The Veterans of Foreign Wars traces its roots to 1899, when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899–1902) formed local organizations to secure the rights, benefits, and recognition they had earned through military service.
Many returned home wounded or ill. At that time, there were few benefits, no comprehensive medical care, and no pension system for many veterans. Faced with these hardships, they united to support one another and advocate for those who had served our nation.
Local chapters formed in Ohio, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, and the movement quickly gained momentum.
By 1915, VFW membership had grown to more than 5,000 members.
By 1936, membership had reached nearly 200,000 veterans.
For more than a century, the VFW has been a powerful voice for veterans and their families.
The VFW has been instrumental in:
★ Establishing the Veterans Administration (now the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
★ Helping create the original GI Bill
★ Supporting the development of the National Cemetery System
★ Fighting for compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange
★ Advocating for veterans suffering from Gulf War illnesses
★ Securing passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, expanding education benefits for service members, Guard, and Reserve personnel
★ Improving VA health care and services for women veterans
The VFW has proudly helped fund the creation of several national memorials, including:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
World War II Memorial
Women in Military Service for America Memorial
In 2005, the VFW became the first veterans organization to contribute to the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which opened in 2010.
Each year, nearly 2 million VFW and Auxiliary members contribute more than 8.6 million volunteer hours serving their communities through programs such as:
• Community service projects
• Make A Difference Day
• National Volunteer Week
• Veteran outreach
• Youth mentoring
• Patriotic events and ceremonies
The VFW proudly invests in the next generation by:
🎓 Awarding more than $3 million in scholarships and educational awards each year.
🇺🇸 Promoting patriotism, citizenship, and civic responsibility through nationally recognized youth programs.
🤝 Continuing to advocate for policies that improve the lives of veterans, service members, and their families.
Serving Veterans • Serving Communities • Serving America Since 1899
WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) strongly condemns today's disgraceful vandalism of the National World War II Memor...
WASHINGTON - Hundreds of veterans and their families received direct access to earned benefits and health care resources during th...
