PROGRAMS

VFW Programs

Since its founding, the VFW has been a staple in the community. Youth activities, troop support, volunteering, and scholarship programs are a few of the ways the VFW shines in the many communities and cities where Posts are located.

Community Service, Youth Scholarships and Activities

Voice of Democracy

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships ranges from $1,000 to $21,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. For more information, click HERE

Patriot’s Pen

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of almost $1 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000!

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. For more information, click HERE

Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award: Teacher of the Year

The VFW annually recognizes one exceptional elementary, junior, and high school teacher for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. Awards include $1,000 for professional development, $1,000 for his/her school, and an all-expense-paid trip to attend the VFW National Convention. In addition, the top 10 high school Teacher of the Year recipients will have an opportunity to attend a graduate-level Medal of Honor Character Development program at Freedoms Foundation. For more information, click HERE

VFW Scouting: Scout of the Year

Some of our earliest ties to the community involve youth groups, and perhaps none are stronger or more lasting than the relationship between the VFW and America's scouting organizations. In fact, our partnership with the Boy Scouts of America dates back to 1915, when VFW Post 2100 helped to establish Troop 1 in Everett, Washington.

Our Scout of the Year program provides members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to be recognized for their standout citizenship, patriotism, and love of country. For more information, click HERE

VFW "Buddy" Poppy Program

The oldest and perhaps most historically significant program is the VFW "Buddy" Poppy program.

Since 1922, the "Buddy”® Poppy has been an integral part of the VFW community. As VFW’s official memorial flower, the Poppy represents the blood shed by American service members. It reiterates the VFW will not forget their sacrifices.

The poppy movement was inspired by Canadian Army Col. John McCrae’s famous poem, "In Flanders Fields.” Poppies were originally distributed by the Franco-American Children’s League to benefit children in the devastated areas of France and Belgium following WWI. In 1922, VFW conducted a campaign and got Poppies from France. Members soon discovered it took too long to get the flowers in from France, and they came up with a better idea. Disabled, hospitalized, and aging veterans could make the paper flowers and ship them out to the members for distribution.

And so it was known that for veterans in VA hospitals and domiciliaries and in state veterans’ homes, every day would be VFW "Buddy”® Poppy Day. These men and women assemble the poppies, tie them in bunches of 10, and pack them in boxes of 500, 1,000, or 2,000 for shipment to the Posts and Auxiliaries.

VFW pays the disabled veteran for the work. In most cases, this extra money provides additional income for the worker to pay for the little luxuries that make life more tolerable. Furthermore, poppy assembly is often used as a therapy program to provide exercise for fingers and hands crippled by wounds, disease, and the effects of old age. Another reason Poppies are so important is because all proceeds from distribution are used for veteran’s welfare or for the wellbeing of their needy dependents and the orphans of veterans. More than 2,300 children of veterans have been or are being cared for in the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, thanks to a portion of Poppy funds. For more information, click HERE

Veterans and Military Support Programs

VFW Unmet Needs

This program administers emergency financial grants to military families to help cover basic expenses like mortgage payments, childcare, food, and more. Since 2004, 10,660 grants have been issued totaling more than $11.9 million. Click HERE to see more information about the Burger King fundraising activities.

Military Assistance Program (MAP)

Every day, we provide unwavering support to our troops. Our members offer support to the military community in many different ways, whether that means helping military families get through long deployments or hosting send-off and welcome home events. The VFW knows how important troop support is because all of our members have been there. For more information, click HERE

The Military Assistance Grant process is intended as financial assistance for Posts, Districts, and Departments to sponsor events for active-duty military units, the National Guard, and reserves. For more information, click HERE

The Adopt-A-Unit program was developed as a means to pledge support of the Post to the service members and families of a unit from the local military community. The Post makes a commitment to the service members and their families to provide moral and emotional support before, during, and after deployment. For more information, click HERE

Student Veteran Support

Today's veterans can face any number of obstacles while furthering their education. Taking advantage of all the benefits you've earned and DESERVE shouldn't be one of them! This is why we have teamed up with Student Veterans of America and Sport Clips Haircuts to provide the assistance you need. For more information, click HERE