The
original name of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States was the American Veterans of Foreign Service ( AVFS ).
It was formed in 1899 by 13 veterans of the Spanish-American
war, mostly of the 17th infantry regiment. Key events that
followed are:
1914: Veterans of Foreign Wars is formally
born from merger of the AVFS ( Ohio-Pennsylvania ) and army of
the Phillippines ( Denver ) at the Pittsburgh convention in
September. Ladies Auxillary also is formed. General order 10 had
changed the name on Aug 1 after a post vote.
1917:
Theodore Roosevelt becomes a member. The ex-president joins in
July in Pittsburgh. He is the first of eight U.S. Presidents to
eventually join the VFW. The others are: Harry S. Truman,
Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard
M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford & George H.W. Bush.
1925: VFW national home in Eaton Rapids, Mich. Begins its tradition of caring for families in need.
1930:
Veterans Administration ( VA ) is created after strong
advocacy by the VFW. VA incorporates the veterans bureau.
1931: VFW succeeds in its campaign to make the star-spangled banner the national anthem.
1938: Armistice Day ( Nov 11 ) becomes a legal holiday ( pl 510 ) after a 20 year campaign waged by the VFW.
1944:
GI bill of rights ( pl 346 ) provides unprecedented benefits
to WW2 veterans. The VFW is instrumental in its passage.
1946:
Membership in the VFW reaches more than 1.5 million in the
immediate aftermath of WW2, which boosted the ranks by 728 %
from 1941.
1950: Life membership is instituted - an innovation to attract and retain members.
1954:
Nov 11 is designated Veterans Day ( pl 380 ) to honor
veterans of WW2, Korea and subsequent wars.1978: Women are
formally admitted to the VFW.
1984: Membership passes the 2 million mark.
1995:
Patriot’s Pen, an essay writing contest is created for 7th
& 8th graders to express their views about democracy.
1998: Voice of democracy gives $2.6 million in college scholarships and prizes to students in every state.
1999: The VFW celebrates its 100th anniversary highlighted by the National Convention in Kansas City, MO.
2004: National World War 2 memorial is dedicated on may 29th. The VFW donated $ 6 million.
2008:
Post- 9 / 11 veterans educational assistance act ( pl 110-52 )
signed into law June 25, provides generous education benefits
for Iraq & Afghanistan veterans. Such a bill had been fought
for by the VFW for 10 years before passage.
2013: Stolen Valor Act ( pl 113-12 ) signed June 3, restores protection to military awards for valor.
