About Us
The VFW has an impeccable and longstanding record of service and stewardship. More than 4 million patriotic Americans, both members and non-members, entrust the VFW with financial contributions and dedicate millions of volunteer hours.
 Over the last decade, approximately 80% of support received from VFW members and patriotic Americanswas applied directly to veterans service, community service, legislative advocacy and military service programs worldwide. |
1,549Number of VFW-accredited representatives across the country helping veterans fight for the VA benefits they have earned. |
1,891,885Number of service members and their family members hosted at VFW Military Assistance Program (MAP) events since 2005. |
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$6.9 billionThe amount in VA benefits the VFW network helped more than 284,000 veterans recover in the last three years. |
$3.3 millionAmount of scholarships, monetary awards and other incentives the VFW distributes annually to middle and high school students through two major patriotic essay competitions. |
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$5.1 millionValue of financial assistance awarded to military families since 2004 to help cover basic needs in times of crisis. Nearly half of the funds covered basic housing needs. |
28Number of times the VFW has testified before Congress in the last 12 months alone. The VFW has been instrumental in virtually every major legislative victory for veterans in the 20th and 21st centuries. |
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$800,000+Amount of scholarships awarded to more than 200 veterans and service members through the VFW “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” program since January 2014. |
7.5+ millionNumber of connections between deployed service members and loved ones made possible by the VFW’s “Free Call Days.” |
Buddy Poppys
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 Canada. 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 VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. The plan was formally adopted during the VFW's 1923 encampment. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.
In February 1924, the VFW registered the name "Buddy Poppy" with the U.S. Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name "Buddy" Poppy.
Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.
The minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and widows of our nation's veterans.
Click here to find out more about the Buddy Poppy Programs
VFW National Home for Children
- The VFW National Home for Children serves as a living memorial to America’s veterans by helping our nation’s veteran and military families.
Since its founding in 1925, the VFW National Home for Children has grown from an old frame farm house to a sprawling campus with playgrounds, park areas, and multiple buildings, including single-family homes, a community center and gymnasium, child care center, guest lodge, chapel and administrative offices.
The National Home’s services have also evolved to meet the changing needs of America’s military and veterans’ families. Through our Helpline and our on-campus programs, we are able to help families and children through times of crisis, both here on our beautiful campus and in their own communities nationwide.
Click here to find out more about our National Children's home
Principles
The companionship of fellow Warriors is but one facet of the VFW, albeit an important one.
Flag Education
On June 14, 1777, the Marine Committee of the Continental Congress adopted a resolution that gave birth to our national flag. The resolution read: "Resolved that the flag of the United States be made of 13 stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." Flags and flag education are important elements of the VFW's Citizenship Education program. In fact, flags are the most commonly requested items from the VFW's Emblem and Supply Department, which sells more than 250,000 flags each year.
Patriotic Days
Fostering patriotism and honoring America's veterans, whether it is Independence Day or Veterans Day, is part of the VFW's philosophical core. Public commemorations hosted by VFW Posts worldwide cultivate an appreciation of both the responsibilities and benefits of being an American. Community Service The VFW has a rich tradition associated with community service, working closely with other national 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 with volunteerism 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 partners with the National Rifle Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Firefighters and the Salvation Army.
Citizenship
There are numerous projects and services that VFW Posts and its Auxiliaries offer to promote citizenship in the local community and educational facilities. Learn about flag facts and the history behind national patriotic holidays such as Loyalty Day, Independence Day and Memorial Day. Find out how today's teachers are promoting citizenship education in the classrooms.
VFW Scholarship Programs
Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition and the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest, garnering more than $3.4 million in scholarships and incentives.
In addition, the VFW honors an outstanding scout through the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program. 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.
Click here to find out more about scholarship programs availability.
Veterans In Crisis
Veterans Crisis Line
If you are a Service member or Veteran in crisis or you’re concerned about one, there are specially trained responders ready to help you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Veterans Crisis Line connects Service members and Veterans in crisis, as well as their family members and friends, with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text-messaging service.
Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone.
Send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder.
Start a confidential online chat session at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Contact Us
Interested in finding out more about our local VFW post right here in Jefferson, Oregon? Use the form below to contact us!