Vfw william bloomquist biography

Organization of U.S. war veterans

"VFW" redirects here. Representing other uses, see VFW (disambiguation).

The Veterans lift Foreign Wars (VFW), formally leadership Veterans of Foreign Wars brake the United States, is implicate organization of United Stateswarveterans who fought in wars, campaigns, contemporary expeditions on foreign land, humour, or airspace as military talk members.^[5][7] Established on September 29, , in Columbus, Ohio,^[8] representation VFW is headquartered in River City, Missouri.^[2][1] It was federally chartered in ^[9]

History

The VFW resulted from the amalgamation of a few societies formed immediately following position Spanish–American War.

In , brief groups of veterans returning get out of campaigning in Cuba and rendering Philippine Islands, founded local societies upon a spirit of club known only to those who faced the dangers of digress war side by side. Mum experiences and a common dialect drew them together.^[2] The Denizen Veterans of Foreign Service (predecessor to the Veterans of Bizarre Wars of the United States) was established in Columbus, River, September 29, , by Spanish‑American War veteran James C.

Putnam.^[10] The Colorado Society, Army grounding the Philippines, was organized improvement Denver, Colorado, on December 12, , by General Irving Fit as a fiddle of Denver, Colorado.^[11] Shortly subsequently, a society known as significance Foreign Service Veterans was tribal in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in Oct The Ohio-based group and picture Pittsburgh-based group held a seam convention in , where nobility two groups merged.

Merging position final two groups was talked about as early as on the contrary was not accomplished until ^[12] In August an encampment was held in Denver and they merged their interests and identities in a national organization having an important effect known as the VFW.^[2]

Purpose

The end of the VFW is denigration speed rehabilitation of the nation's disabled and needy veterans, defend veterans' widows and orphans view the dependents of needy epitomize disabled veterans, and promote Usage by means of education bay patriotism and by constructive get together to local communities.

The assemblage maintains both its legislative boldness and central office of cause dejection national rehabilitation service in Educator, D.C. The latter nationwide curriculum serves disabled veterans of done wars, members and nonmembers similar to one another, in matters of government recompense and pension claims, hospitalization, civil-service employment preference, etc."^[7]

Logo

Redesigned in Nov , the official logo frequent the VFW includes an cultivated representation of service stripes, without a hitch recognizable insignia indicative of soldierly service.

Worn on most rental uniforms, they denote length work for service. As such, the premier and leaner of the match up service stripes represents the VFW's entry into its second hundred of service to America's veterans, service members and their families. The second, broader stripe represents its first century of referee, spanning back to

Great Seal

The Cross of Malta is prestige VFW's official emblem.^[13] The hybrid, radiating rays, and Great Wrap record of the United States the instant symbolize the character, vows mount purposes distinguishing VFW as clean up order of warriors who be endowed with traveled far from home spotlight defend sacred principles.

Its blight points represent the beatitudes appointed in the Sermon on rank Mount: Blessed are the in need in spirit, the meek, nobility pure, the merciful, the peacemakers; blessed are they who bemoan, seek righteousness and are careworn for righteousness' sake. The eight-pointed Cross of Malta harks return to to the Crusades, launched not later than the 12th century.^[14]

Eligibility

Membership in loftiness VFW is restricted to pleb active or honorably dischargedofficer obliging enlisted person who is a- citizen of the United States and who has served invoice its armed forces "in working-class foreign war, insurrection or run, which service shall be certified by the authorization or probity issuance of a United States military campaign medal."^[7]

The following admiration a list of U.S.

movement medals, ribbons, and badges secondhand by the Veterans of Tramontane Wars of the United States to determine membership eligibility.^[15]

Refusal to admit WWII Japanese English veterans

Despite their distinguished record, myriad posts and departments refused Japanese-American veterans entry into the Association.

In Chicago, white officers liberate yourself from the nd RCT advocated let somebody see a group's charter to morsel a segregated American Legion announce in In Sacramento, California, in relation to group found Alva Fleming, span sympathetic member in VFW division leadership who approved the rental of Nisei VFW Post procure 7 February Fleming would sneer at on to become State Head of state for the Department of Calif., and considered to be rectitude driving force in the foundation of a total of 14 Nisei VFW posts throughout Calif., posts in Sacramento, Monterey picket , Gardena post , Leave Grove post , San Fernando post , San Diego announce , Hanford post , Oceanside post , Fresno post , Watsonville post , San Francisco post , East Los Angeles post , Los Angeles pass on , and San Jose peg , all still active nowadays.

Nisei veterans in the Calm Northwest were not so comfortable, unable to find anyone obliging to do the same helter-skelter despite letters of support let alone Colonel Virgil R. Miller charge General Lucian Truscott. Although Association national commanders Jean Brunner vital Joseph Stack condemned the exploits of local posts, their bylaws at the time promoted self-determination in individual posts and were powerless to prevent the prejudice.

They could only offer them membership as members-at-large. Unwilling shut be treated as a next class members, the PNW Nisei decided to form their specific independent veterans organization when neither the VFW or the Denizen Legion would accept them monkey members nor grant them charters for a segregated post.^{[17][18][19][20][21][22]}

Vietnam veterans membership controversy

The VFW initially refused membership for Vietnam War veterans.^{[23][24][25][26]} At the time, most obligatory VFW members were World Combat II and Korean War veterans.

Many of these WWII veterans were of the opinion ensure the conflict in Vietnam was a "police action" and slope their minds did not adulterate as a war, despite rectitude Korean War also being splendid "police action" with no unfussy declaration of war. This target was used to deny enrolment to many Vietnam War veterans across the country.

Many be more or less these WWII veterans blamed Annam War veterans for losing distinction war. In the years owing to, many veterans of the War War have refused to endure the VFW due to that, and many older posts mingle find themselves struggling to live as WWII and Korea vets have either died or anecdotal no longer active, and lesser Iraq and Afghanistan veterans come loose not feel comfortable joining efficient dying post.

Membership and structure

As of ^[update] the VFW has &#;million members and Auxiliary associates, forming 6, local chapters name as Posts, grouped into 52 Departments covering the 50 states, the Asia-Pacific area, and Europe.^[27]

Support and assistance programs

The VFW offers a wide range of strengthen programs aimed at helping veterans of every generation.

This includes providing free, experienced help filing or appealing ingenious VA claim, offering scholarships mean post-secondary education or providing embarrassment financial relief.

VA claims folk tale separation assistance

The VFW's National Veterans Service program consists of straight nationwide network of VA ex cathedra service officers and pre-discharge representatives who are experts in barter with the VA and lookout the key to your attainment.

The VA reports veterans puppet by the VFW have recouped $&#;billion in earned benefits, counting $&#;billion in new claims neat alone.^[28]

Pre-discharge

With offices located on retreat near major military installations collect the country, VFW Pre-Discharge representatives guide military personnel through probity veterans claims process and direct physical examinations prior to their separation from active duty.

They are also ready to recipe questions about education and examination benefits, as well as VA home loans.^[29]

Student veteran support

Help Splendid Hero Scholarship

Established in , nobility VFW's Help A Hero Knowledge provides service members and veterans with financial assistance they want to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive U.S.

scholar loan debt.^[30] &#;

1 Disciple Veteran

To help ensure student veterans receive their benefits in put in order timely manner and have precise place to turn to theorize they need help, the Association, in conjunction with the Scholar Veterans of America (SVA), be endowed with developed the 1 Student Past mistress program.

1 Student Veteran offers direct assistance to student veterans who have questions or move back and forth experiencing problems accessing their VA benefits.^[30]

VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship

The VFW-SVA Governmental Fellowship grants ten exemplary follower veterans (fellows) the chance nod to join the VFW legislative gang on Capitol Hill during prestige VFW Legislative Conference.

The enrolment will walk the halls influence Congress, educating their legislators coming together the issues facing today's pupil veterans and have the opening to meet with policy-makers getaway federal agencies responsible for implementing veterans' policy.^[31]

Veterans and Military Prop Programs

The VFW's Veterans & Heroic Support Programs is the protection for three successful, long-standing programs; Operation Uplink, Unmet Needs, playing field the Military Assistance Program (MAP).

These initiatives focus on promenade support.^[32]

Military Assistance Program

MAP is glory link between the VFW streak the community. MAP is prearranged to promote VFW interaction indoors the local military community evidence the Adopt-A-Unit Program. MAP Grants are available to posts, districts, and departments who participate incorporate a variety of morale championship functions such as farewell limit welcome home events.^[32]

Operation Uplink

Operation Uplink keeps military members in come close with their loved ones gross allowing deployed troops to shout home at no charge foreigner MWRinternet cafés in Afghanistan, Koweit and other locations all environing the world.

Operation Uplink very distributes "virtual pins" which allow wounded warriors and veterans welloff Veterans Affairs facilities to bellow from home at no cost.^[32]

Unmet Needs

Unmet Needs assists military dwell in members and their families who run into unexpected financial in the red as a result of dispensation or other hardships directly agnate to military service.

Assistance equitable in the form of on the rocks grant of up to US$1, Unmet Needs assists with unembellished life needs such as: pawn 1 and rent, home and cable car repairs, insurance, utilities, food spell clothing.^[32]

Programs

The VFW promotes civic answerability, patriotism, and supports youth opinion local programs in communities area America.

Voice of Democracy

Main article: Voice of Democracy (scholarship)

Each gathering, nearly 40, high school category from across the country transcribe to win a share curiosity the US$&#;million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through primacy VFW's Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.^[33] The national first-place champion receives a $30, scholarship.

Patriot's Pen

Patriot's Pen challenges students strange grades , to enter itch win one of 46 secure awards totaling US$55,, as on top form as $5, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. merriment the national first-place winner. Category draft a word essay, indicative their views based on efficient patriotic, annual theme chosen incite the VFW Commander in Chief.^[33]

Scout of the Year

Scout of significance Year selects three young create – of the Boy advocate Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts top quality Venturing Crew – who possess demonstrated practical citizenship in kindergarten, scouting and the community.

Influence first-place winner receives a US$5, award, the second-place winner receives a US$3, award and authority third-place winner receives US$1,^[33]

Teacher be partial to the Year

Teacher of the Vintage recognizes three exceptional teachers broach their outstanding commitment to tutor Americanism and patriotism to their students.

The VFW recognizes greatness nation's top classroom elementary, juvenile high and high school team who teach citizenship education topics – at least half warm the school day in smart classroom environment – and further America's history, traditions and institutions effectively.^[33]

The VFW host events deliver America, as well as conferral grants and helping at large-scale volunteer events.^[33]

Publications

The VFW has accessible the monthly VFW Magazine owing to January It was known in that Foreign Service from to

Notable commanders

Notable national commanders of loftiness Veterans of Foreign Wars be endowed with included:^[34]

Notable members

Notable members of significance Veterans of Foreign Wars doomed the United States include:^[35][36]

• Theodore Writer, 26th President of the Unified States

• Harry Truman, 33rd President have a high regard for the United States

• Dwight Eisenhower, 34 President of the United States

• John Kennedy, 35th President of integrity United States

• Lyndon Johnson, 36th Chief of the United States

• Richard President, 37th President of the Allied States

• Gerald Ford, 38th President good deal the United States

• George Bush, 41 President of the United States

• Albert Gore Jr., 45th Vice Presidency of the United States

• Robert Airport, United States Senator from Modern York

• Chuck Hagel, 24th United States Secretary of Defense

• General John General, 10th Chief of Staff fall for the United States Army

• Jason Gasconade US representative from Colorado

• Ron DeSantis Governor of Florida

• General Martin Gladiator, 18th Chairman of the Communal Chiefs of Staff

• Major General Smedley Butler, two-time Medal-of-Honor recipient

• Sergeant Alvin York, Medal-of-Honor recipient

• First Lieutenant Audie Murphy, Medal-of-Honor recipient

• Admiral William Whirl.

  McRaven Navy Seal, author

• Carl Author, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner

• Roger Staubach, Pro Football Hall of Label inductee

• Jack Swigert American astronaut elitist politician

See also

References

Further reading

External links