114 Years Young
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
ORIGINATED:
1899 - Oldest major U. S. veterans organization
1936 - Congressional Charter
POSTS:
9,100 worldwide
MEMBERSHIP:
1.8 million
ELIGIBLITY:
Any citizen of the U. S. who has served honorably in the U. S. armed forces in any foreign war or expedition recornized by a champaign medal authorized by the U. S. goverment, or honorable service in Korea after June 30, 1940
HEADQUARTERS
VFW National Headquarters
406 W. 34th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
(816) 756-3390
E-mail: info@vfw.org
PROGRAMS:
Veterans Service
National Security & Foreign Affairs
Legislative Service
Employment Service
VFW Action Corps
Yourh Development, Scholarship & Regognition
Military Assistance Program
Buddy Poppy
Citizenship Education & Community Service
ELECTED LEADERSHIP:
WILLIAM A. THIEN
Commander-in-Chief
LARRY VELASQUEZ
Sr. Vice Commander
TOP NATIONAL OFFICERS:
Allen 'Gunner' Kent
Adjunt General
Lawrence M. Maher
Quartermaster General
Cross of Malta
| The Veterans of foreign Wars of the United States adopted for its symbol the Cross of Malta, which has
a heritage of honor, duty, sacrificed and courage that dates back to the 11th century. The Cross has its origin in the Knights of St. John, a strict order of crusaders originally founded to maintain a hospital for pilgrims journeying to the Holy Land. From this order evolved two divisions, the Knights Templar, farmed for thsir ability to fight, and Knights Hospitaler, humanitarians who provided for the sick and distressed. The Knights extablished branches throughout Europe and moved their headquarters to Cyprus,. From Cyprus the headquarters was eventually moved to Rhodes in the 14th century and was transferred from there to the island of Malta in the 16th century. There they became known as the Knights of Malta. The insignia of the Knights of Malta is basically the same as the one used today by the Veteans of Foreign Wars. It is an 8-pointed cross formed by four arrowheads meeting at the points. Each represents one of the Beatitudes taken from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The arrowheads indicated the knights were willing to fight for the principles of justice and trouth although their order was basically a peaceful one.
The fundamental objectives of the organization are set forth in a charter granted it by the Congress of the United States in 1936. |
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Copyright © Sherman VFW Post 2772 Last Date Revised Nov. 19, 2013 |
