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
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans 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 approximately 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. The VFW's legislative advocacy efforts were also the driving force
behind the passage of the 2019 Blue Water Navy Veteran Act, and the passage of the 2022 Honoring Our PACT Act, which the VFW considers one of the most significant
pieces of veterans legislation in history.
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 Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial which broke ground in July of 2022.
Our Core Values:
Always put the interests of our members
Treat donors as partners in our cause
Promote patriotism
Honor military
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Ensure the care of veterans and their families
Serve our communities
Promote a positive image of the VFW
Respect the diversity of veteran