Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America

Annual Report • Chapter Search • Convention Information • VFW History • VFW Membership Requirements

VFW Mission Statement: The objectives of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution are promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. We accomplish our mission through over 2,700 chapters in the US and twelve foreign countries. Our Americana Collection houses over 5,000 documents focusing on early America. The DAR Library includes 160,000 volumes of genealogical information. The DAR Museum, which is free and open to the public, is home to a collection of over 30,000 objects and 31 Period Rooms prior to 1840.

VFW Mission Motto: God, Home, and Country

Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquarters

VFW HQ Address/VFW Map:	VFW Online
1776 D Street NW Washington, D.C. 20006
Telephone: (202) 628 1776	Make a donation VFW EIN: 44-0474290
VFW Date Founded:	1899
VFW Congressionally Chartered:	May 28, 1936 36 U.S. Code Chapter 2301
VFW Leadership:
Commander-in-Chief:	Brian J. Duffy
VFW Website

Top of page ↑
VFW History:
The VFW was reorganized in 1913 as the result of a series of mergers of previous veterans organizations which consisted of veterans of the Spanish–American War and the Philippine Insurrection.[citation needed] The VFW modeled its organization, terminology and ritual on the Grand Army of the Republic—an organization for veterans of all ranks who had served in the American Civil War, but kept the “foreign” aspect of the organization, which excluded Civil War veterans. The VFW grew rapidly after the First World War with hundreds of thousands eligible veterans returning from the war.[citation needed] As the American Legion was originally composed exclusively of First World War veterans, this led to a friendly rivalry between the VFW and the American Legion as they competed for members and recognition as the premier veterans organization in the United States.[citation needed] Between the two world wars, the VFW focused on advocating for benefits for veterans as well as combating communism.[citation needed] After the Second World War, millions more veterans were eligible to join the VFW. Membership steadily grew after the war peaking at about 2.5 million in 1993 with over 10,000 posts (local chapters) being established nationwide.[citation needed] During the turbulent 1960s era, the VFW supported the American involvement in the Vietnam War and condemned the counterculture trends of the era.[citation needed] Many VFW posts were unwilling to accept Vietnam veterans afterwards, but became more open to them as older veterans died off or their health did not permit them to attend meetings. By the 2000s, the VFW faced a membership crisis due to the aging of World War II and Korean War veterans and the lack of enrollment from veterans of more recent conflicts.
Top of page ↑
VFW Membership Eligibility Requirements:
The fundamental difference between our organization and other veterans organizations, and one in which we take great pride, is our eligibility qualifications. VFW welcomes all who meet our eligibility criteria. It’s through service to this country that all our membership has earned their elite status. If you have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay, then you’re eligible to join our ranks. Today’s DAR and You! (PDF) Prospective Member Information Request Form Questions? write to membership@dar.org On the Web: http://www.dar.org/national-society/become-member/how-join http://www.dar.org/national-society/become-member/how-join
Number of Chapters:	3,385
Members:	1,234,985

Annual National Meeting: