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The
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a non-profit veteran’s service
organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from
the active, guard and reserve forces.
We
trace our roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898)
and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to
secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or
sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were
left to care for themselves.
In
their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations
that would eventually band together and become known as the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and
Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. Today, membership stands at
more than 1.5 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary.
Our
voice was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, development
of the national cemetery system, in the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets
exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In
2008, we won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st
Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service
members, and members of the guard and reserves, fighting in Iraq and
Afghanistan. We were the driving force behind the Veterans Access and
Accountability Act of 2014, and continually fight for improved VA medical
centers services for women veterans.
Besides
helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in
Military Service memorials, in 2005 the VFW became the first veterans'
organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life
Memorial, which opened in November 2010. And in 2015, we became the first
supporter of the National Desert Storm War Memorial which is planned for
construction at our nation's capital.
We
have many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members
and their families, as well as communities worldwide. Please check out our
latest fact sheet or spend some time browsing our site to learn why No One Does
More For Veterans.
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