The VFW is so much more than a place to get
refreshments. The VFW has a long list of accomplishments that have helped
veterans, military personnel and their families. The VFW reaches out to all
veterans—including those who have served in the War on Terror—to serve,
represent and support them. Our mission of "honoring the dead by helping
the living” is just as vital today to veterans, military troops and the
community than it has ever been. We exist to serve others first and
foremost through VFW programs and activities, not just as a social
gathering spot. All Posts are urged to follow this mission of impacting
lives through service and outreach.
The VFW is very active on the legislative front. Most
of the state and federal benefits that veterans, troops and their families
receive is due in part from the VFW’s fighting hard to make sure
politicians deliver what they promised. Every year, we visit the nation’s
Capitol and testify before Congress to make sure our veterans and their
families get the highest possible level of support from government
agencies. We are fighting to make sure the VA health system provides
veterans with the best healthcare they were promised. We also make sure
legislation to pass more costs on to veterans is defeated because veterans
deserve the support of a grateful nation. We urge the VA system to better
manage its patient caseload to reduce backlogs and to ensure that veterans
get the best possible quality in healthcare. We hold politicians
accountable when they don’t hold true to promises they made during
election campaigns.
We help veterans, troops and their loved ones learn
about and receive the benefits and services from the government. We
represent them before the VA and will even guide them through the claims appeals
process. VFW Service Officers help veterans to recover an average of $30
million in federal benefits each year.
We also working hard in the state government to
ensure that veterans receive the highest possible level of service from
state agencies. We continue to ask the Legislature and Governor to fully
fund a State grant program that expands our network of State Service
Officers so we can reach deeper into rural areas and meet with elderly and
disabled veterans in their homes. We support the continuation—and where
needed the expansion—of programs that assist aging veterans, unemployed
veterans and homeless veterans.
Every year, VFW units in PA contribute millions
of dollars in donations and volunteer service to make life better for
people from all walks of life by making communities safer, giving youth
positive programs to participate in, helping needy families, supporting
charities and doing much more. Many Posts donate funds annually to police
departments, fire companies, ambulance services, food pantries, homeless
shelters, projects helping less fortunate and disabled persons, and many
more causes.
The VFW works hard to improve the lives of
veterans including disabled veterans, homeless veterans and those
suffering from post traumatic stress symptoms. No one knows better the
struggles that combat veterans live with than other combat veterans. This
common bond is shared regardless of what war a veteran fought in. The VFW
is a foundation of support for veterans experiencing hardship. We can also
help their families to understand and support their loved one who is a
combat veteran. We provide disabled veterans with transportation and other
assistance. We help veterans suffering from traumatic stress and brain
injuries to adjust to their civilian life.
The VFW supports those serving our nation today
as well as their families. We adopt military units and support their
families to make deployments a little less stressful. The VFW gives out
emergency grants to help military families make ends meet during and after
deployments. We attend military functions to show our gratitude for their
service. We give free introductory memberships to veterans of the War on
Terror or service in UN Peacekeeping areas. We’re showing that the VFW is
not just an organization for the older veterans, but for veterans of all
ages. We want to include entire families in our activities and we support
the families when their loved ones are called to duty overseas.
The VFW is proud that veterans 45 years old and
younger make up the largest growing segment of the VFW membership. We use
our web site, our Facebook page, blast emails and our State Service
Officers to serve younger veterans. They know about our service programs
and how we supported them and their families while they were deployed.
They will find resources on our web site and our Facebook page that keeps
them updated on issues important to their futures and to their well being.
Many younger veterans are joining the even though
they don’t intend to go to the post. They know that with the VFW working
behind the scenes for their rights and their benefits that being a member
will pay off for them today and in the future.
The support we receive from younger veterans will
help us to stay strong so the VFW will be around to serve future
generations of veterans. The participation of younger veterans is welcomed
and will play a large role in what the VFW will be in the future. They
fought as hard and as well as veterans from our previous wars and we look
forward to them coming into our VFW ranks to follow in our footsteps.
VFW posts across the state are preparing today’s
students to be future leaders and responsible citizens. We hold annual
writing and speech contests for junior high and high school students that
focus them on patriotism and the role of veterans in keeping most of the
world free. These contests provide students with much-needed scholarship
money. Last year, VFW Voice of Democracy and Our Patriot’s Pen speech contest for junior high students
also puts thousands of dollars into the hands students each year. We have
special award programs that recognize the tremendous role that teachers
play in preparing students to lead America forward. Outside of the
classroom many youth benefit from VFW sponsored sports teams and events
held by VFW posts. Children suffering from diseases and from poverty
benefit from VFW donations.
Our veterans visit classrooms, perform in
patriotic parades, maintain veterans monuments and do other community
service to keep the flame of patriotism burning bright. The VFW is a
constant reminder of the role that veterans and freedom have made America
such a wonderful place to live.
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