For our web site privacy policy please see bottom of this email

Can anyone who served in the military during a time of war eligible for the VFW?
No. It’s through service to this country that all our membership earned their elite status. The fundamental difference between our organization and other veterans organizations, and one in which we take great pride, is our eligibility qualifications. If you have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay, then you’re eligible to join our ranks.

VFW welcomes all who meet our eligibility criteria. Many of our youngest members earned their eligibility serving in Guard and Reserve units which were activated. Thousands of VFW members joined through their service in U.N. Peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Egypt and other countries. If you never left the U.S. or you deployed to a region not identified as eligible for the VFW, then you cannot join as a regular member. You may be able to join a Post as a social member.

How can I prove my eligibility?
You can use your DD 214, deployment orders, pay stub showing imminent danger or hostile fire pay, or official government documentation showing receipt of the above proof of eligibility. Lost separation documents can be replaced by completing and submitting GSA Standard Form 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records” available on the National Archives web site.

Why should I join if I don’t want to go to my local Post?
While many of members enjoy the social aspects of their Post, the real value of VFW membership is defined by getting inexpensive meals and refreshments. Your membership supports a proven network of programs that support veterans, military personnel, their loved ones, and communities. Some our most active Posts are “paper Posts” that don’t own buildings, but their commitment to VFW programs and serving others is strong.

Simply put, we have your back. We’re in Washington and Harrisburg to speak on veterans’ behalf. We’re at military events to help send off our brave troops. You’ll see us at military funerals honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. VFW Posts provide community service that improves your neighborhood. We’re all of this and so much more—simple in words but complex and multi-faceted in action. For the cost of two large pizzas, your membership investment delivers great a return for you, your comrades, those defending freedom today and citizens on the home front.

We do hope, though, that you actively support your local VFW Post with your time and energy.

Is the VFW just for older veterans?
Veteran of all ages—even the nation’s newest generation of combat vets—benefit from VFW membership. There are just as many VFW programs and activities benefitting younger veterans as those helping veterans from earlier combat eras. The common bond that exists between our members, regardless of when they served, gives us shared values, common interests and unique needs. That’s why many of those leaving military service today or those just back from deployment quickly join the VFW.

You may not have the time today to be active in Post programs, but you still benefit by how we carry forward the VFW’s mission. You’ll appreciate how we help you transition into civilian life and the camaraderie of being around other combat veterans. Younger veterans are becoming VFW officers and they are making their Posts more family friendly. If you need to talk about your military experiences with someone who’s “been there”—when other people might not understand the issues you face—we here for you.

Isn’t the VFW just a bar?
No. Bars and taverns serve anyone who walks off the street and exist to make a profit. VFW Posts are chartered as non-profit, membership driven service organizations with a mission of “honoring the dead by helping the living.” We exist to serve and support veterans from all service eras, our troops, military families and communities through an array of activities. Elected VFW Post officers are charged with keeping the Post in full support of the VFW mission and in compliance with state and national VFW regulations and Commonwealth laws.

Monies earned through Post operation of canteens are not distributed as profits. Food and beverage sales revenue is invested back into the Post to cover the costs of staying open as a non-profit service organization.

Can a Social Club or its Officers run the VFW Post?
No. VFW Post By-Laws and operating procedures are designed to keep the Post in control of all operations. The Post Commander is in charge of all decisions, not the Club Manager. The Post Quartermaster is in charge of all funds. The VFW mission should drive all direction on the social side. That’s why VFW social club rules require that only VFW members serve on the social club board. There are no exceptions. Call the State Adjutant/Quartermaster for guidance when dealing with Post control issues. 

Are VFW Posts Still Making a Positive Difference in PA?
The VFW mission has never been more important. Our ability to have a significant impact on veterans, troops and military families has never been greater. Through our legislative advocacy, the VFW protects the interests of those we serve. The VFW is credited with creating grassroots support for some of the nation’s most critical veterans’ legislation including the creation of the VA healthcare system and the GI Bills. We continue to rally behind legislation that gives our veterans, troops and their loved ones the service and assistance they deserve.

The VFW contributes millions of dollars and millions of volunteer hours every year. In Pennsylvania alone, VFW units donate approximately $3 million in scholarships, youth program support, charitable donations, public safety donations and other community support each year and volunteer more than $10 million worth of community service. VFW State Service Officers, who are trained to represent veterans in VA matters, connect veterans with more than $30 million in federal benefits every year.

The value of VFW support of military personnel and their families is immeasurable. We provide free phone calls to home, give grants to military families facing hardship due to deployment, adopt entire units and support families while their spouse is deployed. Our military duty and experiences of our families help today’s troops and their loved ones to endure deployments with less emptiness and anxiety.

The impact of our service is far reaching and life changing—and mission critical. That’s why the VFW continues to lead the way as the world’s most effective combat veterans organization. No other organization does more for veterans.

Web Site Privacy Policy
VFW Logo Use 
The VFW logo is a registered trademark of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Use of the name and/or the logo without written permission of the VFW is prohibited.

VFW Privacy Policy 
This is the website of the Department of Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, which is owned and operated by Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW). The Department maintains the site as a service to its members and visitors, subject to the following terms and conditions concerning the use of the site (“Terms of Use”). When you use the site, you accept the Terms of Use; if you do not agree to the Terms of Use you may not use the site. VFW reserves the right to modify content on the Site and these Terms of Use periodically without prior notice.

We do not use this website to collect any personally identifiable information about you other than what you provide voluntarily. We may use such voluntarily provided information to improve our understanding of your interests, to improve our services, or to contact you. It is our policy not to share or disclose personal information of our donors or contacts to third parties for the third parties’ direct marketing purposes if you request that we not do so. If you do not want any personally identifiable information about yourself collected through this site, please do not provide it. At your request we will make reasonable efforts to remove any such information from our records. You may submit your request by e-mail dsandman@vfwpahq.org ), calling (717) 234-7927 or  by mail PA VFW State HQ, 4002 Fenton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109.

If you do not wish to receive electronic communications or mailings from us, please let us know by sending e-mail to us at the above address. Please provide us with your exact name, email address and mailing address.

Persons who supply us with their telephone numbers online may receive telephone contact from us with information regarding requests they have made online.

If you visit the websites of any of our partners, please consult their privacy policy.

Use of Content on the Site
You may view, download and print VFW-originated contents from the site subject to the following conditions: (a) the content may be used solely for information purposes; and (b) the content may not be modified or altered in any way. You may not republish, distribute, prepare derivative works, or otherwise use the content other than as explicitly permitted herein.

You may not frame or use framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo, or other proprietary information (including images, text, page layout, or form) of VFW without the express written consent of VFW. You may not use any meta tags or any other “hidden text” using VFW’s name or trademarks without the express written consent of VFW. You may not use any VFW logo or other proprietary graphic or trademark as part of the link without express written permission.

You do not acquire any ownership rights to any content in the site. Any unauthorized use terminates the permission or license granted by VFW.

Reviews, Comments, Communications and Other Content 
You may submit comments and provide other content so long as the content is not obscene, illegal, threatening, or defamatory and so long as the content does not invade the privacy or infringe the intellectual property of a third party. Further, such content may not contain software viruses, mass mailings, chain letters, or any form of “spam.” You may not use a false e-mail address, impersonate any person or entity, or otherwise mislead as to the origin of the information.

By submitting information, you grant VFW a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable right to reproduce, use, modify, publish, adapt, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such content throughout the world in any media. By submitting information you also represent and warrant that the content is accurate; you own or have permission to use the content that you submit; and that use of the content will not cause injury to any person or entity.

Products and Services Offered By VFW on the Site
VFW offers products and services on the site. When you enroll to obtain a product or service from VFW on the site, you accept the specific agreement applicable to that product or service. Your use of any such product or service offered on the site is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for that product or service. Except as provided in that agreement, VFW does not warrant that any product descriptions or content contained in this website is accurate, current, reliable, complete, or error-free.

Copyright Information
The site and the content within the site are the property of Department of PA VFW or its suppliers and are protected by United States copyright laws. The compilation, organization and display of the content as well as all software and inventions used on and in connection with this site are the exclusive property of VFW. VFW reserves all rights in the site and its content not specifically granted in any agreements with VFW or in the Terms of Use.