ABOUT US

 How VFW Department of Oregon Was Started

                                   
                                 Oregon History The story starts here

  National History

The VFW 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. 
Since then, the VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
 
The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.

Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.

From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there.

FOLLOW US

Commander's Corner

Commander Andrea Summerlin

 

Greetings Comrades and Auxiliary Members,

 

We are several months into a new program year, and I hope Posts and Districts are working hard together with their Auxiliaries to accomplish our goals. Many of us traveled to Louisville, Kentucky in July to represent Oregon at the National Convention. We returned home feeling energized with new ideas, a strategic plan, and are all in for the 24-25 year! I would encourage you to attend next year in Columbus, Ohio as the VFW celebrates 125 years of service.

 

We started July with a few challenges, but we all understand that adversity can build character and resilience. After all, the ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenges and controversy (Martin Luther King Jr). I want to thank you for your patience as we work through this situation and remind everyone that as a department, we will get through this even stronger and better than before.

 

This is fair and farmer’s market season and the time to be out recruiting for new members.   Your department currently has a recruiting booth at the Oregon State Fair and will be at the Oregon International Air Show and the Rose City Comic-Con. Thank you to those who volunteered to work a shift or two at the booth. It takes all of us to make it happen and I appreciate each one of you stepping up to help out.

 

Ed Stafanik, National Membership, hosted a recruiting training at Post 661 in Salem which was well attended. He also assisted at the fair providing valuable experience to our new membership chair, Kristine Sweezy. Our goal is to finish the year at or above 102% membership so do not wait to engage potential members in your communities. Let us not forget about encouraging our current annual members to become life members and our life members to join the Legacy family.

 

I appreciate Post 3232 (Commander Richard Earnest) in Florence hosting our first Officer Training School on 24 August. Thank you, District 14 Commandeer Bruce Andrade, for all your support and marketing the event, especially in your area. Bert Key, Committee Chair, coordinated excellent training geared toward District and Post officers. Another training will be held at Post 4060 in Union on 14 October. Registration will be online at the Department website (OTS).

 

Department Representatives will be attending upcoming District meetings over the next few months. A reminder that audits and bonds are due soon and inspections should be accomplished by 31 October. I will be scheduling a School of Instruction for this fall hopefully in conjunction with a joint Homecoming event. Check the Department website for more information soon as we are still planning it.

 

In closing, I want to leave you with some wisdom from my ancestor, Robert the Bruce, King of Scots. He once told his warriors in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn that "You are gathered here with me, so it is needful that you be strong, bold, and without fear. If you believe in this way, you will surely have victory.” 

 

We might not be at war against the army of King Edward II of England, but we have a different type of battle. This is a fight for the survival of our organization, for new members, our earned benefits, to have the country remember our sacrifices, and to accomplish our overall goals.  By staying strong, being bold, and working together, we will achieve victory!

 

In Comradeship,

 

 

Andrea D. Summerlin

Commander