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Our Mission: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.
Our Vision: Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.
Who We Are
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans organization that serves eligible veterans, guardsmen, and reserve members.
Founded in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) to secure rights and benefits for their service, we have a long history. As many returned home wounded or ill, medical care or veterans’ benefits were not available for them. They were left to take care of themselves.
Some of these veterans banded together in spite of their misery and formed organizations that became known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. In Ohio, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, chapters were established, and the movement quickly gained momentum. The VFW and its Auxiliaries now have more than 1.5 million members.
It was our voice that helped establish the Veterans Administration, the national cemetery system, and compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome. With the passage of the GI Bill for the 21st Century in 2008, we won a long-fought victory that expanded educational benefits for our active duty service members, guard members, and reserves in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2014, we successfully pushed for the Veterans Access and Accountability Act, and we continue to fight for improved VA medical centers and 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 Dementia 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 in 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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