VFW Post 3522 |
| About the VFW
The Veterans of Foreign Wars has been a voice for our nation's veterans for more than a century and is the nation's oldest major veteran's organization. To America, and the world, the letters "VFW" symbolize volunteerism and community service.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000.
A Century of Accomplishments
• Planned establishment of the Veterans Administration
• Led development of the national cemetery system
• Fought for compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange
• Encouraged elevation of the Veterans Administration to the president's cabinet
• Protected and enhanced the VA budget
• Raised $500,000 to provide 300,000 care packages to Desert Storm troops
• Matched funds for the creation of the World War II Memorial
Our Members
Our membership includes veterans from four wars and active-duty service members who have been involved in expeditionary campaigns. 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. service members 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. In addition, the service member must be an U.S. citizen.
Note: 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.
The Cross of Malta
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States adopted for its symbol the Cross of Malta, which has a heritage of honor, duty, sacrifice and courage that dates back to the 11th Century.
The Cross has its origin in the Knights of St. John, a strict order of crusaders, originally founded to maintain a hospital for pilgrims journeying to the Holy Land. From this order evolved two divisions, the Knights of Templar, famed for their ability to fight, and the Knights Hospitaler, humanitarians who provided for the sick and distressed.
The Knights established branches throughout Europe and moved their headquarters to Cyprus. From Cyprus the headquarters was eventually moved to Rhodes in the 14th century and was transferred from there to the island of Malta in the 16th century. There they became known as the Knights of Malta.
The insignia of the Knights of Malta is basically the same as the one used today by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It is an 8-point cross formed by four arrowheads meeting at the points. Each represents one of the Beatitudes taken from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The arrowheads indicate the knights were willing to fight for the principles of justice and truth although their order was basically a peaceful one.
|
|
|
|
|
| Copyright © VFW Post 3522 2005 Designed and Maintained by Conestoga Enterprise |
|  |
|
|
