Reaching out into our communities is vital to our
organization, developing relationships with community leaders, media, school
faculty and local civic groups can greatly assist each post in achieving the
VFW mission.
How a Post interacts with its community determines the
relevancy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Someone once said, "People
don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The VFW and
its Auxiliary’s ability to impact veterans, youth, political issues,
patriotism, civic pride, volunteerism, almost anything you can name, is
directly dependent upon the Post being recognized as a caring and involved
participant in the community.
Veterans Day
Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly commemorate the
contributions of living veterans. Armistice Day officially received its name in
America in 1926 through a congressional resolution. It became a national
holiday 12 years later by similar congressional action.
If World War I had been "the war to end all wars,"
November 11 might be still called Armistice Day. Realizing that peace was
equally preserved by veterans of World War II and Korea, Congress decided to
make the day an occasion to honor all those who have served America. In 1954
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as
Veterans Day. (Historically, the first Veterans Day parade was held in 1953 in
Emporia, Kansas.)
A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of
Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however,
that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans.
Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.
Pearl Harbor Day
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese bombers staged
a surprise attack on U.S. military and naval forces in Hawaii. In a devastating
defeat, the United States suffered 3,435 casualties and loss of or severe
damage to 188 planes, 8 battleships, 3 light cruisers, and 4 miscellaneous
vessels. Japanese losses were less than 100 personnel, 29 planes, and 5 midget
submarines.
The day after the attack, before a joint session of
Congress, President Roosevelt asked Congress for a declaration of war against
Japan. President Roosevelt's message conveyed the national outrage over the
Pearl Harbor attack by pronouncing December 7, 1941 "a date which will live
in infamy."
DR expressed outrage at Japan and confidence in the
"inevitable triumph" of the United States. On December 8, 1941, the
United States declared war against Japan; on December 11 Germany and Italy
declared war against the United States.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day, May 30 (traditional), is a sacred day to all
war veterans. America's collective consciousness demands that all citizens be
reminded of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime. By honoring
the nation's war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service and
sacrifice. All U.S. flags should be displayed at half-staff during the morning
hours. At noon, they should be raised back to full-staff.
The Meaning of Memorial Day
It’s a sacred day to all war veterans: None need to be reminded
of the reason that Memorial Day must be commemorated. But what about the
general public, and more important, future generations? Do most non-veterans
really recognize the importance of the day honoring their fellow Americans
killed in war?
Judging from what Memorial Day has become — simply another
day off from work — the answer is a resounding no. Perhaps a reminder is due,
then. And it is the duty of each and every veteran to relay the message.
Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime.
Far too often, the nation as a whole takes for granted the
freedoms all Americans enjoy. Those freedoms were paid for with the lives of
others few of us actually knew. That’s why they are all collectively remembered
on one special day.
This should be regarded as a civic obligation. For this is a
national debt that can only be truly repaid by individual Americans. By
honoring the nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service
and sacrifice in the memories of future generations.
They came from all walks of life and regions of the country.
But they all had one thing in common — love of and loyalty to country. This
bond cemented ties between them in times of trials, allowing a diverse lot of
Americans to achieve monumental ends.
We remember the loss of loved ones, a sense of loss that
takes group form. In essence, America is commemorating those who made the greatest
sacrifice possible — giving one’s own life on behalf of others.
Means of paying tribute vary. Pausing for a few moments of
personal silence is available to everyone.
Attending commemorative ceremonies is the most visible way
of demonstrating remembrance: Placing flags at grave sites, marching in
parades, sponsoring patriotic programs, dedicating memorials and wearing Buddy
Poppies are examples.
Whether done individually or collectively, it is the thought
that counts. Personal as well as public acts of remembering are the ideal.
Public displays of patriotism are essential if the notion of remembering war
dead is to be instilled in youth.
As America’s older war veterans fast disappear from
society’s landscape, there are fewer and fewer standard-bearers left to carry
the torch of remembrance. Such traditions will live on only if there is a
vibrant movement to which that torch can be passed.
Independence Day
On July 4, 1776, the signers of the Declaration of
Independence boldly asserted that all are "created equal, that they are
endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." With these words, our
forefathers formed a new nation and put forth a vision of liberty and democracy
that would forever alter history. Every Fourth of July, Americans celebrate
this pivotal moment in our history, which set into motion the development of a
land of freedom and opportunity unequalled in the world.
Patriot Day
Those whom we lost September 11, 2001, will forever hold a
cherished place in our hearts and in the history of our nation. By a joint
resolution approved December 18, 2001, (Public Law 107-89), Congress authorized
the president to designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day"
to perpetuate the memory of those who perished in the attack on America and to
pursue peace and justice in the world and security at home. Appropriate
ceremonies and activities include a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m.
EDT, remembrance services and candlelight vigils. Flags should be flown at
half-staff on Patriot Day.
Loyalty Day
Loyalty Day originally began as "Americanization
Day" in 1921 as a counter to the Communists' May 1 celebration of the
Russian Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New
York's Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in
1949, May 1 evolved into Loyalty Day. Observances began in 1950 on April 28 and
climaxed May 1 when more than five million people across the nation held
rallies. In New York City, more than 100,000 people rallied for America. In
1958 Congress enacted Public Law 529 proclaiming Loyalty Day a permanent fixture
on the nation's calendar.
POW/MIA Recognition Day
POW/MIA Recognition Day honors the commitments and the
sacrifices made by our nation's prisoners of war and those who are still
missing in action.
By custom, it is on the third Friday in September.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the six days
specified by law on which the black POW/MIA flag shall be flown over federal
facilities and cemeteries, post offices and military installations. Discover
more about POW/MIA Recognition Day's history.
Flag Day
Flag Day is June 14 and celebrates the official symbol for
the United States: our Stars and Stripes. Flag Day was first recognized by
Congress on June 14, 1777, which became know as Flag Day.
Not only is the U.S. flag older than the Union Jack of Great
Britain and the tri-color flag of France, but also is the only flag to have
been flown on the moon.
Congress first stated that there should be a star and stripe
for every state. Our first flag had 13 stars and 7 red and 6 white stripes. In
1794, two new states were added and we had a flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes.
By 1818 there were 20 states, but our county was still using the flag with 15
stars and 15 stripes. Congress thought about having 20 stripes and agreed that
it might become a problem because of its size so they passed a law that said
there would be 13 stripes for the original 13 states, and they would add a star
for each new state that joined the union.
The U.S. flag is 13 stripes: seven red and six white. A blue
field with 50 stars is located next to the staff in the upper left corner of
the flag. It extends from the top to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe.
The stars are arranged in alternating rows of six and five representing the 50
states of the United States. The stars do not represent any given state.
The colors used in the flag give special meaning to the
flag: Red for valor and zeal; white for hope and cleanliness of life; and blue
— the color of heaven — for reverence and loyalty.
The stars are an ancient symbol of the heavens. Our flag’s
50 stars represent each state as part of the nation, but also a separate level
of government. Our federal government was not given the power to control, so
that each state would be able to govern themselves in those things they could
do better. When you are looking at the flag, you are looking at the magnificent
history of all Americans who have lived before us, your own ancestors, the most
enduring nation of free people that has ever existed.
VA Volunteer Service
For more than 118 years, ensuring veterans receive the care
and benefits they deserve has been one of our top priorities. Since the VA's
Voluntary Service (VAVS) program's inception in 1946, our members and
supporters have been volunteering their time at VA medical facilities nationwide,
donating hundreds of thousands of service hours annually and providing much
needed support and companionship to our nation’s heroes and their families.
Making the decision to volunteer and donate your personal
time to our nation's heroes while they are receiving care at a VA facility is
an amazing way to give back and thank those who have sacrificed so much for our
freedom.
Everyone can help make a difference to a veteran and
volunteering through our service program makes it easy!
The VFW VA Voluntary Service program offers a unique level
of support and experience that only an organization with a strong service
history like ours can provide. From experienced VFW mentors with a clear
understanding of VA infrastructure and providing the support you need, to
national recognition for volunteer accomplishments and dedication, we're here
to ensure sure you get the most out of your volunteer service experience.
With over 6,000 regular volunteers at over 150 health care
facilities, our volunteer representatives perform a vital role at VA health
care facilities nationwide. We can help identify volunteer opportunities that
align with your interests, such as sports and recreation, social work, arts and
music, personal assistance, writing, chapel services, companionship,
transportation and escort services and so much more.