Joining the Veterans of Foreign Wars
What is the V.F.W.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars includes veterans of all America's wars and recognizes expeditionary campaigns of the 20th and 21st centuries. Time and again, the organization has shown its capacity to absorb younger generations of vets, most recently from Afghanistan and Iraq.
It all began on September 29, 1899 when 13 vets of the 17th Infantry Regiment who had served in Cuba met in Columbus, Ohio to form the American Veterans of Foreign Service to ass is Spanish-American war veterans. The early founders adopted the Cross of Malta as their symbol. A merger in 1914 with like-minded vet groups from the Philippines War resulted in the birth of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Explosive growth after World War I catapulted VFW onto the national stage.
Congress officially chartered the VFW in 1936 as a fraternal, patriotic, historical and educational organization "to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead and to assist their widows and orphans .... to maintain and extend the institutions of American Freedom and to preserve and defend the United States".
A milestone was reached in 1984 when membership broke the two million mark, VFW had stayed true to its founders' intent of remaining "evergreen", rejuvenating its ranks with a fresh influx of Viet Nam veterans.
Since its founding, the VFW has fulfilled those goals and more. By maintaining its venerable traditions, the organization has passed along a proud history - a worth legacy for succeeding generations of overseas campaign veterans.
Qualifications to join the V.F.W.
How do you know if you're eligible for VFW membership? If you are an honorably discharged veteran and u.s. citizen who has served overseas in a combat zone and been awarded a campaign or service medal, served at any time in Korea or received Imminent Danger /Hostile Fire Pay, you qualify.
For an expanded list, please visit www.vfw.org or call the VFW Membership Department at (816) 756-3390.
Here are the campaign medals and other awards, since WWII, that may qualify you for VFW:
Medals
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Kosovo Campaign Medal
- Korea Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Navy & Marine Corps Expeditionary Medals
- Southwest Asia Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Korean Service Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal
- Navy Occupation Service Medal
- China Service Medal
- Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
(with foreign service clasp)
Badges & Ribbons
- Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
with Gold Border Combat Action Badge
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Combat Medical Badge
- SSBN Nuclear Deterrent Patrol Breast Insignia
Benefits of Belonging to the V.F.W.
The benefits of joining are both tangible and intangible. As a member you will receive VFW magazine monthly and may also obtain the bimonthly newsletter Checkpoint. Also, 20 benefitsranging from discounted car rental fees to a credit union to a special Member Honor Roll are available. Equally important is the sense of camaraderie and pride you will share with veterans of prior wars.
To learn more about each benefit click on each dot.
- Your Voice on Capital Hill
- National Security & Foreign Affairs
- National Veterans Employment
- Military Assistance
- Working with America's Youth
- Enhancing your Community
- Recognizing and Remembering
How to Join the V.F.W.
You can join the VFW by calling 270.753.5822 or contacting Dene Walker, Post 6291 Quartermaster by e-mail
Clicking here >
Please include the following information in your e-mail
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Email address
- Years of Service
- Service Branch