers a range of benefits and services, including financial assistance, mental health services, and camaraderie, and has a long history of serving and advocating for its members. If you are a United States military veteran who has served in overseas combat, the VFW may be the perfect organization for you to join.
