VFW Marks 100 Years of Service

Programs marking the 100th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars are being planned by members of VFW Post 7153.

VFW Post Commander Gerald Williamson said "We invite everyone to come and help us celebrate our centennial birthday. As veterans, and as residents of this great town, we are proud to take and active interest in our community and the well-being of its citizens," We are hosting supper starting at 6:00 p.m.. at the Fire Hall in Fleming, Colorado. The menu will be B-B-Q pork sandwiches, baked beans and chips and iced tea.

The VFW was formed from groups founded in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish-American War (1989) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902). In 1914, these and other similar groups joined together to form the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Today, with more than 10.000 VFW Posts worldwide, -and over 2 million members, the VFW provides a wide range of services to veterans and their families. Through its legislative work, the VFW ensures that laws are passed providing entitlements needed by those who have served our country. Through a nationwide system of service officers, assistance is provided to all veterans and their families in obtaining the help and services provided by federal and state agencies. Funding for this program, as well as the VFW National Home for veterans" children, comes from donations made for VFW Buddy Poppies.

The VFW's premier program for youth is its Voice of Democracy Scholarship program, which annually provides over $2 million in scholarships to high school students. Sports, hunter safety, Scouts and ROTC support are among some of the other youth programs conducted by VFW members.

VFW co, unity service projects offer veterans and their families the opportunity to take part 'in building a better America through building better communities. Erecting military memorials, highway clean-up projects, flags on veterans- graves, fund-raisers for the sick and homeless, carnivals for children, disaster-relief, support for local schools,, volunteers in veterans hospitals, care for the elderly, and civic improvements are just a few of the community service projects undertaken by the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW,

Allegiance to country and flag, and support of the ideals on which America was founded is the purpose of the VFW Citizenship Education program. And to ensure that America has a strong national defense and a firm foreign policy, the `VFW National Security and Foreign Affairs program conveys the interests of VFW members to Congress, the Departments of Defense and State, and the White House.

Through federal and state legislation and coordination with private industry, the VFW promotes employment for those who have served this country and helped to maintain its legacy of freedom and democracy.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is an opportunity for veterans to continue to serve their country. For 100 years it has grown in strength, power and influence, and today ranks as the 16th most powerful membership organization in the country in getting things done for its members and for the nation, a distinction which also identified the VFW as being the nation's leading veterans organization.