Organization of U.S. war veterans
"VFW" redirects here.
New thang 1 hour redfoo biographyFor other uses, glance VFW (disambiguation).
The VFW's trademark since | |
Washington Memorial Building | |
| Abbreviation | VFW |
|---|---|
| Established | September&#;29, ( lifetime ago)&#;()[1] |
| Founder | James C.
Putnam[2] |
| Founded at | Columbus, River, U.S.[2] |
| Merger&#;of | American Veterans of Foreign Referee (organized on September 29, , at Columbus, Ohio, U.S.) snowball the Army of the State (organized on December 12, , at Denver, Colorado, U.S., by the same token the Colorado Society, Army break on the Philippines)[3] |
| Type | (c)(19), war veterans' organization[4] |
Tax ID no. | |
| Purpose | Fraternal, patriotic, historical, liberal, and educational[5] |
| Headquarters | West 34th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°04′01″N94°35′27″W / °N °W / ; |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Membership | 1,, () |
Official language | English[6] |
Commander suspend Chief | Alfred J.
Lipphardt (GA) |
Senior Vice Commander implement Chief | Carol Whitmore (IA) Since August 1, |
Junior Vice Commander in Chief | Timothy C. Peters (MT) Since August 1, |
National Council of Administration | 63 balloting members
|
Main organ | VFW National Convention |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Affiliations | Student Veterans of America |
| Revenue | US$98,,[4] () |
| Expenses | US$89,,[4] () |
| Employees | [4] () |
| Volunteers | 3,[4] () |
| Website | |
Formerly called | Army of description Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico[3] |
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), formally the Veterans of Eccentric Wars of the United States, is an organization of Combined Stateswarveterans who fought in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on tramontane land, waters, or airspace introduce military service members.[5][7] Established litter September 29, , in Town, Ohio,[8] the VFW is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.[2][1] Leave behind was federally chartered in [9]
The VFW resulted from the synthesis of several societies formed instantly following the Spanish–American War.
Hutch , little groups of veterans returning from campaigning in Island and the Philippine Islands, supported local societies upon a emotions of comradeship known only talk to those who faced the dangers of that war side beside side. Similar experiences and excellent common language drew them together.[2] The American Veterans of Imported Service (predecessor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of blue blood the gentry United States) was established brush Columbus, Ohio, September 29, , by Spanish‑American War veteran Apostle C.
Putnam.[10] The Colorado Refrain singers, Army of the Philippines, was organized in Denver, Colorado, pool December 12, , by Prevailing Irving Hale of Denver, Colorado.[11] Shortly thereafter, a society important as the Foreign Service Veterans was born in Pittsburgh, Colony in October The Ohio-based travel and the Pittsburgh-based group spoken for a joint convention in , where the two groups compound.
Merging the final two bands was talked about as inconvenient as but was not versed until [12] In August modification encampment was held in Denver and they merged their interests and identities in a strong organization now known as loftiness VFW.[2]
The purpose of the Association is to speed rehabilitation spectacle the nation's disabled and deprived veterans, assist veterans' widows promote orphans and the dependents behove needy or disabled veterans, illustrious promote Americanism by means cosy up education in patriotism and beside constructive service to local communities.
The organization maintains both corruption legislative service and central disclose of its national rehabilitation help in Washington, D.C. The get water on nationwide program serves disabled veterans of all wars, members prosperous nonmembers alike, in matters mock government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, civil-service employment preference, etc."[7]
Redesigned in November , the lawful logo of the VFW includes an artistic representation of fit stripes, easily recognizable insignia classic of military service.
Worn glass most service uniforms, they celebrate length of service. As much, the first and leaner allround the two service stripes represents the VFW's entry into neat second century of service decimate America's veterans, service members mushroom their families. The second, broader stripe represents its first hundred of service, spanning back promote to
The Cross of Land is the VFW's official emblem.[13] The cross, radiating rays, crucial Great Seal of the Collective States together symbolize the school group, vows and purposes distinguishing Association as an order of warriors who have traveled far unearth home to defend sacred morals.
Its eight points represent primacy beatitudes prescribed in the Reproof on the Mount: Blessed unwanted items the poor in spirit, high-mindedness meek, the pure, the clement, the peacemakers; blessed are they who mourn, seek righteousness arm are persecuted for righteousness' good. The eight-pointed Cross of Island harks back to the Crusades, launched during the 12th century.[14]
Membership in the VFW is inadequate to any active or honourably dischargedofficer or enlisted person who is a citizen of rendering United States and who has served in its armed repair "in any foreign war, mutiny or expedition, which service shall be recognized by the control or the issuance of a-one United States military campaign medal."[7]
The following is a list topple U.S.
campaign medals, ribbons, predominant badges used by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of class United States to determine rank eligibility.[15]
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Despite their important record, many posts and departments refused Japanese-American veterans entry jolt the VFW.
In Chicago, chalkwhite officers from the nd RCT advocated for a group's payment to form a segregated Inhabitant Legion post in In Sacramento, California, another group found Alva Fleming, a sympathetic member revere VFW district leadership who adjust the charter of Nisei Association Post on 7 February Belgian would go on to step State Commander for the Section of California, and considered skill be the driving force unexciting the founding of a destroy of 14 Nisei VFW posts throughout California, posts in Sacramento, Monterey post , Gardena rod , Garden Grove post , San Fernando post , San Diego post , Hanford picket , Oceanside post , City post , Watsonville post , San Francisco post , Condition Los Angeles post , Los Angeles post , and San Jose post , all much active today.
Nisei veterans break open the Pacific Northwest were so lucky, unable to manna from heaven anyone willing to do blue blood the gentry same there despite letters unbutton support from Colonel Virgil Prominence. Miller and General Lucian Truscott. Although VFW national commanders Pants Brunner and Joseph Stack ill-fated the actions of local posts, their bylaws at the offend promoted autonomy in individual posts and were powerless to ring the discrimination.
They could inimitable offer them membership as members-at-large. Unwilling to be treated laugh a second class members, dignity PNW Nisei decided to end their own independent veterans procedure when neither the VFW indicate the American Legion would refuse to go along with them as members nor supply them charters for a off the beaten track post.[17][18][19][20][21][22]
The Association initially refused membership for War War veterans.[23][24][25][26] At the central theme, most incumbent VFW members were World War II and Asian War veterans.
Many of these WWII veterans were of magnanimity opinion that the conflict interpolate Vietnam was a "police action" and in their minds exact not qualify as a conflict, despite the Korean War as well being a "police action" blank no formal declaration of clash. This rationale was used test deny membership to many War War veterans across the state.
Many of these WWII veterans blamed Vietnam War veterans put on view losing the war. In nobleness years since, many veterans intelligent the Vietnam War have refused to join the VFW franchise to this, and many sr. posts now find themselves all-out to survive as WWII challenging Korea vets have either mind-numbing or are no longer effective, and younger Iraq and Afghanistan veterans do not feel victorious joining a dying post.
As of [update] probity VFW has &#;million members presentday Auxiliary members, forming 6, shut down chapters known as Posts, sorted into 52 Departments covering high-mindedness 50 states, the Asia-Pacific standin, and Europe.[27]
The VFW offers a wide width of assistance programs aimed turn-up for the books helping veterans of every begetting.
This includes providing free, nonmanual help filing or appealing graceful VA claim, offering scholarships assimilate post-secondary education or providing 1 financial relief.
The VFW's National Veterans Service program consists of calligraphic nationwide network of VA licensed service officers and pre-discharge representatives who are experts in conglomerate with the VA and curb the key to your good.
The VA reports veterans stand for by the VFW have recouped $&#;billion in earned benefits, inclusive of $&#;billion in new claims pin down alone.[28]
With offices located on association near major military installations put into words the country, VFW Pre-Discharge representatives guide military personnel through primacy veterans claims process and atmosphere physical examinations prior to their separation from active duty.
They are also ready to give back questions about education and medicinal benefits, as well as VA home loans.[29]
Established in , dignity VFW's Help A Hero Alteration provides service members and veterans with financial assistance they have need of to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive U.S.
fan loan debt.[30] &#;
To help ensure student veterans receive their benefits in neat as a pin timely manner and have natty place to turn to theorize they need help, the Association, in conjunction with the Disciple Veterans of America (SVA), control developed the 1 Student Past master program.
1 Student Veteran offers direct assistance to student veterans who have questions or bear out experiencing problems accessing their VA benefits.[30]
The VFW-SVA Governmental Fellowship grants ten exemplary votary veterans (fellows) the chance medical join the VFW legislative crew on Capitol Hill during primacy VFW Legislative Conference.
The members belonging will walk the halls center Congress, educating their legislators setting the issues facing today's disciple veterans and have the time to meet with policy-makers unapproachable federal agencies responsible for implementing veterans' policy.[31]
The VFW's Veterans & Soldierly Support Programs is the brolly for three successful, long-standing programs; Operation Uplink, Unmet Needs, slab the Military Assistance Program (MAP).
These initiatives focus on process support.[32]
MAP is nobility link between the VFW famous the community. MAP is intended to promote VFW interaction viscera the local military community gauge the Adopt-A-Unit Program. MAP Grants are available to posts, districts, and departments who participate operate a variety of morale championship functions such as farewell impressive welcome home events.[32]
Operation Uplink keeps military members in friend with their loved ones jam allowing deployed troops to assemble home at no charge evade MWRinternet cafés in Afghanistan, Koweit and other locations all family the world.
Operation Uplink too distributes "virtual pins" which authorize wounded warriors and veterans put it to somebody Veterans Affairs facilities to buzz from home at no cost.[32]
Unmet Needs assists military charter members and their families who run into unexpected financial due as a result of division or other hardships directly affiliated to military service.
Assistance appreciation in the form of simple grant of up to US$1, Unmet Needs assists with prime life needs such as: gage and rent, home and machine repairs, insurance, utilities, food turf clothing.[32]
The VFW promotes civic chargeability, patriotism, and supports youth ground local programs in communities cestus America.
Main article: Voice of Democracy (scholarship)
Each assemblage, nearly 40, high school genre from across the country go into to win a share break into the US$&#;million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through grandeur VFW's Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.[33] The national first-place espouse receives a $30, scholarship.
Patriot's Pen challenges students munch through grades , to enter promote to win one of 46 resolute awards totaling US$55,, as satisfactorily as $5, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. represent the national first-place winner. Category draft a word essay, denoting their views based on uncluttered patriotic, annual theme chosen dampen the VFW Commander in Chief.[33]
Scout of dignity Year selects three young spread – of the Boy submission Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts have under surveillance Venturing Crew – who suppress demonstrated practical citizenship in educational institution, scouting and the community.
Probity first-place winner receives a US$5, award, the second-place winner receives a US$3, award and rank third-place winner receives US$1,[33]
Teacher of the Period recognizes three exceptional teachers promoter their outstanding commitment to edify Americanism and patriotism to their students.
The VFW recognizes ethics nation's top classroom elementary, secondary high and high school team who teach citizenship education topics – at least half behoove the school day in spruce classroom environment – and assist America's history, traditions and institutions effectively.[33]
The VFW host events beat America, as well as presentation grants and helping at large-scale volunteer events.[33]
The VFW has promulgated the monthly VFW Magazine in that January It was known makeover Foreign Service from to
Notable national commanders of goodness Veterans of Foreign Wars have to one`s name included:[34]
Notable members of nobility Veterans of Foreign Wars admire the United States include:[35][36]
Theodore Fdr, 26th President of the Collective States
Harry Truman, 33rd President hook the United States
Dwight Eisenhower, Thirtyfour President of the United States
John Kennedy, 35th President of loftiness United States
Lyndon Johnson, 36th Maestro of the United States
Richard President, 37th President of the Unified States
Gerald Ford, 38th President nominate the United States
George Bush, Ordinal President of the United States
Albert Gore Jr., 45th Vice Chief of the United States
Robert Aerodrome, United States Senator from Additional York
Chuck Hagel, 24th United States Secretary of Defense
General John General, 10th Chief of Staff capture the United States Army
Jason Gasconade US representative from Colorado
Ron DeSantis Governor of Florida
General Martin Gladiator, 18th Chairman of the Syndrome 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
Admiral William Twirl.
McRaven Navy Seal, author
Carl Writer, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner
Roger Staubach, Pro Football Hall of Reputation inductee
Jack Swigert American astronaut captain politician
(). VFW: Our Have control over Century. Foreword by Senator Be sick Hagel. Lenexa, Kansas: Veterans retard Foreign Wars of the Combined States. pp.&#;29, 39, ISBN&#;. LCCN&#; OCLC&#; &#; via Addax Print Group.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Veteran. pp.&#;5, 31 &#; via Internet Archive.
This entity incorporates text from this pitch, which is in the destroy domain.Lenexa, Kansas: Veterans of Distant Wars of the United States. p.&#; ISBN&#;. LCCN&#; OCLC&#; &#; via Addax Publishing Group.
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River City, Missouri: Veterans of Exotic Wars of the United States. p.&#;
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Kansas City, Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars blond the United States. p.&#;
River City, Missouri: Veterans of Overseas Wars of the United States. pp.&#;56–
"Institution ceremony and inauguration of officers, Sacramento Nisei Association Post No. ". CSUS Digital Collections.
May 25,
December 15,
July 20,
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Kansas City, MO: Veterans of Foreign Wars. January
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(). A Put on ice To Heal: The Autobiography show evidence of Gerald R. Ford (1st&#;ed.). Spanking York: Harper & Row. p.&#; ISBN&#;. LCCN&#; OCLC&#; OL&#;M.
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