Graphic courtesy VFW Auxiliary of Pennsylvania

The VFW Part 2 — Auxiliary

December 4, 2022

In my last article, I wrote a bit about the VFW in the context of the PA State Commander for the current year, Henry Mannella. While at the testimonial dinner for him, I was introduced to the existence of the VFW Auxiliary.

I thought it was of interest because it revealed other ways to honor people who rendered service to their country on “foreign soil or in hostile waters.” I say “reveals” because I’m in my seventh decade of life with many veterans and currently active service members in my family and this was a new thing to me. It adds a bit of daylight to that service and some of the people who render it.

This auxiliary group started with a small group of women who wanted to serve veterans. It caught on, today having 450,000 members in all 50 states, the Philippines, Panama, and Guam. Some 3500 auxiliaries. As of 2015, as I understand what I’ve learned, it is no longer just for women. It is a diverse group with a common objective. A solemn goal. What do they do? I’m limited by space, but briefly, from a fact sheet available on the VFW auxiliary web page:

Veterans & Family Support
• Almost 400,000 veterans and family assisted
• 4 million dollars of goods/services to serving and veterans and families
• 2.3 million dollars in monetary donations
Scholarships
• $163,565 scholarships awarded
◦ For Continuing education (18+)
◦ For art and audio essay contests (Grades 9-12)
◦ For pen essay contests (Grades 6-8)
Legislative
• Contacts with legislators about veteran-related issues/concerns
Americanism
• 350,000+ American and MIA flags presented
• Certificates to citizens and businesses for flying the American flag
Hospitals
• 1.7 million spent on Hospital Program related items/services
• 250,000 hours volunteered in VA and non-VA medical facilities
• 17,000 Auxiliaries volunteered in Hospital Program
Youth Program
• Worked with 194,322 Youth Auxiliaries
• Worked with 6,291 youth groups Auxiliaries
• 8,141 youth recognized for their patriotism

A collection of bullet points is like a piece of plain toast; Dry cobble of information; a Skeletal set of facts. There is meat on those bones if you scratch just a little. A LOT of meat. More than I can present with any fair amount of justice in a thousand-ish words. Below the link for the fact sheet on the VFW Auxiliary web page is a set of category links expanding on each of the bullet points above and a few more for good measure. There is a lot of information on this organization. If you are interested in a greater share of support for those who served in foreign engagements, the VFW Auxiliary is a huge step in that direction. See what is being done. See if it does not inspire you to add to the efforts.

There is a way to make a practical personal expression of support for people who have some connection to those who made a personal dedication to this country. If you are eligible for membership you can join this auxiliary organization. (If you do not qualify as a member you can still donate. The work is worthwhile.)

I had never heard of the VFW Auxiliary before October 15, 2022. I do not bury my head in sand, and my family has served in the army, navy, air force, and marines. My father was a member of the VFW. I obviously was not looking in the right places to see the noble service the VFW Auxiliary organization renders, and I am not really a qualified spokesperson. More like a dilettante who stumbled on a shiny pebble. Still, a pebble worth sharing with any who want to contribute value to the support and recognition of those who served and qualify as Veterans of Foreign Wars; with any who look for a way to offer support.

Not all who served honorably were recognized properly in their time. The 1960s were a turbulent decade. The Vietnam War was roiling the country, particularly the young. It was protested widely. Those who supported it, and particularly those who fought it, came in for mistreatment, disrespect, and abuse. They served but were not honored for their service. They were not thanked. They were not recognized. They were not appreciated. The situation with service to country has changed dramatically since the Vietnam war. Soldiers these days are honored. Thanked. Respected. That is not to say that everything is sunshine and roses, but appreciation is almost universal now. Efforts of groups like the VFW and VFW Auxiliary surely helped that healing along.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), founded in 1899, is an exclusive organization. Membership extends to those who paid the high price of admission. They served in some capacity amid hostilities.

“Our Mission: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military, and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans”

Membership in the VFW is quite limited.
• Currently serving or honorably discharged and
• Served in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters

Membership in the VFW Auxiliary is also somewhat limited
• Be related to a veteran who has served overseas in a location of foreign conflict, earning campaign medals eligible. That veteran can be a living or deceased spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild.
• Step- and adopted parents, children, siblings (and half-siblings), grandparents, and grandchildren are considered the same as biological parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren and may join the VFW Auxiliary under their VFW-eligible veteran.

You can learn more at vfwauxiliary.org. Their call is for “supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving veterans, service members and their families, and spreading patriotism nationwide.” Not right, left, red, or blue. Focused on veterans. I am not a veteran but I’m learning all the time; Sharing with you when it is particularly worthwhile. This is truly a way for all to give some.

Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series examining the VFW. Parts One and Two were originally published in the Forest Press. To contact the author about this or other Forest County-related topics, email here.

         

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