The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW, or simply Veterans of Foreign Wars) is an American war veterans' organization headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The Veterans of Foreign Wars was established by James C. Putnam on September 29, 1899, in Columbus, Ohio. The organization's membership consists of veterans who, as soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsmen served the United States in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign soil or in hostile waters.
Video Veterans of Foreign Wars
History
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 that spirit of comradeship, known only to those who have faced the dangers of war side by side. Similar experiences and a common language drew them together. 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. 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 organizations grew up side by side, increasing in scope and membership until 1913, when at an encampment held at Denver, they merged their interests and identities in a national organization now known as the VFW.
Maps Veterans of Foreign Wars
Purpose
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 U.S. government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, civil-service employment preference, and etc."
National Military Services
The VFW's National Military Services unites three successful, long-standing programs; Operation Uplink, Unmet Needs, and Military Assistance Program (MAP). These initiatives focus on troop support.
Military Assistance Program
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.
Operation Uplink
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.
Unmet Needs
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$2,500. Unmet Needs assists with basic life needs such as: mortgage and rent, home and auto repairs, insurance, utilities, food and clothing.
Programs
The good will of the VFW reaches far beyond the realm of veterans helping veterans.
Community Service
The VFW celebrates Americanism in communities across the nation. Through local and national events, VFW members help others understand the sacrifices made by veterans and the importance of patriotism.
Voice of Democracy
Each year, more than 39,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the US$2.2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW's Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.
Patriots Pen
Patriots Pen challenges students from grades 6-8, to enter to win one of 46 national awards totaling US$46,000, as well as 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.
Scout of the Year
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.
Teacher of the Year
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.
Eligibility
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."
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.
Great Seal
The Cross of Malta is the VFW's official emblem. 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.
Notable members
Notable members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States have included:
See also
- List of veterans organizations
References
Further reading
External links
- Official
- Official website
- Veterans of Foreign Wars on Facebook
- Veterans of Foreign Wars on Twitter
- Veterans of Foreign Wars on YouTube
- Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan
- "2017 Annual Report" (PDF).
- 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 articles in the archive of the Chicago Tribune
- Veterans of Foreign Wars politician members at The Political Graveyard
- Works by or about Veterans of Foreign Wars at Internet Archive
- World War I Centennial Commission at the United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars
Source of article : Wikipedia
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