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  VFW Programs

VFW programs assist servicemembers and their families, as well as promote patriotism, youth development and community volunteerism.  More information onTo learn more, read the  please click on the VFW Profile. 

National Military Services (Military Support): Direct support for deployed and returning servicemembers and their families

• Since 1996, Operation Uplink, the VFW's free phone card program, has distributed more than eight million phone cards to hospitalized veterans and deployed servicemembers. 

• The Unmet Needs program, which originated with the generous donation of Vermont American, provides emergency relief to service members facing unexpected costs, such as medical emergencies, home repair, or identity theft.

• The Military Assistance Program allows local VFW posts to adopt units and sponsor morale-raising events.

• The VFW's Military Scholarship program provides 25 $3,000 scholarships annually to VFW members who are currently serving in uniform or have been discharged within the 36 months before the December 31 deadline. 

Citizenship & Community Education:  A founding VFW tenet with volunteerism benefiting education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects.

• For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents.

• Flag education, along with patriotic days promotion, are VFW's key citizenship programs.

• Every year, hundreds of students participate in VFW's Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen scholarship programs, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives.  In addition, the VFW honors an outstanding boy or girl through the VFW Scout of the Year scholarship competition.   

VFW on Capitol Hill: Heart of VFW's advocacy efforts

• The VFW's National Veterans Service program has more than 850 VFW-accredited service officers to assist any veteran, or their dependents, obtain federal or state entitlements.  The VFW's Tactical Assessment Center is a 24-hour help line for veterans with questions or concerns about VA entitlements. (1-800-vfw-1899)

• Through its National Legislative Service, the VFW has been instrumental in nearly every piece of veterans legislation ever passed, including the 1944 GI Bill of Rights.  More Historical legislative achievements

• VFW's National Security & Foreign Affairs monitors national security and foreign affairs issues and advocates for a strong national defense and promotes our democratic ideals and interests abroad. A key NS&FA program includes POW/MIA advocacy.

• The National Veterans Employment Assistance Service works to ensure veteran preference in federal and other government hiring. The VFW also is the major sponsor for VetJobs.com, a free online employment resource that allows veterans and their spouses to post resumes and search available jobs online. 

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  VFW FOUNDATION

For many years, our programs were supported by VFW membership dues alone. Then they were supplemented by donations from our members and the public.  In 1996, the VFW Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization to provide additional revenue so it could help the organization expand its reach in the noble mission of helping others.

VFW Membership

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, with its Auxiliaries, includes 2.3 million members in approximately 8,300 posts worldwide. Today, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of combat veterans, and it is the nation's oldest major veterans' organization.

The VFW has members in all 50 states, the District of columbia, Puerto Rico, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. While the majority of members belong to a local VFW post, many choose to remain as a member at large.unaffiliated. You do not have to join a post to enjoy the advantages of membership.

The VFW welcomes everyone who is a U.S. citizen, was honorably discharged, or is currently serving in the U.S. armed forces, and meets membership qualifications.

VFW History

The VFW traces its 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.

Since then, the VFW's voice has helped establish the Veterans Administration, the 1944 GI Bill, and the national cemetery system, as well as successfully fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. The VFW also has fought for improving 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, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which is being constructed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to open in 2010.

Most recently, the VFW began advocating for government research studies relating to military service and lung and breast cancer. The veterans service organization also is promoting diabetes prevention, prostate cancer detection and good health habits.  VFW national is also encouraging posts to go "smoke free and family friendly" to welcome the new veteran and his/her family into the VFW family. 

VFW PUBLICATIONS

VFW Monthly E-Newsletter

VFW Washington Weekly

VFW Magazine

VFW 'At-Work' Stories  (Grassroot Stories)