Join the VFW: Find Out How and Why Here!

[Guest]

[Ross Myers]

VFW Membership

Those Who Fought Together - Belong Together

It's not the price you pay for membership - it's the price you pay to be eligible.

Purpose of the VFW

The objects of this Corporation are fraternal, patriotic, historical and educational:

    * To preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members
    * To assist worthy comrades
    * To perpetuate the memory and history of our dead and to assist their widows and orphans
    * To maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America and fidelity to its Constitution and laws
    * To foster true patriotism
    * To maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom
    * To preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies, whomsoever.
 

Membership Benefits

Reasons to Join the VFW:

   1. Availability of the expert help of State and National VFW Service Officers, as well as the Service Officer in your own Post, if you should need hospital care, educational, pension or other benefits for which you may wish to file a claim.

   2. VFW help in protecting existing veteran benefits that you now receive, or that you may be entitled to in the future, through the effort of our VFW National Legislative Service in Washington, DC and your own VFW State Legislative Committee.

   3. An opportunity to take an active part in your VFW Post's patriotic, community service, and youth activity programs.

   4. An opportunity to become an officer of your Post, thereby developing your talents as a competent public speaker and respected civic leader in your community.

   5. Satisfaction in knowing that you are supporting an organization that  fights for maximum defense and security of our country.

   6. Free admission of your children to the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, in the event of your death, with complete assurance that they will have every opportunity to grow up as proud, healthy and educated citizens.

   7. Receiving the VFW Magazine which keeps you informed on all matters pertaining to your status as a veteran and subjects close to your heart as a patriotic American.

   8. Multiple Insurance plans sponsored by the VFW including our $1,000 Personal Accident Protection offered to all VFW members in good standing.

   9. VFW Approved Prescription Drug and Vitamin (VFW BeneVets Card) Program.

  10. Newest Member Benefits - Discounted Merchandise and Buying Program and VFW Travel Services (Non-Insurance VFW Benefits).

  11. Social functions hosted by the Post or District.  Activities for yourself as well as members of your family at a minimal cost.

  12. The feeling of true comradeship that exists only among veterans who served overseas in time of war.

  13. The opportunity for your wife, daughter, granddaughter, mother or sister to join the Ladies Auxiliary, which works hand-in-hand with Post members in all VFW functions and programs.

VFW membership is available to all U.S. Citizens, honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces and who have earned an overseas campaign medal as indicated from the following chart found here: http://www.vfw.state.mn.us/membership.html

If you have questions as to your eligibility to join..... post them here and and a member will respond promptly.

[Redmaxx 7546]

We are the veterans' advocate and have helped make today's veterans' benefits a reality. Your support helps us continue that path.

Historically, our membership roll call has included notable veterans like Alvin York, Audie Murphy, Carl Sandburg and John Glenn and eight U.S. presidents including Theodore Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford and George Bush.

Truman saw VFW membership as a "source of pride and personal satisfaction because of the high ideals that have been exemplified throughout the lifetime of the VFW." John F. Kennedy equated VFW with America's freedom and security. Whether on the battlefield or in the classroom, our members are there, ever-ready to help those in need.

VFW membership is available to all U.S. servicemembers who have earned an overseas campaign or expeditionary medal and are currently on active-duty, in the Reserves or who have been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.

Those deployed in Iraq and Afghanstian are eligible for VFW membership, as well as those who have earned the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border (AFESR w/GB), the Combat Action Badge (CAB) and the SSBN Nuclear Deterrent Patrol Breast Insignia. A 1995 VFW Congressional Charter amendment makes eligible all those who have served 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days on the Korean peninsula or in its territorial waters from June 30, 1949, until the present.

Besides meeting the above requirement, the servicemember must be an U.S. citizen.

Membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars entitles you to a free $1,000/$1,500 personal accident protection policy; personal assistance securing government benefits and entitlements for veterans; discounts on car rentals and hotel stays; and substantial insurance discounts, including pet insurance. In addition, you also receive a free subscription to VFW Magazine and enables you to join the Pentagon Federal Credit union.

Want to join?
Find out if you are eligible by clicking here
If you are eligible click here to join.

http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=mbr.levelc&cid=197

[IJK3770]

You guys go on and on but the main numero uno reason to join the VFW is because 2.4 million of us need your support in keeping the politicians feet to the fire to make sure that those coming from home from this current conflict (plus those from earlier conflicts) get the care and help they need.  The Politicians won't take care of them if we do not make them.  Numbers count because the Politicians know that veterans vote.  Please join and help us help those veterans that need us.
Cheerily
IJK

[emm5993]

Hey, don't forget to tell the girls besides the guys to sign up and support your local VFW. Remember women Veterans also served. So we need the women to help with the VFW also.

[dancingwolf38]

I recently tried to enroll  on line at the national web site,as a member but it has been 2 months and I havent heard anything from them also they never charged my card for the fee. I am moving to Grants Pass Oregon at the end of the month should I try again at the local chapter?

[IJK3770]

I would recommend that you contact the post there and join.  Thanks for trying through the website.  I hadn't heard of anyone else that had joined that way (or tried)  Has anyone that reads this joined online?  or had the same troubles as dancingwolf38?
Cheerily
IJK

[DoggyDaddy]

 I recommend joining a local Post in Oregon and getting a Life Membership.  Being a member of a Post is better than being a Member at Large (MAL).  A Post search of ZIP 97526 shows two VFW Post in the area.  Check them both out and see how they compare and which you prefer.


They be:

   Del Rogue Post   2302
721 Denver Ave
Grants Pass, OR 97526
(541) 474-4425   

  Rogue River Post   4116
410 E Main St
PO Box 435
Rogue River, OR 97537
(541) 582-0689   
10.36 miles   from Grants Pass

  Wishing you safe travels.

[emm5993]

Your right BlogMaster!

Those Who Fought Together - Belong Together

It's not the price you pay for membership - it's the price you pay to be eligible.

[ErikHeiker]

I have always wondered why someone who spent a year in Korea, or longer if accompanied, is eligible for membership.  I understand the truce thing, but come on, there hasn't been a war going on since 1953.  It's just another overseas posting without being in a combat zone.  What percentage of VFW membership has only their post-armistice time in Korea to qualify them for membership?  Am I the only one to wonder, or is this a contentious issue that plagues the VFW?

[Redmaxx 7546]

There are members of the military killed every year as a result of the North Korean boarder guards. I believe that is the reason that they are eligible. I don't know if they recieve hazardous duty pay for being in Korea or not.

[easingwr670]

A little story--
Ex-NC State Governor, US Senator, and Post 670 member Terry Sanford and I were talking 20 years ago about the declining membership of the VFW. I asked him if Congress would ever approve a change in the criteria for membership. His reply was-"Congress would rather see the VFW die out" He was meaning -NO WARS, NO MEMBERSHIP. Then Korea was added to the approved list. Now we have Iraq/Afgan. Prosoective membership is up once again.

[Redmaxx 7546]

Thank you for sharing. That is an interesting story.

[IJK3770]

If you wish to join the VFW and do not like the nearest Post to you because of one reason or another I will welcome you to join Post 3770 in Mtn Grove, MO.  We have several members from other states.  We work hard at doing what a VFW Post is supposed to do.  Our meetings are attended by members of all generations and conflicts.  We do not seem to have the generational conflicts that seem to plague so many posts.  We DO NOT have a bar - that is not our purpose, but we also have nothing against those who do.  If you would like to check us out and see the things we do accomplish go to www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post3770  We have 99 entries on our web log so at 7 entries per page you will find it is very deep with many pages to look through.
   Our annual dues are $23.00 a year.  That includes the magazine subscription for the National magazine and our own quarterly newsletter.  Remember it is not important if you are never able to attend a meeting but to lend a sort of moral support to our mission.
  You can either contact me through the personal message option here at the forums or leave a comment on the web log or here and I will try to make contact with you.
Cheerily
IJK

[depthcharge711]

Hello everyone,
My service time included May 1997 to Jul 2007.  Was onboard submarines, were I earned my expiditionary medal from service overseas from sept 2004 to december 2004.  Have since been discharged from the service with a combat related injury that was sustained onboard the submarine.  Do I qualify to join your elite group?

[IJK3770]

The expeditionary medal should qualify you for membership.  You will need to check with someone else though to be sure.  Try calling National HQ.  They should be able to confirm or deny your status to join.  Find a post you would like to join and I wish you good luck and bid you welcome.
Cheerily
IJK