VFW

Last week my wife and I had the opportunity to attend the Veterans of Foreign Wars Mid-Winter Conference held in Boise. Despite having been a sometimes active VFW member since the mid-seventies, I’ve never been to one of these shindigs before, I really didn’t know just what to expect, and the conference was an eye opener for this ‘ol country boy. For one thing, I got to meet a lot of VIP’s (including the National Commander George Lisicki), and I learned a lot about the internal workings of the organization. I also got a much better idea of just how serious the VFW is about our military veterans who are still serving America in non-military ways.

While the VFW and the American Legion are two of the better known veterans organizations, there are plenty of other groups out there. A quick search of the internet reveals more than 40 organizations nationwide that are currently recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as veteran’s service organizations. Many people consider these veterans organizations to be marching and drinking societies, where the members (generally a bunch of old soldiers), do little more than sit around the clubhouse swilling beer and telling the same tired old war hero stories that everyone’s already heard dozens of times. And I’ll admit that happens, with a very few members, and on rare occasions. But these groups are a lot more than just social clubs. They are after all, Service Organizations. Personally I’m much more familiar with the VFW than any other group, so I’ll speak about them, but remember that the following generally pertains to all veterans organizations.

The VFW provides numerous services to both veterans as well as to active duty military personnel and their families. Each post has a service officer readily available to assist veterans, members and non-members alike, in filing for their veterans benefits, whether it’s for a service connected disability, GI Educational benefits, vocational rehab, military life insurance, or whatever. The three main efforts of the VFW Military Services department are, the Military Assistance Program which has helped fund Farewell and Welcome Home gatherings for military units worldwide. Operation Uplink, which provides free, pre-paid phone cards to service members, and Unmet Needs, which can give a one-time grant of up to $2,500 to qualifying service members and their families that are experiencing financial hardship.

Fostering patriotism and honoring America's veterans, whether it’s on Memorial Day, Independence Day or Veterans Day, is part of the VFW's philosophy. Public commemorations hosted by VFW Posts worldwide cultivate an appreciation of the responsibilities and benefits of being an American. The flags you see lining Grangeville’s Main Street on national holidays are purchased, maintained, posted, and recovered by members of the VFW and American Legion. Our local Memorial Day ceremonies are hosted by the VFW and Legion as well. Flags and flag etiquette are important components of the VFW's Citizenship Education program. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives. Additionally the VFW honors an outstanding scout each year through the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program. The VFW has a longstanding tradition of community service, working closely with other organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, America Supports You and America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth. Constructive community service is a founding VFW tenet benefiting education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects. The VFW's citizenship education program is designed to stimulate an interest in America's history, its traditions and institutions, as well as promote patriotism. The VFW also works closely with the National Rifle Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Firefighters and the Salvation Army.

There are numerous projects and services that VFW Posts and its Auxiliaries offer to promote citizenship in the local community and educational facilities. Besides the VFW's outstanding scholarship programs, Posts and Auxiliaries across the nation work with youth in scouting, sports, ROTC and military cadet programs. By providing leaders, funding, sponsorships and other resources, the VFW and its Auxiliaries encourage millions of America's young adults to higher ideals and greater personal achievement.

Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of the Canadian Army following WW I. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen. For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. In 1923 the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals nationwide.

Just who are these veterans anyway? Well, they’re your friends and neighbors, along with probably more than just a few relatives. The VFW was started by returning veterans of the Spanish-American war, and has included veterans of every war this nation has been involved with ever since, including the current unpleasantness in Iraq and Afghanistan. They’re people who once wore the uniform of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Nowadays there are a lot of women who are full members of the VFW as well. They’re all people who once, at great personal risk, served this nation in uniform, and today, now in civilian clothes, continue to serve our country. They’re simply Americans, who, timeworn as the phrase may be, are patriotic citizens who strongly believe in the greatness, the strength, and the promise of our country.

Volunteering our time, efforts, and even our hard earned money is an American tradition that dates back to colonial days, with the militia and firefighting being the best known historically. Yet how many pioneers, arriving at their new home, found the neighbors quickly gathering to help build a cabin or raise a barn? If someone was sick or injured the neighbors again responded, to gather in a crop, do the chores, or care for the family. We have a quite admirable national culture of helping ourselves, our relatives, our neighbors, and the community. Veterans organizations are nothing more than a fraternal extension of that culture.

If you’re a veteran, and not a member of the VFW, perhaps you should consider joining. If so, please contact me, and I’d be glad to help get you started. If you’re an inactive member, perhaps you should get active again.

Veterans, forever serving.