By Stephen Smoot
Veterans of military service hold a distinguished and respected place in American society, and rightly so. No matter where they served, or what roles they performed during their honorable service, they earned tremendous consideration.
Among other hard working organizations on behalf of veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has dedicated 125 years to fighting for those who fought for freedom.
Few today think often about the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection. American servicemen fought in unfamiliar landscapes as far apart as Cuba and the Philippines. More succumbed to disease than Spanish ammunition and, as they returned home, the men who served needed advocacy.
The model for action lay close at hand. One of the most powerful non partisan, but political organizations at the time, perhaps in United States history, was the Grand Army of the Republic. It had secured a number of benefits, including pensions, for Union veterans of the United States Civil War and also counted five presidents among its members.
Inspired by both the GAR and the need of those who fought in the most recent war, 14 veterans of the 17th Infantry Regiment gathered in Columbus, Ohio. They formed “the American Veterans of Foreign Service” and quickly joined with similar groups spontaneously appearing across the nation, notably the Colorado Society Army of the Philippines in Denver and the Philippine War Veterans in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Ever since, the state and national organizations of the VFW have pushed for the support and services needed by veterans while local posts promote veteran advocacy and outreach, as well as patriotism and even support for those on active duty.
Last month, in one of their countless efforts, the Moorefield VFW Post 9606 turned out to support 150 National Guardsmen going on deployment to the Mexican border. They were joined by VFW Post 56456 and American Legion Post 64, as well as their auxiliaries to help cook and serve a large buffet style meal.
“We did hold a nice meal a couple of days before they left,” said Operation Desert Storm veteran Kris Jenkins, who serves as Post Commander. “They loved it.”
Although deploying within the United States, the Guardsmen face unfamiliar desert terrain and conditions, as well as the potential for danger from the Mexican cartels who profit off of illegal immigration and the drug trade.
Every grain added accumulates to form a heap. Work performed by local posts complements the drive of the state and national organizations. According to the VFW website “from day one, VFW has advocated for veterans’ rightfully earned benefits.” One of the first movements launched was the VFW National Service Bureau in 1919. Along with similar work by the American Legion formed in the same year, they “ensured that the returning Doughboys of World War I were properly cared for.”
Jenkins explains that the VFW has four goals. One of the most urgent priorities from the national to the local level lies in educating servicemen exiting the military to prepare them for both civilian life and to take full advantage of support offered to them.
Few, outside of servicemen and their families, understand the culture shock that can greet those who served full time over a period of years. As Jenkins states “you get used to everything being taken care of. They’re used to living in the barracks. Even though they are adults, they get used to that routine.”
That “routine” includes a disciplined military lifestyle governed by rules, regulations, and the orders and expectations of superiors. Many live in military housing, eat military-provided meals, live where the military directs, and must get military approval for a number of life decisions that civilians can do without reference to anyone else.
Jenkins says that many veterans who thrive in that environment may struggle to adapt to a civilian life that provides less and demands more in some ways. He notes that many of the changes in civilian life since the 9/11 attacks have made the fundamentals, including getting a job and housing, more difficult. The VFW offers a number of programs and connections to many more to assist in that important transition.
Another major mission of the VFW lies in advocating for American veterans and their families. Or, as Jenkins succinctly states, “ensuring promises are kept.” As the VFW website says “we regularly testify before Congress, meet with elected officials, and rally our national network of VFW members and patriotic supporters to ensure our lawmakers put veterans first.”
Over the decades this legislative work, again often in conjunction with the American Legion and others, has helped to obtain important benefits such as the GI Bill and its recent updates, better quality care at Veterans’ Administration hospitals, access to disability and other benefits, and much more.
As much good as the VFW has accomplished – with still much to be done as veterans of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other actions age – it faces fundamental challenges.
“For me, it just seemed natural to join,” said Jenkins as he discussed the membership declines affecting all veterans and other service organizations. He shared that his father’s example of serving in such organizations helped to encourage him to get involved in VFW.
“We’ve struggled with new groups of soldiers,” he said, adding that veterans have complicated and busy lives. “They are more into family, careers, and life in general. Time is pressing in this day and age” saying that younger generations “are not joiners.” Many support the mission of the VFW and will help when directly asked, but may not return consistently when the organization needs volunteers.
Additionally, as Jenkins says, the average age of a VFW member is currently 70.
Every organization has to adapt to changing technology and how it gets used in the 21st century and the VFW is no different. Jenkins described how it has developed apps for phones and computers that help those involved in such programs as the Voice of Democracy contest to more easily engage.
Members also promote the patriotic feeling that is the backbone of the American free society by making presentations in schools, participating in, or organizing Veterans’ Day events and other ceremonies. Locally, the VFW Posts also raise money through a number of fundraisers, including chicken barbeque, country ham sandwich, and other food sales.
Funds raised go right back into helping veterans locally in a number of ways.
Until a cure is found for war, America will continue to call on its men and women to occasionally stand up and defend natural rights granted by God and other freedoms held dear. Those men and women will need the VFW and similar organizations to support those who answered the call and made the sacrifice.
