On this day in 1899 the VFW was esrablished.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Inc., is a federally chartered corporation formed on September 29, 1899 by SpanishAmerican War veterans of the 17th U.S. Infantry.
The objects of the VFW are to: Speed rehabilitation of the nations disabled and needy veterans, assist veterans widows and orphans and the dependents of needy or disabled veterans, and promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism and by constructive service to local communities. The organization maintains both its legislative service and central office of its national rehabilitation service in Washington. The latter nationwide program serves disabled veterans of all wars, members and nonmembers alike, in matters of government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, civil-service employment preference, and etc.
Membership in the VFW is restricted to any active or honorably discharged officer or enlisted person who is a citizen of the United States and who has served in its armed forces "in any foreign war, insurrection or expedition, which service shall be recognized by the authorization or the issuance of a military campaign medal".