'Taking Care of Veterans First'
The passage of the Honoring Our Pact Act in 2022 included a provision known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). The CLJA allows veterans, family members and contractors suffering from the effects...
View ArticleVFW Says Don't Pay for Your Benefits
VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento issued a powerful statement to veterans in November: Don't Feed the Sharks.Sarmiento's message refers specifically to what VFW has dubbed "claim sharks," which...
View ArticleVFW Service Officers Train to Navigate VA Bureaucracy so You Don't Have To
Twice each year, hundreds of VFW Accredited Service Officers from around the world attend a week-long course in Annapolis, Maryland. The training is necessary for many reasons, but VFW National...
View ArticleVFW Washington Conference App Now Available
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - With its 2024 Washington Conference just weeks away, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has launched its updated mobile event app to give attendees the tools needed to make the most...
View ArticleVFW Action Alert: Claim Sharks Are Illegal
Claim Shark companies have made statements that they aren't breaking the law because they don't charge fees for "preparing" veterans' claims. Claim Sharks state that they "assist" or "consult" for...
View Article'Let Us Take The Lead'
Despite inclement weather and frigid temperatures, more than 100 veterans attended the first-ever VFW Department of Missouri's District 5 "Veterans Helping Veterans."Held on the manicured lawn of the...
View ArticleVFW DAV and PVA Release Independent Budget Recommendations for the Department...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leading veterans service organizations, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), today released The Independent...
View ArticleVFW Poised with 2024 Priority Goals for Congress
WASHINGTON - Hundreds of members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and its Auxiliary will assemble in the nation's capital next week for the annual VFW Washington Conference, held from March 3 - 7....
View ArticleVFW Calls on Congress to 'Meet the Challenge' for Veterans
WASHINGTON - With a sea of member caps behind him, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento delivered the VFW's legislative priorities during testimony before the 118th...
View ArticleLevin Receives VFW Congressional Award
WASHINGTON -The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) presented its 2024 Congressional Award to Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) for his steadfast support to veterans, service members, their families and survivors."I...
View ArticleVFW Auxiliary Member Advocates for Military Survivors
A VFW Auxiliary member in January testified at a congressional hearing and highlighted the challenges she and others have faced as members of military and veteran families.Gabriella Kubinyi testified...
View ArticleVA Distributes $174 Million for Suicide Prevention Grants
VA in January announced the start of a new program that could provide community-based suicide prevention resources needed for veterans and their families across the country.The VFW-backed Staff...
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'Small But Mighty'
As VFW prepares to kick off its 125th year of service, VFW magazine is launching in this issue a "Destination Post Series." The series will feature 125 VFW Posts located in sought-after tourist...
View ArticleChief's Commentary: Aid for Allies Must Include Support for American Defenders
WASHINGTON - On April 23, the Senate passed $95 billion in funding to support our allies in Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, an aid package the House worked overtime to pass three days earlier. Many who...
View ArticleVFW Expresses Concern Over Erroneous VA Bonuses
WASHINGTON - In light of the recent Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General report of funding improperly paid to senior executives last year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)...
View ArticleVFW Demands Action on Major Richard Star Act
VFW on March 5 held a press conference on Capitol Hill to address a critical disparity that has long plagued many retired veterans.If passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden, the...
View ArticleVFW Chief Asks Congress to 'Fight for Those Who Served'
VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento addressed a joint hearing of the House and Senate VA committees on March 6 during the 2024 VFW Washington Conference.Sarmiento began his testimony by thanking...
View ArticleVFW Kicks Off 125th Anniversary Commemoration
KANSAS CITY, Mo., - This year the VFW enters its 125th year of service to veterans, service members and their families. As such, the VFW has proudly launched a year-long campaign to commemorate the...
View ArticleVFW Action Alert: Pass H.R. 8371
The VFW supports the comprehensive Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. Veterans and survivors can benefit from many of the bill's provisions. It would...
View ArticleStudent Veterans Have Voices Heard on Capitol Hill
Since 2013, members of VFW and SVA have had the opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.The veterans involved in the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program are allowed to meet lawmakers...
View ArticleVFW Recommends TAP Class Reform
In a March House VA Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity hearing, VFW offered insight into the military's Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and addressed a proposal aimed at enhancing the process.VFW...
View ArticleVFW Action Alert: Vote Yes to Include the Major Richard Star Act in the NDAA
Background: More than 53,000 veterans have been discharged from military service because they sustained injuries while serving our country in combat. These veterans were denied the ability to...
View ArticleVFW Action Alert: Support the Sen. Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans...
Background:The Sen. Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Act is a comprehensive package that would provide health care and benefits for veterans, caregivers, and survivors. This...
View ArticleApplications Open for 2024-2025 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) are now accepting applications from student veterans interested in participating in the upcoming 2024-2025 VFW-SVA...
View ArticleStudy Shows Higher Risk of Brain Cancer Among Post 9/11 Veterans
A study published in February found patients with moderate, severe or "penetrating" TBIs are at a higher risk of developing brain cancer.The study, titled Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent Risk of...
View ArticleVFW Readies for Annual September Legislative Conference
WASHINGTON - Today, together with national leadership and staff, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Legislative Committee members from across the country arrive in the nation's capital to share the VFW's...
View ArticleVFW Action Alert: Take Action to Avoid Lapse in VA Benefits
Recently, VA announced a budget shortfall that may delay the timely delivery of benefits to people nationwide. Veterans, family members, and caregivers have earned VA benefits through service and we...
View ArticleVFW Applauds Congress Passing Emergency Appropriations for VA
WASHINGTON - I am pleased to hear the news, along with the nearly 7 million other veterans who rely on VA benefits, to include disability compensation and even the GI Bill, that veterans can have peace...
View ArticleGoodwill Efforts Can Help Account for US MIAs
The VFW Washington Office is asking veterans and families to search for old documents and memorabilia found in the Vietnam War and send the items to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).Instead...
View ArticleVFW, SVA Announce 2024/2025 Legislative Fellowship Selectees
WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), in conjunction with Student Veterans of America (SVA), is pleased to announce their selection of six student veterans to complete the 2024/2025 VFW-SVA...
View ArticleVFW Action Alert: Keep TAP Promotion Act in Defense Bill
Background:As we speak, the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services are negotiating their versions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. An important VFW...
View ArticleVFW Announces National Initiative with the Grunt Style Foundation to Address...
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is honored to partner with the Grunt Style Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing life-changing resources for veterans,...
View ArticleMessage from the VFW National Commander on General Election Results
WASHINGTON - "In the 125-year history of the VFW, we have witnessed the transfer of power of the highest office of our nation 21 times. It has not always been easy. But despite wars and rumors of war;...
View ArticleVFW Action Alert: Pass the Dole Act Now
H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, would provide enhancements to critical health care services for veterans and caregivers who need...
View ArticleCaretaker Benefits and VA Budget Tops Legislative Conference Business
VFW held its annual fall Legislative Conference from Sept. 9-11 at the nation's capital, marking a significant event in veterans' advocacy for the year. VFW members from across the country descended on...
View Article'An Immediate Battlefield Assessment'
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March approved the use of a new rapid blood test that can diagnose a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a combat or training environment where advanced...
View Article'Mission Partner'
The VFW Department of Texas received a $60,000 on Nov. 4 from Austin, Texas-based Hometown Hero. The funds are to help the VFW "continue its mission of providing essential resources and assistance for...
View ArticleVFW and Columbia University Announce Military Transition Collaboration
WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce its newest relationship with Columbia University's Center for Veteran Transition and Integration (CVTI) in a new initiative focused...
View ArticleNational Veterans Service Surpasses $14 Billion in Total Recovered VA...
WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce it has surpassed a milestone in fiscal year 2024, as its National Veterans Service (NVS) network of 2,162 Accredited Service...
View ArticleVFW Continues Advocacy for Unaddressed Toxic Exposure
The Honoring Our PACT Act, passed in August 2022, provides veterans who served in countries such as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq with expanded access to VA health care and earned disability benefits...
View ArticleVFW Leaders Kick Off New Year With Troop Visits Abroad
WASHINGTON - Last week, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore, Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci and Director of Operations Brad Hazell landed in...
View ArticleLeading veterans' groups release Independent Budget Recommendations for the...
WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), yesterday releasedThe Independent Budget Recommendations for the Department of...
View ArticleVFW Reminds Members to Stay Focused Amid Confusion in the Capital
WASHINGTON - Over the past few weeks, I, like many of you, have been inundated daily with news from our nation's capital about the current administration's new way of doing business. Between the...
View ArticleVFW Calls on Administration, Congress to Stop Indiscriminate Firing of Veterans
WASHINGTON -Ten days ago, I shared the Veterans of Foreign Wars' (VFW) concerns for the news of mass lay-offs coming out of our nation's capital. Since then, it has become clearer that the veteran...
View ArticleVFW Chief Demands Lawmakers 'Honor the Contract' with Veterans
WASHINGTON - Heeding the call to "march forth," Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and VFW Auxiliary members packed the house alongside Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt as he testified before a special...
View ArticleRep. Van Orden Receives VFW Congressional Award
WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) presented its 2025 Congressional Award to Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) for his relentless advocacy on behalf of veterans and service members."In...
View ArticleVFW Encouraged as President Shares 'Scalpel' Approach to VA Job Cuts
WASHINGTON - Last week I voiced the VFW's concerns about the indiscriminate firings of veterans across our federal government. We heard from our members across the country about the effects this was...
View ArticleVFW Encouraged as President Shares 'Scalpel' Approach to VA Job Cuts
WASHINGTON - Last week I voiced the VFW's concerns about the indiscriminate firings of veterans across our federal government. We heard from our members across the country about the effects this was...
View ArticleVFW Leaders Prepare for Diplomacy, Troop and DPAA Site Visits
WASHINGTON - On the heels of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Washington Conference, two official delegations comprised of senior VFW and Auxiliary leaders and supporting staff depart this weekend...
View ArticleVFW Names First Woman Veteran to Lead its National Legislative Efforts
WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce the selection of the first woman veteran as director of the VFW's National Legislative Service (NLS).Kristina Keenan is a familiar...
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