Who is eligible
VFW membership is for veterans and active-duty service members who served honorably in a foreign war, campaign, or expedition. In practice, eligibility usually comes from one of:
- A recognized campaign or expeditionary medal for overseas service
- Hostile fire or imminent danger pay
- Qualifying service in Korea
That covers Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War, Somalia, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and a good deal more besides. Eras that get overlooked are still eras — if you served overseas in something that felt like nothing at the time, check anyway.
Not sure whether you qualify? Bring your DD-214 to the post and someone will look at it with you. Nobody will make you feel foolish for asking, and plenty of people find out they were eligible for years without knowing it.
What you need
Your DD-214 (or current orders and proof of the qualifying service, if you are still serving). That is genuinely it. If you cannot find your DD-214, say so — the post can point you at how to request a copy.
How to join
Come to the post, or call first if you would rather. Someone will sit down with you, check your paperwork, explain what dues run, and get the application filled out. It takes about twenty minutes.
You can also join at a meeting, or at the canteen most evenings. There is no wrong door.
The membership meeting is the second Thursday of every month at 1830, 2nd floor. The next one is .
Why bother
Partly it is the programs — the Honor Guard, the relief fund, the scholarships — which only exist because members keep them running. Partly it is the VFW's weight in Washington on veterans' benefits, which comes from membership numbers.
And partly it is that a lot of people find they wanted somewhere to go where they do not have to explain themselves. That is not a small thing.