The VFW resulted from the amalgamation of several societies formed immediately following the Spanish–American War. In 1899, little groups of veterans returning from campaigning in Cuba and the Philippine Islands, founded local societies upon a spirit of comradeship known only to those who faced the dangers of that war side by side. Similar experiences and a common language drew them together.[2] The American Veterans of Foreign Service (predecessor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) was established in Columbus, Ohio, September 29, 1899, by Spanish‑American War veteran James C. Putnam.[10] The Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines, was organized in Denver, Colorado, on December 12, 1899. Shortly thereafter, a society known as the Foreign Service Veterans was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October 1901. The Ohio based group and the Pittsburgh based group held a join convention in 1905, where the two groups merged. Merging the final two groups was talked about as early as 1908 but wasn't accomplished until 1913.[11] In August of 1913 an encampment was held in Denver and they merged their interests and identities in a national organization now known as the VFW.[2]


Purpose
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The purpose of the VFW is to speed rehabilitation of the nation's disabled and needy veterans, assist veterans' widows and orphans and the dependents of needy or disabled veterans, and promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism and by constructive service to local communities. The organization maintains both its legislative service and central office of its national rehabilitation service in Washington, D.C. The latter nationwide program serves disabled veterans of all wars, members and nonmembers alike, in matters of government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, civil-service employment preference, etc."

Help A Hero Scholarship
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Established in 2014, the VFW's Help A Hero Scholarship provides service members and veterans with financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive U.S. student loan debt.[28]

1 Student Veteran
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To help ensure student veterans receive their benefits in a timely manner and have a place to turn to if they need help, the VFW, in conjunction with the Student Veterans of America (SVA), have developed the 1 Student Veteran program. 1 Student Veteran offers direct assistance to student veterans who have questions or are experiencing problems accessing their VA benefits.[28]

VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
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The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship grants ten exemplary student veterans (fellows) the chance to join the VFW legislative team on Capitol Hill during the VFW Legislative Conference. The fellows will walk the halls of Congress, educating their legislators on the issues facing today's student veterans and have the opportunity to meet with policy-makers from federal agencies responsible for implementing veterans' policy.

The Cross of Malta is the VFW's official emblem.[12] The cross, radiating rays, and Great Seal of the United States together symbolize the character, vows and purposes distinguishing VFW as an order of warriors who have traveled far from home to defend sacred principles. Its eight points represent the beatitudes prescribed in the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the pure, the merciful, the peacemakers; blessed are they who mourn, seek righteousness and are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The eight-pointed Cross of Malta harks back to the Crusades, launched during the 12th century.[#God #Jesus #Faith #american #vietnam #war #support #usa #thankyouforyourservice #veterans #army #navy #marines #usaf #pilot #extreme #jet #fighterjet #airplane #russia #ukraine #japan #china #technology #entrepeneur #godblessamerica #tripadvisor #travel #military #aviation #airshow #museum #helicopter #helicopteros #helicopterpilot #foryou #mybloopers #youtubeshorts #love #texas #houston #california #sandiego #turbine #photography #history #sf #2023 #strong #aviones #f22 #f22raptor #specialforces #ai #artificial #b25 #bomber #twinengine #nasa #robot #elonmusk #astronaut #universe #science #thunderbirds #f16 #topgun #maverick #blueangels #f18superhornet #supersonic #trendingsong #trending #trend #reels #tiktok #trendingvideo #trendingreels #russia #ukraine #china #shorts #trendingshorts #top #science #technology