By Donna Reuss
Alexandria, VA – Last month, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) made history, electing its first female Commander-in-Chief. This is a significant step in helping to change public perception of this 126-year-old organization.
Like the American Legion, the VFW had gained a reputation as crusty old war vets drinking cheap booze and telling war stories. While some VFW Posts may still fit this stereotype, others, like Post 609 in Alexandria, are vibrant contributors to their local communities, promoting civic responsibility and patriotism, and supporting youth and local community programs.
The root of the VFW was the founding of the American Veterans of Foreign Service in Columbus, Ohio, on September 29, 1899. With no veterans’ medical care systems or pensions, veterans of the Spanish-American War (1899) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) had begun forming societies around the country to help cope with their trauma and secure benefits for their service.
Eventually, these groups merged to become the national VFW organization in 1913. It was federally chartered in 1936. The VFW Auxiliary was established in 1914 for spouses and select relatives of VFW-eligible members.
The number of veterans joining the VFW had soared after two world wars, Korea, and Vietnam, peaking in the early 1990s at 2.1 million in more than ten thousand posts. However, by 2023, both numbers had dropped nearly in half.
Declining rolls is partly due to VFW eligibility requirements. Membership is limited to veterans and active military members who served honorably in a recognized war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters, or specific periods in Korea. The passing of many earlier war veterans, coupled with significantly fewer American troops deploying to overseas conflicts, is substantially impacting the organization’s ranks.
The VFW was influential in establishing the Veterans Administration; developing the national cemetery system; and funding creation of many war memorials in Washington, DC. Despite dwindling membership, it recently advocated for passage of the PACT Act, providing healthcare and benefits to toxin-exposed veterans, and it continues to fight for improved VA medical services for women veterans.
Veterans & Military Support Programs enable deployed troops to call home at no charge from internet cafés around the world; assist with basic life essentials, such as mortgage and rent, home and auto repairs, utilities, food, and clothing; and promote VFW interaction within local communities.
Since 2004, the VFW has provided over $5.7M in grants to nearly 4,000 military families facing financial hardship. It assisted several hundred thousand veterans with new VA claims, and more than $64M has been awarded in disability compensation.
Each year, tens of thousands of middle and high school students compete for scholarships in Patriot’s Pen® and the Voice of Democracy essay contests.
Today, a combined estimated 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members form 5,773 VFW Posts worldwide. The Commonwealth of Virginia boasts 127, including the world’s largest: Post 1503 in Dale City. Housed within the Alexandria National Cemetery, Post 609 is the third oldest in Virginia, dating from 1920.
In addition to national programs, Post 609 participates in numerous local activities. It partners annually with local Scout troops and the Civil Air Patrol to host thousands of local residents at the Alexandria National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America, and American Flags-In before Memorial Day. It will help clean the Korean War Memorial this September 7. Recently, it spearheaded fundraising for public plaques to commemorate Alexandria Vietnam War dead, and it is currently soliciting donations for Korean and World War II plaques.
For information on Post 609 programs or VFW membership, contact Post 609 Commander Jerry Krueger at [email protected].
If you are a veteran, veteran’s family member, or know a veteran who needs help, go to Virginia Board Veterans Services at www.dvs.virginia.gov/dvs; contact American Legion Post 24 Veteran Service Officer at [email protected]; or check out the Resources List on the Post 24 website at valegionpost24.com.
For crisis intervention and suicide prevention services, dial 988 and Press 1, or text 838255, for the Veterans Crisis Line.
