The Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW, is an American organization whose members are current or former members of the U.S. armed forces. To be eligible for membership, an individual must have earned an overseas campaign or expeditionary medal, and must either currently be on active duty or in the Reserves, or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. VFW once forbade atheists from joining, but in January of 2004, they recinded this policy. By specifying overseas service, the organization excluded veterans from the American Civil War. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ...
The VFW was formed in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish-American War. 1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Spanish-American War took place in 1898, and resulted in the United States of America gaining control over the former colonies of Spain in the Caribbean and Pacific. ...
VFW works on behalf of American veterans by lobbying Congress for better veterans' health care and benefits. The VFW also maintains a nation-wide organization of employees and volunteers to assist veterans with their VA disability claims. VFW also donates hundreds of thousands of dollars and millions of hours for community service. One of their most popular programs, Operation Uplink, provides free phone cards to overseas servicemembers.
As veterans and soon to be veterans, you have placed the nation's security before your own lives.
VFW members come from all over the country, and both sides of the political aisle -- yet your position on the war is clear.
In a recent resolution, the VFW declared, "it is critical that the United States succeed in Iraq, which will result in stability and security in the region." I appreciate your support for the mission in Iraq, and so do our troops in the fight.
VFW's mission is to honor the dead by helping the living, and VFW members are making good on that promise every day.
No veteran who served in the blazing heat or bitter cold of foreign lands should have to live without shelter in the very country whose freedom they fought for.
As veterans of foreignwars, you know that the rise of liberty is critical to our national security.
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