What is the VFW?
By Dave Rowland
As I talk to some of my peers that are either
still on active duty
or recently separated from the Army and tell them I am volunteering at
the VFW, they commonly respond by asking, “So what are you doing?
Sitting around drinking beer?”
This is still a common misconception that many young veterans who’ve
served in Iraq and Afghanistan have of the organization. I was also one
of them until I became an active member. At one point in the VFW’s
history, it was one of the few places where veterans could go and talk
to other veterans about some of the experiences they had in Europe, the
Pacific, Korea, Vietnam and a host of other countries scattered
throughout the world. There weren’t any clinics, doctors or other
official support networks established that focused on the mental trauma
experienced by veterans.
The VFW is much more than a place for fellowship with other veterans or
to connect with previous generations that have answered our Nation’s
call to duty. Many veterans and members of the armed services don’t
know how active and supportive the VFW is for those of us who have
served or are serving our country overseas.
I’ve learned that the VFW was the main veteran’s
service
organization that ensured the passage of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.
This new GI Bill will benefit us veterans and our families for years to
come. Veterans can now return from fighting in the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan with the ability to go back to school full-time, even with
a family, and then re-enter the work force. I never knew about the
tremendous amount of work and commitment it took the VFW to get the
bill passed in Congress.
One of the most important components of the VFW is that it assists
wounded and disabled veterans in receiving the VA benefits they
deserve. I had no idea about the complexities involved when determining
the category of a wounded or disabled veteran. I quickly learned that
the VFW has an entire department dedicated to assisting veterans
navigating the VA bureaucratic process, which might otherwise overwhelm
a young returning soldier or even a hardened NCO. The VFW has Field
Representatives throughout the country and scattered around the world
specifically to assist veterans once they leave the military.
When I put one of the NCOs whom I used to work with in touch with one
of the Field Representatives, he was shocked that the VFW had programs
like this. I must admit, so was I.
The VFW makes sure that the veteran is never taken for granted and
provides the assistance needed when he or she does not know where to
turn.
Of course none of this would be possible without
the grassroots
membership of individual veterans that join their local VFW post. Many
young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are reluctant to join the VFW for
various reasons. I say to them, “Go and join!” There are many local
posts that are active in their local communities and do a variety of
community service and sponsor programs that promote further service to
our Nation. Where else will you find a group of individuals welcoming
you at 2 o’clock in the morning when your plane arrives at the airport
in the States for R&R or as you are coming home from deployment?
If only older veterans compose the VFW, then who will change and evolve
the VFW to meet the needs of our generation or future challenges? Who
will greet the next generation when they come home from serving the
United States overseas? We must take the torch from the older veterans
and bear the responsibility to take care of our fellow veterans and
continue community service.
Dave Rowland is a volunteer at the VFW National
Headquarters
Legislative Branch in Washington D.C. He is an active duty infantry
officer with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dave is currently
pursuing a master’s degree at Georgetown University.
