Tell Me about the VFW
Originally founded in 1899 as the American Veterans of Foreign Service, the VFW continues to be a voice for veterans, currently deployed members of our Armed Forces, and their families.
The 2.4 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries are located in 8,500 VFW Posts around the world. We are at heart an organization dedicated to providing a place for all of those who have sacrificed in our nation’s conflicts abroad. While we are a national organization, we express this dedication through our local posts and programs to support veterans service members, and their families.
Our Mission
The VFW mission is to support those who have sacrificed so much for this country—All veterans and their families.
Veteran Advocacy: Full-Time Support for Veterans
National Veteran Service: The VFW provides full-time support to veterans and their families. Our Veteran Service Officers are professional, full-time advocates who are expert at helping veterans (members and non-members alike) with their Veterans Administration claims.
They can be found at every VA Regional Office and can also be reached at 1-800-VFW-1899.
National Legislative Services: The VFW works for veterans on Capitol Hill. The VFW Washington, D.C., office has a full-time staff to monitor, lobby, and report on legislation that directly impacts our veteran community.
Support to Troops and Families: Answering the Call to Assist Our Nation’s Defenders
National Military Services: The VFW offers support and assistance to the military community through a variety of programs.
The VFW launched Operation Uplink in 1996 to connect active-duty troops and hospitalized veterans with their loved ones. Contributions from supporters purchase phone cards that are sent to those serving this great nation. In total, VFW Operation Uplink has distributed more than 8.5 million phone cards. In 2006, the VFW also began hosting “Free Call Days.” On holidays throughout the year, troops can call home—at no charge—from Internet cafes throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. Free talk time has already totaled more than 5 million minutes!
VFW Unmet Needs helps service members and their families who face unexpected financial difficulties, often as a result of unexpected or extended deployments. Military families can apply for grants of up to $2,500 to cope with emergencies and get through tough times.
VFW Military Assistance Program works to give troops and military families the help they need during long deployments and when they return. The program sponsors numerous morale-boosting sendoffs and homecomings for troops and their families. The events—which often include free entertainment, food and other festivities—are held at military bases across the nation, as well as at local VFW Posts.
Programs in Our Communities: Giving Back to Our Towns and Neighborhoods
The VFW promotes programs that help build our communities. Though we maintain a national presence, we are a grass-roots organization. A VFW Post is not a building—it is the people inside. Our programs are geared toward developing tomorrow’s leaders and recognizing those who are building that future today.
VFW gives out over $3.6 million annually through our Voice of Democracy scholarships to high-school students and Patriots Pen savings bonds to junior high and middle-school students. Candidates for these awards are nominated at the Post level and compete at the state and national levels. Finalists are invited to VFW ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
Community service takes many forms, from volunteering at local VA hospitals to volunteering in community clean-ups. VFW members volunteer over 13 million hours annually in their communities.
The VFW also offers recognition to leaders in our community. These awards go to teachers, police officers, firefighters, and emergency response personnel who have distinguished themselves through their dedication and service.
Texas VFW
Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated to making our communities and our nation a great place to live.
Did you know that:
• Texas VFW Posts have donated over $580,000.00 since 2004 for emergency financial assistance to our troops.
• Texas VFW performed over 46,700 hours of volunteer support for the military last year.
• Texas VFW donated over $247,000.00 for military support functions.
• Texas VFW has provided over $82,000.00 in financial grants to veterans severely affected by Hurricanes in Texas.
• Texas VFW provided over $17,500.00 in direct aid to military units for activities.
• Texas VFW donated over $117,600.00 to purchase phone cards for our troop’s stationed overseas and disabled veterans in VA hospitals.
• Texas VFW sponsored a free call home day (Labor Day 2008) for troops stationed in Iraq & Afghanistan totaling 92,123 calls.
• Texas VFW is a strong supporter for the Fischer Houses at Ft. Hood, Ft. Bliss and Ft. Sam Houston.
• Texas VFW donates more than 3 million dollars annually in community service activities.
• Texas VFW provides over $225,000.00 in scholarships for Texas youth.
• Texas VFW provides a no cost Service Officer Program for Texas Veterans to ensure all entitlements and benefits earned are awarded.
• Texas VFW conducts a teacher recognition program that honors teachers for excellence in teaching citizenship and patriotism to their students.
• Texas VFW supports all Scouting programs, youth athletic teams, JROTC and many other youth programs.
• Texas VFW works closely with the Texas Veterans Commission to ensure that every Texas Veteran is taken care of ranging from disability claims, job training and employment to education benefits.
• Texas VFW works just as closely with the Texas Veterans Land Board to ensure that every Texas Veteran receives low cost home and land loans, state of the art Veteran homes and burial benefits in Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
• Texas VFW has over 90,000 members in 403 Posts statewide and it is through the strength of our membership that we continue to provide the support and legislative measures that ensure our veterans are recognized and rewarded for their service.