Celebrating 125 years of service: The VFW’s Legacy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —  On Sept. 29, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will celebrate its 125th birthday, marking a significant milestone for the organization that still stands as the largest and most established organization of combat veterans in the United States.

Headquartered in Kansas City, the VFW was founded in 1899 by 13 veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection.

The VFW was created to address the needs of veterans who returned home sick, wounded, or without medical care, and the organization’s mission was to advocate for better treatment for veterans and provide support for families of those killed in combat.

Throughout the lifespan of the organization, the efforts of VFW have been essential in the passage of significant veterans’ legislation, including the G.I. Bill of Rights, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The VFW has over 1 million members worldwide, offering various services. Their network of VA-accredited service officers raises 13 billion dollars annually in VA disability compensation and benefits for their families.

Since 2004, the VFW has provided over 13 million dollars to military families. Additionally, the organization has awarded more than 13.8 million dollars in scholarships to over 2,700 veterans since 2014, while donating over 45 million dollars each year to local service projects.

The 125th anniversary is a testament to VFW’s commitment to being a vital resource and advocacy service for the veteran community.

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