It was the evening of September 29, 1899, when 13 men — all Spanish-American War veterans — gathered at a small tailor shop in the heart of Columbus, Ohio, to discuss the issues plaguing returning veterans. Veterans were coming home wounded or sick, and there was no medical care or veterans' pension for them… they were left to care for themselves. The men shared personal accounts of what was at that point, the most popular war in America’s history, but more importantly discussed what they could do for their brothers-in-arms and for the dependents of their fallen comrades.
It was that same year two organizations were formed; in Columbus, Ohio, James Romanis and a few others, organized the American Veterans of Foreign Service, and in Denver, Colorado, those veterans of the Spanish-American war who had fought in the Philippines organized the Colorado Society of the Army of the Philippines, later renamed the National Society of the Army of the Philippines.
Through the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines, America's veterans finally had a voice. This voice was given greater strength in 1913 when these organizations, realizing that by joining together they could better serve their members, joined forces. Banding together, these men created a veterans organization that would outlast themselves, and survive as long as Americans put on uniforms to defend our country.
For a brief period the new organization was known as the Army of the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico. A year later Rice W. Means, the Commander-in-Chief of the organization suggested a new name — the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Their resolve to promote and defend the general welfare of all those who have borne the brunt of battle ultimately laid the groundwork for the multifaceted organization the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is today. The name was officially adopted on August 1, 1914 — the day World War One began.
Those years of strife and turmoil during World War One and after, also saw the VFW refine its organizational structure and establish some of the programs which remain to this day.
In 1921, the VFW’s National Veterans Service and National Legislative Service were made into separate programs.
The following year, the VFW's "Buddy" Poppy program was established. Before Memorial Day in 1922, VFW conducted its first poppy distribution, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. In that first year, 1.5 million poppies were distributed; our most recent record was over 9.5 million! The poppy was soon adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
In 1923, a former VFW Commander-in-Chief and part owner of the New York Yankees, contributed $20,000 to the VFW which was used to establish the VFW National Home for Children at Eaton Rapids, Michigan, a place where the families left behind by war can remain together. To this day, our national home sets the standard for other such facilities, providing dependents and families of America’s heroes with a safe place to thrive and heal.
Chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Most easily recognized as the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans’ organization, the VFW has evolved into a powerhouse for veterans. Today there are nearly 1.6 million VFW and Auxiliary members in all 50 states, and many foreign countries.
The VFW’s founders challenged the status quo and in doing so, accepted nothing less than America’s commitment to appropriately care for those who willingly take up arms in defense of our country and way of life. And in the decades since, it has been the VFW that has remained persistent and unwavering in its fight to ensure America fulfills its obligation.
Since its origin more than a century ago, the VFW and its Auxiliary have proven “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.” From legislative activism to our benefits and VA claim assistance, the VFW continues its commitment to our nation’s veterans, service members and their families.
Veterans both old and young have joined in its cause, ensuring veterans of every era are respected for their service, receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of our great nation.
The VFW’s efforts have played an instrumental role in virtually every major legislative victory for veterans in the 20th and 21st centuries. Our voice was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration. It helped create the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills. It was a key player in the development of the national cemetery system and led the fight for compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. It was a powerful force in the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, the reinstatement of military Tuition Assistance programs, the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, which provided necessary resources, reduced appointment waiting times, and has provided veterans timely access to quality VA and non-VA health care alike.
In 2015, the VFW was instrumental in seeing the Clay Hunt Su***de Prevention for American Veterans Act passed. This past year the VFW successfully helped draft and pass the Forever GI Bill, legislation to expand and protect service member and veteran educational benefits. And, we continue to make VA reform a top priority, aiding in the support and passage of the VA MISSION Act in 2018.
While the VFW’s legislative influence is vast and well known, the effect the VFW has had on the lives of America’s heroes, and those of their families extends far beyond its advocacy efforts. Its programs and services continue to provide America’s heroes and their families with the vital support they need.
From providing more than $10 million in financial assistance covering basic needs in times of crisis and nearly $5 million in college scholarships for student veterans, to its members volunteering nearly 9 million hours of time annually to their local communities, the VFW and its Auxiliary continue to act as pillars of support in communities across America and abroad.
From lobbying Congress and monitoring the Department of Veterans Affairs to assisting veterans filing claims, VFW remains a dedicated advocate for America’s veterans, service members and their families.
Though the organization has changed much over the years, today’s VFW still operates with the same mission it was founded upon more than nearly 119 years ago — existing to care for those who selflessly fought and sacrificed to protect the American way of life — a mission that won’t change any time soon!
