108 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:	Richard L. Eubank r Commander-in-Chief Richard L. DeNoyer Sr. Vice Commander-in-Chief Jr. Vice Commander
TOP NATIONAL OFFICERS:	Allen 'Gunner' Kent Adjutant General Larry Maher Quartermaster General

Cross of Malta ---- VFW Cross of Malta

     

he Veterans of foreign Wars of the United States adopted for its symbol teh 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. Outlook Similar      This outlook is similar to that of the VFW, devoted to peace but comprised of men who have fought and are willing to fight again, for those principles which embody the individual liberties and dignities of men.      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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