We trace our roots back to 1899, when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. There was no medical care or veterans' pension, and they were left to care for themselves. In their misery, they banded together and formed organizations that would one day become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. Today, membership stands at more than 1.5 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary. The VFW was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration and developing the national cemetery system in the fight for compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and those diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century gave expanded educational benefits to America's active duty service members and members of the guard and reserves fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The VFW was the driving force behind the Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014 and continually fought for improved VA medical center services for women veterans. Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II, and Women in Military Service memorials, in 2005, the VFW became the first veteran's service organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010. And in 2015, we became the first supporter of the National Desert Storm War Memorial, which is planned for construction in our nation's capital. The VFW has many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members, and their families, as well as communities worldwide.
