"Synonymous with volunteerism and community service, membership in the VFW is a way for veterans to continue to make a difference."
There is a common bond that exists between the men and women who have shared the military experience in battle: A shared sense of duty and a common belief in a cause higher than self. Our nations' veterans chose to serve and by doing so, assumed all the risks associated with maintaining freedom. VFW members are here because they understand the true essence of America and its ideals and beliefs and the price they paid to be eligible to join the ranks of the VFW.
Join the VFW
As yesterday's defenders of freedom we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group. Our common bond is the battlefield, whether it is service in the Persian Gulf, Korea, Kosovo, the war on terrorism or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice has made a difference in preserving and defending world peace. Become part of the VFW family today so you can make a difference in your community tomorrow.
"It's not the price you pay for membership - it's the price you pay to be eligible..."
Why Join?
We are the veterans' advocate and have helped make today's veterans' benefits a reality. Your support helps us continue that path. Membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars entitles you to:
Subscription to VFW Magazine (11 issues), delivered to you wherever you're stationed. $1,000/$1,500 Personal Accident Protection Policy Personal assistance securing government benefits and entitlements for veterans. Discounts on vision, dental, hearing aids, prescriptions, chiropractic care, purchases, travel, car rental. VFW Credit Union ViatiCare Life Benefits Multiple group-rate insurance programs Representation for veterans' rights in Washington Access to over 9,000 VFW Posts worldwide
...Plus many other valuable benefits!
Membership Eligibility
The fundamental difference between our Organization and other veteran organizations, and one in which we take great pride, is our eligibility qualifications. There are three requisites for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States: (1) Citizenship; (2) Honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States; (3) Service entitling the applicant to the award of a recognized campaign medal or as set forth in the Congressional Charter and/or By-Laws.
Checking eligibility is comparatively simple. Assuming that a person is a United States citizen and has an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces, it only remains to be proven that the person served outside the continental limits of the U.S. and has earned a campaign or service medal recognized by the VFW as meeting the campaign medal requisite for VFW Membership. (The only exception is for service in Korea after June 30, 1949, until present.)
Discharges issued during and immediately after the close of World War II have a section on the back listing the medals and decorations which have been earned. Persons discharged later received a DD-214, "Report of Separation" form, which has a space showing medals and decorations. Lost separation documents can be replaced by completing and submitting GSA Standard Form 180, "Request Pertaining to Military Records".
There is always a possibility of an omission on the separation documents. If an applicant claims entitlement to a medal which is not shown on the individual's separation papers, that person may request verification and correction of records by submitting a GSA Standard Form 180.
The
GSA Standard Form 180 is available from any office of the Veterans Administration or state Veterans Departments. The form must be completed and signed by the veteran in order to receive the information requested or authorize the release of the information to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
VFW eligibility listing chart is used as a guide in determining eligibility for membership, and is furnished as a matter of information concerning the periods during which campaign and/or service medals were authorized.
Campaign medals, and the periods for which issued, have been authorized by the United States of America, and the holder of any such medal or medals is recognized as possessing the campaign medal requisite of eligibility. CLICK HERE to confirm VFW Eligibility!
Membership Application Download
To join VFW Post 9851, click on the link below and download the membership application, fill it out, submit it with your payment, and the post will send you confirmation of your membership as soon as it is processed. Please note that you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to enable viewing and printing of the membership application. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer, you can install it FREE from www.adobe.com.
CLICK HERE to download the membership application form.
Subscription to VFW Magazine (11 issues), delivered to you wherever you're stationed.