Those Who Fought Together... Belong Together
REASONS TO JOIN THE VFW:
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Availability of the expert help of State and National V.F.W. Service Officers, as well as the Service Officer in your own Post, if you should need hospital care, educational, pension or other benefits for which you may wish to file a claim.
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V.F.W. help in protecting existing veteran benefits that you now receive, or that you may be entitled to in the future, through the effort of our V.F.W. National Legislative Service in Washington, D.C. and your own V.F.W. State Legislative Committee.
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An opportunity to take an active part in your V.F.W. Post's patriotic, community service, and youth activity programs.
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An opportunity to become an officer of your Post, thereby developing your talents as a competent public speaker and respected civic leader in your community.
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Satisfaction in knowing that you are supporting an organization that fights for maximum defense and security of our country.
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Free admission of your children to the V.F.W. National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, in the event of your death, with complete assurance that they will have every opportunity to grow up as proud, healthy and educated citizens.
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Receiving the V.F.W. Magazine, the State V.F.W. newspaper, and the Post newsletter bimonthly, which keeps you informed on all matters pertaining to your status as a veteran and subjects close to your heart as a patriotic American.
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Multiple Insurance plans sponsored by the VFW including our $1,000 Personal Accident Protection offered to all VFW members in good standing.
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VFW Approved Prescription Drug and Vitamin (VFW BeneVets Card) Program.
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Newest Member Benefits - Discounted Merchandise and Buying Program and VFW Travel Services (Non-Insurance VFW Benefits).
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Social functions hosted by the Post or District. Activities for yourself as well as members of your family at a none or minimal cost.
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The feeling of true comradeship that exists only among veterans who served overseas in time of war.
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The opportunity for your wife, daughter, granddaughter, mother or sister to join the Ladies Auxiliary, which works hand-in-hand with Post members in all V.F.W. functions and programs.
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VFW ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
The fundamental difference between our organization and other veterans organizations, and one in which we take great pride, is our eligibility qualifications.
There are three primary requisites for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States:
(1) Citizenship
(2) Honorable service in the armed forces of the United States
(3) Service entitling the applicant to the award of a recognized campaign medal or as set forth in the Congressional Charter and By-Laws and Manual of Procedure and Ritual.
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Sec. 103 -- ELECTION:
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Applications. After the applicant has filled out the application card, it should be provided to the post adjutant or quartermaster, together with the dues (and admission fee, if applicable). A receipt shall be given to the applicant.
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An applicant may be recommended after eligibility has been fully determined by the post reviewing committee. With respect to a department member-at-large, the department headquarters is responsible for the eligibility determination.
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The original application of every member will be retained on file with the adjutant.
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Balloting on Applications. Before voting on the application during a post meeting, the commander shall allow the members present an opportunity to state their objections, if any, to the admission of the applicant. Unless one member present shall request a written ballot, a vote shall be taken and a majority of the votes cast shall decide acceptance or rejection of the application.
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Rejection of Applicant. Should an applicant be rejected by the post, the admission fee and dues shall be returned. After one year (12 months), he may again make application, but a person shall not be proposed for membership more than twice in one post. An applicant rejected in one post may apply to another post or become a department member-at-large.
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Notification. The member shall be notified of his acceptance and that he is in good standing, subject to the by-laws governing the organization. The member shall receive a membership card and will be eligible to receive a lapel pin.
Obligation. New post members may receive the obligation according to the ritual.
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CHECKING ELIGIBILITY: Proof of service to establish eligibility for membership rests with the applicant. The post is
responsible for assuring the eligibility of every member accepted to membership. A careful check of eligibility at the time a person joins will save a great deal of trouble and embarrassment later. A veteran who is not accepted for membership because of ineligibility at the time of application is only disappointed. A member who is removed for ineligibility after having paid dues for several years is justifiably angry.
Assuming that a person is a United States citizen and has an honorable discharge from the U.S. armed forces, it only remains to be proven that the person has earned a recognized campaign medal or badge; served in Korea between June 30, 1949, until present; or earned Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay eligibility. Those people in the armed forces of the United States shall become eligible for membership immediately upon arrival on hostile soil, in hostile waters or the airspace above in the performance of service.
Discharges issued during and immediately after World War II have a section on the back listing the medals and decorations that have been earned. Persons discharged later received a DD-214, "Report of Separation" form, which lists the medals and decorations on the front. Lost separation documents can be replaced by completing and submitting GSA Standard Form 180, "Request Pertaining to Military Records."
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There is always a possibility of an omission on the separation documents. If an applicant claims entitlement to a medal, which is not shown on the individual's separation papers, that person may request verification and correction of records by submitting a GSA Standard Form 180.
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The GSA Standard Form 180 is available from any office of the Veterans’ Affairs or state veterans’ departments. The form must be completed and signed by the veteran in order to receive the information requested or authorize the release of the information to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Request for records can also be obtained through the National Personnel Records Center at www.archives.gov/veterans.
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For subsequent service, refer to Sec. 101 of the Manual of Procedure.
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ELIGIBILITY REGULATIONS: The following is to be used as a guide in determining eligibility for membership. The following campaign medals and the periods issued have been authorized by the United States of America, and the holder of any such medal or medals is recognized as possessing the campaign medal requisite of eligibility.
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Campaign Military Qualifying Medals Service Dates​
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Corps Feb. 12, 1874 - Open
Spanish Campaign Army May 11, 1898 - Aug. 16, 1898
Navy Apr. 20, 1898 - Dec. 10, 1898
Army of Cuba Occupation Army Jul. 18, 1898 - May 20, 1902
Army of Puerto Rico Occupation Army Aug. 14, 1898 - Dec. 10, 1898
Philippine Campaign Army Feb. 4, 1899 - Dec. 31, 1913
Navy Feb. 4, 1899 - Sep. 15, 1906
China Relief Expedition Army Jun. 20, 1900 - May 27, 1901
Navy Apr. 5, 1900 - May 27, 1901
Cuban Pacification Army Oct. 6, 1906 - Apr. 1, 1909
Navy Sep. 12, 1906 - Apr. 1, 1909
Mexican Service Army Apr. 12, 1911 - Jun. 16, 1919
Navy Apr. 12, 1914 - Feb. 7, 1917
First Nicaraguan Campaign Navy Jul. 29, 1912 - Nov. 14, 1912
Haitian Campaign Navy Jul. 9, 1915 - Dec. 6, 1915
Apr. 1, 1919 - Jun. 15, 1920
Dominican Campaign Navy May 4, 1916 - Dec. 5, 1916
World War I Victory Army Apr. 6, 1917 - Apr. 1, 1920
(with battle or service clasp incl. Navy Apr. 6, 1917 - Mar. 30, 1920
Siberia and European Russia)
Army Occup. of Germany Army Nov. 12, 1918 - Jul. 11, 1923
Second Nicaraguan Campaign Navy Aug. 27, 1926 - Jan. 2, 1933
Yangtze Service Navy Sep. 3, 1926 - Oct. 21, 1927
Mar. 1, 1930 - Dec. 31, 1932
China Service Navy Jul. 7, 1937 - Sep. 7, 1939
Sep. 2, 1945 - Apr. 1, 1957
American Defense Service Army-Navy Sep. 8, 1939 - Dec. 7, 1941
(with foreign service clasp)
European-African- Army-Navy Dec. 7, 1941 - Nov. 8, 1945
Middle Eastern Campaign
American Campaign Army-Navy Dec. 7, 1941 - Mar. 2, 1946
(30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty outside continental limits of the U.S.)
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Army-Navy Dec. 7, 1941 - Mar. 2, 1946
Army of Occupation
(30 consecutive days of duty)
Italy May 9, 1945 - Sep. 15, 1947
Germany (except West Berlin) May 9, 1945 - May 5, 1955
Austria May 9, 1945 - Jul. 27, 1955
Germany (West Berlin) May 9, 1945 - Oct. 2, 1990
Korea Sep. 3, 1945 - Jun. 29, 1949
Japan Sep. 3, 1945 - Apr. 27, 1952
Navy Occupation Service Medal
Italy May 8, 1945 - Dec. 15, 1947
Trieste May 8, 1945 - Oct. 26, 1954
Germany (except West Berlin) May 8, 1945 - May 5, 1955
Austria May 8, 1945 - Oct. 25, 1955
Asiatic Pacific Sep. 2, 1945 - Apr. 27, 1952
Korean Service Medal
Army, Navy, Air Force Jun. 27, 1950 - Jul. 27, 1954
Navy & Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
Cuban Military Operation Jan. 3, 1961 - Oct. 23, 1962
Thailand Military Operation May 16, 1962 - Aug. 10, 1962
Iranian, Yemen & Indian Ocean Operation Dec. 8, 1978 - Jun. 6, 1979
Nov. 21, 1979 - Oct. 20, 1981
Lebanon Aug. 20, 1982 - May 31, 1983
Libyan Expedition Jan. 20, 1986 - Jun. 27, 1986
Persian Gulf Feb. 1, 1987 - Jul. 23, 1987
Panama Apr. 1, 1988 - Dec. 19, 1989
(pre and post invasion) Feb. 1, 1990 - Jun. 13, 1990
Operation Sharp Edge - Liberia Aug. 5, 1990 - Feb. 21, 1991
Operation Distant Runner - Rwanda Apr. 7-18, 1994
(11th Marine Exped. Unit USS Peleliu)
Vietnam Service Medal Jul. 4, 1965 - Mar. 8, 1973
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
(30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty)
Lebanon Jul. 1, 1958 - Nov. 1, 1958
Taiwan Straits Aug. 23, 1958 - Jan. 1, 1959
Quemoy & Matsu Islands Aug. 23, 1958 - Jun. 1, 1963
Vietnam Jul. 1, 1958 - Jul. 3, 1965
Congo Jul. 14, 1960 - Sep. 1, 1962
Laos Apr. 19, 1961 - Oct. 7, 1962
Berlin Aug. 14, 1961 - Jun. 1, 1963
Cuba Oct. 24, 1962 - Jun. 1, 1963