WHEREAS, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) traces its beginnings to 1899 when veterans of Cuba and the Philippines met separately to form organizations that would represent them in their quest for medical care and pensions; and

WHEREAS, This was especially important since the government provided little for them in benefits or care, even for those disabled or those who suffered from tropical diseases; and

WHEREAS, In September, 1899, the first group was formed in Columbus, Ohio, and was called “The American Veterans of Foreign Service”; and

WHEREAS, In December, 1899, “The Society of the Army of the Philippines” was formed in Denver, Colorado and three separate groups of Cuban, Chinese, and Philippine service veterans were formed in Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, By 1914, the need to have one all-encompassing national veterans organization was obvious, and, on the eve of World War I (WWI), an amalgamation of the separate groups took place and the name “Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States” was adopted; and

WHEREAS, Following WWI, the VFW grew rapidly, and during the 1920’s, it was instrumental in the creation of the United States Veterans Bureau, later to become the Department of Veterans Affairs with a representative in the President’s Cabinet, another major accomplishment of the VFW; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the 20th century, the VFW has grown in size and influence, and includes within its ranks veterans of all the wars and conflicts; and

WHEREAS, Across the spectrum of veterans’ entitlements, the VFW has led the way proposing legislation and lobbying Congress for its passage; and

WHEREAS, Today, with over 2,000,000 members, the VFW offers its services to members and nonmembers alike as it continues to fulfill the commitment adopted by its founders in 1899: “Honor the Dead by Helping the Living”; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, the 102nd anniversary of the VFW, we will celebrate over 10 decades of service to veterans and service to the nation through the VFW’s many programs and projects and will set the course for the next 100 years; now, therefore, be it