VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars

Transcription

1 VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars Janie Miller Post Department of Arizona Department Chaplain, All-American Commander, /26/2011 J. Miller 1

2 Composition The VFW is chartered by the United States Congress. The organization consists of The VFW proper, i.e. the organization of Veterans ( Comrades ) The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars ( Sisters ) The Men s Auxiliary, which is not yet chartered and thus not controlled by the National Headquarters The Military Order of the Cooties, the Honor Society of the VFW to which members have to be invited to join. Cooties concentrate on Hospital work. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 2

3 10/26/2011 J. Miller 3

4 National Leadership National Commander-in-Chief Veterans of Foreign Wars Richard DeNoyer National President Ladies Auxiliary Gwendolyn Rankin 10/26/2011 J. Miller 4

5 The purposes of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States are Preserving and expanding veterans rights and benefits. Advocating a strong national defense. Promoting patriotism. Offering community service. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 5

6 These objectives are accomplished by: Lobbying Congress on behalf of veterans through VFW s National Legislative Service and monitoring care and seeking assistance through VFW s National Veterans Service. Monitoring overseas troop deployments and the Pentagon s budget through VFW s National Security and Foreign Affairs section. Educating schoolchildren with the help of VFW members through VFW s Citizenship Education and Community Service and Youth Development, Scholarship and Recognition departments. Serving communities at the local level, such as VFW Post members cleaning roadsides in the Adopt-a-Highway program, as well as national projects like disaster relief. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 6

7 Non-profit Status VFW is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(19) chartered in The VFW Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit charity established in /26/2011 J. Miller 7

8 VFW Facts The VFW is the oldest major Veterans organization, founded in The VFW is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, and maintains an additional building in Washington, DC for veterans services and legislative work. Numerous presidents including John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and George Bush belonged to the VFW. There are more than 1.6 million members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 19 foreign countries. There were 25,776 members in Arizona during the year, with 2,294 in District 10. The VFW raised more funds than any other veterans organization to support the construction of the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 8

9 VFW Benefits Veterans Assistance: Each Post and each Department has a trained Service Officer to help veterans member or not in filing for benefits and care VFW Magazine: published 11 times per year, keeps members informed about issues Insurance Benefits: each member in good standing is provided a Personal Accident Protection Plan. The VFW also sponsors policies for life, health, accidents, long-term care and auto insurance plus homeowners and pet insurance Cell Phone Service: members receive 15% discount through Sprint Hotel/Motel Discounts: members receive 10-30% discounts from variety of hotel chains Rental Car Discounts: members receive discounts with Alamo, Avis, Hertz, and National Rental Car Funeral and Cremation programs: members receive discounts on funeral/cremation plans through Dignity Memorial 10/26/2011 J. Miller 9

10 Programs Annually, VFW awards more than $2.5 million in youth scholarships through its Voice of Democracy program. VFW awards more than $900,000 a year in U.S. savings bonds through the Patriot s Pen contest. VFW and its partner, the Ladies Auxiliary, annually donate more than 13 millions hours of community-service. Every year, VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary contribute millions of dollars worth of community service-projects. Our Ladies Auxiliary annually collects more than $3 million for cancer research. It has donated some $47 million since the late 1950s. Through its Operation Uplink program, VFW has given out millions of prepaid phone calling-cards to veterans in veterans homes, hospitals and activeduty military. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 10

11 Historical Highlights 1899 American Veterans of Foreign Service, (Columbus, Ohio) 1899 Army of the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico, (Denver, Colo.) 1901 American Veterans of Foreign Service (Eastern Branch, Altoona, Pa.) 1914 The three foreign service organizations merge to form Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW formed. Foreign Service magazine established VFW s first lobbyist appointed National Service Bureau established Americanization Committee established Buddy Poppy program established National Home established Recovery of U.S. remains from Russia VFW Loyalty Day established. Boy Scout-VFW relationship established Sons of VFW founded. Americanism Department established VFW Congressional Charter. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 11

12 Historical Highlights 1937 Bicycle safety program Dept. of Athletics & Recreation established. National Security and Foreign Affairs section formed Voice of Democracy established First community service contest VFW Cancer Research Center established in Minnesota VFW Washington Memorial Building dedicated Lite-A-Bike established Drug Awareness program established Women admitted to the VFW VFW-PAC established. Shooting program with NRA established VFW membership surpasses 2 million VA Golden Age Games co-sponsorship begins Youth Essay, now Patriot s Pen, begins. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 12

13 Recent Accomplishments The VFW was the leading force for the Post-9/11 GI Bill The VFW helped to ensure the passage of the Veterans Millennium Health and Benefits Act and the Veterans Survivors Benefits Improvement Act The VFW was instrumental in getting the law passed providing concurrent receipt of the most severely disabled veterans The VFW Foundation worked to get major businesses to support veterans causes. Businesses include GE, Wal-Mart, Krafts Food, and the NFL 10/26/2011 J. Miller 13

14 Programs of the VFW Support of the National Home for Children Buddy Poppy Program Voice of Democracy Patriots Pen Teachers Award Ladies Auxiliary Patriotic Art Gold Awards for First Responders Scout/JROTC/ROTC Cadet of the Year Volunteer Recognition 10/26/2011 J. Miller 14

15 National Home for Children The National Home was founded in Residents live in 40 homes as part of 73 buildings on the 70 acre campus. Eligibility for the National Home For Residential & Single Parent Family Programs, the child(ren) must have a parent, grandparent or greatgrandparent that is a member of the VFW or Ladies Auxiliary, in good standing, or was such, at their time of death. The Military Family Program is for any child or family of an activeduty service member to assist them during deployment. The Veterans Family Program requires the veteran to be a VFW member, in receipt of VA service-connected disability compensation, and in pursuit of VA Vocational Rehabilitation. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 15

16 The Buddy Poppy Program Since 1922, the Buddy Poppy has been an integral part of the VFW community. As VFW s official memorial flower, the Poppy represents the blood shed by American service members. It reiterates that VFW will not forget their sacrifices. The Poppy movement was inspired by Canadian Army Col. John McCrae s famous poem, In Flanders Fields. and were originally distributed by the Franco-American Children s League to benefit children in the devastated areas of France and Belgium following WWI. In 1922, VFW conducted a campaign and got Poppies from France. Members soon discovered it took too long to get the flowers in from France and they came up with the idea that disabled, hospitalized and aging veterans could make the paper flowers and ship them out to the members for distribution. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 16

17 The Buddy Poppy Program Thus, for veterans in VA hospitals and domiciliaries and in state veterans homes, every day is Buddy Poppy Day. These men and women assemble the Poppies, tie them in bunches of 10 and pack them in boxes of 500, 1,000 or 2,000 for shipment to the Posts and Ladies Auxiliaries. VFW pays the disabled veteran for the work. In most cases, this extra money provides additional income for the worker to pay for the little luxuries, which make hospital life more tolerable. Furthermore, Poppy assembly is often used as a therapy program to provide exercise for fingers and hands crippled by wounds, disease and the effects of old age. Another reason Poppies are so important is because all proceeds from distribution are used for veterans welfare or for the well being of their needy dependents and the orphans of veterans. More than 2,100 children of veterans have been, or are being cared for in the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Mich., thanks to a portion of Poppy funds. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 17

18 Voice of Democracy Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW s) premier scholarship program. Each year, more than 50,000 high school students compete for more than $2.3 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast script on an annual patriotic theme. The theme is Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military? 10/26/2011 J. Miller 18

19 Patriots Pen Patriot s Pen gives 6th, 7th and 8th grade students the opportunity to express their opinion on a patriotic theme and improve their writing skills, while they compete for worthwhile awards and prizes. Department (state) winners compete for approx. $91,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds at the national level with the winner receiving a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond in Washington, D.C., in March each year. The theme is Are you Proud of Your Country? 10/26/2011 J. Miller 19

20 Great Students 10/26/2011 J. Miller 20

21 VoD Awards At Eloy Desert Vista High School Post VoD Winners Noemi R Penulas and Rosario Diaz receive plaques and awards, flanked by their teacher, Mr. Quintero, and principal DeMello 10/26/2011 J. Miller 21

22 Promoting Education VFW annually recognizes the nation s top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly teaching (at least half of the school day in a classroom environment) and promote America s history, traditions and institutions effectively. Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates for this award. For example, do you know a teacher who plans field trips to city hall or organizes community volunteer projects? Maybe you know an instructor who invites veterans into the classroom to discuss their military experiences. Perhaps you are familiar with a teacher who fosters the development of democratic values and beliefs through special projects. If you know of such a teacher, honor him or her today with the VFW s National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 22

23 Great Teachers 10/26/2011 J. Miller 23

24 Honoring First Responders The Gold Award Program Every year the VFW at all levels honors First Responders: Law Enforcement Officers, incl. Border Patrol Fire Fighters EMTs If you know of a deserving officers, please put him or her in for an award: ANYONE CAN RECOMMEND ANYONE!!!!! 10/26/2011 J. Miller 24

25 First Responders 10/26/2011 J. Miller 25

26 First Responders 10/26/2011 J. Miller 26

27 National Military Services focusing on troop support Military Assistance Program (MAP) designed to provide the link between the VFW and the military and to promote the VFW in local communities; MAP Grants funds are available to local Posts to help fund moraleboosters, e.g. send-off and welcome home parties; Adopt-A-Unit Posts can adopt units, including reserve and National Guard, providing support to deployed service members and their stayhome families; Operation Uplink distribution of phone cards/virtual PINs and coordination of Free Call Days at internet cafes in combat areas; Unmet Needs helping service members and their families when faced with unexpected financial hardship. Grants up to $2500 can be provided to families in need; VetJobs.com the VFW has supported the organization since it is a free service designed specifically for veterans and employers seeking veterans. 10/26/2011 J. Miller 27

28 Sending Off The 422d 10/26/2011 J. Miller 28

29 Other Projects Decorate graves on Memorial Day Participate in Veterans Day parades Retire unserviceable flags properly Do Flag Education and Pledge of Allegiance presentations in schools Teachers in the Class Room Create Living Histories by participating in Oral History projects per Public Law Honoring the Dead by helping the Living 10/26/2011 J. Miller 29

30 Memorial Day 10/26/2011 J. Miller 30

31 Other Projects Decorate graves on Memorial Day Participate in Veterans Day parades Retire unserviceable flags properly Do Flag Education and Pledge of Allegiance presentations in schools Teachers in the Class Room Create Living Histories by participating in Oral History projects per Public Law Honoring the Dead by helping the Living 10/26/2011 J. Miller 31

32 Veterans Day Parade 10/26/2011 J. Miller 32

33 Other Projects Decorate graves on Memorial Day Participate in Veterans Day parades Retire unserviceable flags properly Do Flag Education and Pledge of Allegiance presentations in schools Teachers in the Class Room Create Living Histories by participating in Oral History projects per Public Law Honoring the Dead by helping the Living 10/26/2011 J. Miller 33

34 Flag Retirement 10/26/2011 J. Miller 34

35 Other Projects Decorate graves on Memorial Day Participate in Veterans Day parades Retire unserviceable flags properly Do Flag Education and Pledge of Allegiance presentations in schools Teachers in the Class Room Create Living Histories by participating in Oral History projects per Public Law Honoring the Dead by helping the Living 10/26/2011 J. Miller 35

36 Flag Etiquette 10/26/2011 J. Miller 36

37 Other Projects Decorate graves on Memorial Day Participate in Veterans Day parades Retire unserviceable flags properly Do Flag Education and Pledge of Allegiance presentations in schools Teachers in the Class Room Create Living Histories by participating in Oral History projects per Public Law Honoring the Dead by helping the Living 10/26/2011 J. Miller 37

38 Teachers in the Classroom Pearl Harbor Survivor Paul Goodyear and MoH awardee Fred Ferguson 10/26/2011 J. Miller 38

39 Teaching Americanism 10/26/2011 J. Miller 39

40 10/26/2011 J. Miller 40

41 Other Projects Decorate graves on Memorial Day Participate in Veterans Day parades Retire unserviceable flags properly Do Flag Education and Pledge of Allegiance presentations in schools Teachers in the Class Room Create Living Histories by participating in Oral History projects per Public Law Honoring the Dead by helping the Living 10/26/2011 J. Miller 41

42 Honoring The Four Chaplains Four chaplain who gave their lives were honored by four chaplains. We were pleased to have Fr. Kevin Clinch of St Anthony s in Casa Grande and Rabbi Wiener, National Chaplain of Jewish War Veterans, participating 10/26/2011 J. Miller 42

43 Annual Easter Egg Hunt There were fewer children than in 2010 but 250 kids versus 42 bikes with accessories seemed to be quite respectable. The Community was generous and the Pinal County Sheriff s Office at least sent us Officer Boisvert to teach bike safety 10/26/2011 J. Miller 43

44 Bring Smiles to Hospitalized Vets Cootie Clowns at the Tucson VA Hospital AZ Cooties worked 34,004 hours in /26/2011 J. Miller 44

45 Bring Smiles to Hospitalized Vets Christmas Party at the AZ Veterans Home 10/26/2011 J. Miller 45

46 VFW District 10 District 10 covers Northwest Pinal County plus Chandler and Sun Lakes The District had 3106 members as of 31 May /26/2011 J. Miller 46

47 VOLUNTEER EFFORTS by Veterans in Arizona Volunteers Hours Miles $ Equivalent 1677 TOTAL 2,794 13, ,020 $ 231, AZ Cooties TOTAL 34, ,739 $ 514, VFW AZ ,353 $1,323, AZ AmLegion ,121 10/26/2011 J. Miller 47

48 Activities of the Casa Grande Honor Guard The 1677 Honor Guard serves Pinal County between Florence and Maricopa plus the Sun Lakes Veterans Community Volunteers Hours Miles May ' Jun ' Jul ' Aug ' Sep ' Oct ' Nov ' Dec ' Jan ' Feb ' Mar ' TOTALS /26/2011 J. Miller 48

49 Contact Information National Headquarters Washington Office Web site: 406 West 34th Street Kansas City, MO Ph: (816) Fax: (816) Maryland Avenue, N.E. Washington, D.C Ph: (202) Fax: (202) /26/2011 J. Miller 49