vfw annual report

VFW 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

As VFW’s first commander-in-chief to have served in the 1991 Persian Gulf War, I represent a new era for the nation’s oldest major veterans organization.

It’s my wish for VFW to offer more family friendly Posts and to offer our younger members more meaningful VFW-related activities and projects. We have to be more willing to say ‘Yes,’ than ‘No.’

Specifically, I want our VFW Posts to refocus on serving veterans. To that end, we have committed to work with five groups to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

The five groups are:

• One Mind, which seeks improved treatment for brain illnesses, such as autism, PTSD, TBI and Alzheimer’s disease.

• Give an Hour, which uses volunteer mental health professionals to counsel Iraq and Afghanistan vets and their families.

• PatientsLikeMe, which is a free website for people to communicate with others suffering from the same ailments.

• Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which provides a national network for veteran caregivers, advocacy and support.

• Student Veterans of America, which raises awareness of mental health issues and wellness on college campuses.

On Oct. 8, 2016, VFW sponsored “A Day to Change Direction,” which involved more than 200 Posts nationwide.

Our goal was to make the public aware of the five signs of emotional suffering — personality change, agitation, withdrawal, poor self-care and hopelessness — in conjunction with the overarching initiative launched by Give an Hour.

We want to get the message out to people suffering from mental health issues that there is no need to be ashamed or embarrassed. There are therapies available to make them well again. We want people to understand that, and I can honestly say that VFW is the one veterans service organization leading the way in this effort.

Our nearly 1.7 million VFW and Auxiliary members are making a big difference in the lives of veterans and their families. We know our efforts will only continue to grow.

Leading VFW into a New EraA MESSAGE FROM VFW COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BRIAN DUFFY

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEFBrian Duffy

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS ANNUAL REPORT 2016 1

Inside 2 WE ARE THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

4 NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE

6 VFW WELLNESS & VOLUNTEERING

7 NEW LEADERSHIP VITAL TO VFW

8 A LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR VETERANS

10 UNMET NEEDS

12 MILITARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

13 HELP A HERO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

14 BENEFITING VETERANS

16 VFW DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS

17 A DAY TO CHANGE DIRECTION

18 EDUCATING AMERICA'S YOUTH

20 A COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYMENT

21 REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN

22 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

24 CONTACT US

2 WWW.VFW.ORG

We are the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United StatesVFW takes pride in its commitment to veterans and today’s military. Our programs ensure no one is forgotten. You’ve most likely heard of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The initials “VFW” are emblazoned on many of our 6,500 Posts worldwide. We are the nation’s oldest major veterans group, and we’ve been a part of the country’s social fabric for 118 years. We are an organization of nearly 1.3 million veterans who have served overseas in war zones or areas demanding arduous duty, including those in Afghanistan and Iraq. What you might not know about us is our continuing commitment to country and community. Our mission extends to troops serving overseas today and their families waiting back home. Our Mission: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans. Our Vision: Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.

• Always put the interests of our members first

• Treat donors as partners in our cause

• Promote patriotism

• Honor military service

• Ensure the care of veterans and their families

• Serve our communities

• Promote a positive image of the VFW

• Respect the diversity of veteran opinions

OUR CORE VALUES:

NEARLY 1.7 MILLION: Number of VFW and Auxiliary members 6,500: Number of VFW Posts worldwide

MEMBERS cover the gamut of war service from World War II to Afghanistan


VFW members care passionately about serving their fellow citizens.

Just as we pledged during our time in uniform to serve our nation, we again vow to sustain a lifelong commitment to country.

A VENERABLE ORGANIZATIONVFW traces its origins to 1899 when 13 Spanish-American War veterans convened in Columbus, Ohio. By 1914, this group had merged with two other Spanish-American/Philippines War veterans organizations to become known collectively as the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

VFW’s supreme governing body is its National Convention. Each July, thousands of VFW members vote as registered delegates, determining policy by adopting resolutions and making important business decisions.

VFW’s National Headquarters is located in Kansas City, Mo., where the organization’s administration and programs-related efforts are coordinated. Issue-oriented activities are developed and implemented in VFW’s Washington Office in the nation’s capital.

VFW-AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONSJoining VFW to accomplish its mission are the VFW Auxiliary, the VFW Foundation, the VFW National Home and the Military Order of the Cootie, which is composed of VFW members dedicated to assisting hospitalized veterans.

NON-PROFIT STATUSVFW is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and contributions are deductible under section 170(c).

VFW: A FIXTURE IN MANY COMMUNITIESRunners react to the starting gun at the 5th annual University of Kansas Veterans Day Run in November 2016 at Lawrence, Kan. VFW Posts, members and employees have been involved with the race since its inception. Proceeds from the 2016 race supported the University’s Student Veterans Association chapter, scholarships for the children of wounded troops and a new student veterans center that opened on campus in January 2017. Photo by Alisa Kay Childress.

4 WWW.VFW.ORG

1,908 Number of VA-accredited VFW representatives

75,208 favorable claims were filed by VFW Service Officers

292 Service officers nationwide

20 Benefits Delivery at Discharge sites

National Veterans Service in 2016

Total recovered in 2016$7 BILLION

$1.2 BILLION Recovered for new clients in 2016


Headquartered in Washington, D.C., VFW's NVS assists veterans and their dependents in acquiring their entitled VA benefits. Annually, NVS budgets

hundreds of thousands of dollars for VFW state Departments to assist veterans in filing claims for benefits. This service is offered FREE to all veterans, regardless of VFW membership.

One such accredited service officer is Barry Walter, who served in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division in 1967. He reenlisted while in Vietnam and ended up spending 47 months there.

A Gold Legacy Life member of VFW Post 4005 in Corunna, Mich., Walter retired as the VFW state director of Veterans Service in Illinois in 2015. He moved back to Michigan for his retirement, but was soon asked to work part time for the Michigan VFW service office.

“I am presently serving the office two days a week doing my best to assist veterans in several of mid-Michigan’s rural counties,” Walter said.

He formerly worked in VA regional offices in both Detroit and Chicago. While there were many

disappointments and frustrations along the way, there also were “many successes.”

“A service officer never meets anyone for the first time who is happy,” Walter said. “The reason you meet them is because they have a problem and are looking for answers.”

He said that most of the claims he sees today are for service-connected compensation. He works with everyone from recently discharged veterans to veterans who have been away from the military for more than 40 years.

Walter recalled the case of a Marine named Adam, who was severely wounded in an ambush in Iraq. He had a combined VA disability evaluation of 90 percent since 2006. He was working, though it was difficult for him to do so. He had been advised that in order to get more compensation, he would need to quit his job.

With a family, Adam couldn’t quit his job. He met with Walter, who changed his life. Walter discovered that Adam’s original claim had not included residuals of the TBI he had suffered. Adam also had never claimed the PTSD that he was being treated for by the VA. There were other areas that had not been documented in the original claim.

“After several months of gathering medical evidence,

Veterans Helping Veterans

HOW SERVICE OFFICERS HELP:

• Explaining benefits and helping vets through the often-bureaucratic maze.

• Guiding and supporting vets through months or even years of claims processing.

• Taking power of attorney, helping vets prepare necessary documents and evidence, monitoring cases and keeping them informed of recent developments.

• Assisting, by phone, veterans who can’t personally get to VA regional offices.

Filing VA claims can be a daunting process. That's why VFW's National Veterans Service (NVS) is there to help.

we had what we believed was a claim that could not be disputed,” Walter said. “In August 2015, we had a decision. Adam went from 90 percent to 100 percent with multiple special monthly compensation awards reflecting the true severity of his wounds. In addition, he was awarded entitlement to automobile adaptive equipment to help him safely drive and special home-adaptation entitlement.”

For Walter, Adam’s case is just one of many success stories throughout his career as a VFW service officer.

“Being a service officer is the most rewarding job that anyone could have, in my opinion,” Walter said.

Barry Walter

6 WWW.VFW.ORG

VFW Wellness & Volunteering

VFW hosts a health fair at its annual convention each summer. Here is how members and guests used these free services at the 2016 National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.:

• 700 consultations with representatives of the Veterans Crisis Line

• 500 blood pressure screenings by Walgreens

• 370 visits to VA’s Office of Connected Care-Telehealth

• 300 visits to Give an Hour

• 220 screenings by the American Academy of Dermatology

• 58 vision screenings by the American Optometric Association

• 25 units of blood donated

VFW members have long been known for their volunteer spirit. So when the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) was established in 1946, VFW and its Auxiliary were two of the five charter members. VAVS volunteers do everything from delivering books to patients to filing paperwork

in VA medical facilities. In 2015, some 6,124 regularly scheduled VFW volunteers put in 701,876 hours of service.

VFW also is a strong proponent of preventative medical care. It conducts free health fairs at its national conventions and other conferences around the country. Eye exams, cholesterol checks, glucose screenings and dermatology exams are just some of the services offered.

VFW HEALTH SCREENINGS 6,124 Number of regularly scheduled VFW volunteers 701,876 Hours of service

Theresa Holderness (center) and her husband, Edward, discuss services available to veterans with a vendor at VFW’s annual health fair, offered at the 2016 National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Edward Holderness, a member at Post 4259 in Madeira Beach, Fla., said VFW does a good job providing access to information and free services such as eye exams, kidney screenings and skin cancer checks.


New Leadershipis Vital to VFW

The newest generation of veterans emerging from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are moving up in the ranks of the VFW. Seasoned leaders within the organization welcome these men and women with the realization that they are the future.

Kristina Keenan is one such example. She experienced VFW’s welcom-ing spirit in 2013 when she was invited to Post 605’s spring banquet at the historic Luxembourg Palace in Paris. Working at the American University of Paris, Keenan said she had long wanted to meet other U.S. vets living in Paris and jumped at the opportunity.

“At that time, I only knew of one or two personally in France,” Keenan said. “And boy did I meet a lot of veterans that night. The Post com-mander at the time was a WWII D-Day veteran, who had landed on the Normandy beaches. The stories he told were incredible, and I was hooked.”

Keenan became a member that night and dove right in, first becoming the scholarship chairperson (2013-14) followed by two years as senior vice commander (2014-16). In April 2016, she was elected Post com-mander.

Keenan earned her VFW eligibility while serving six years in the Minnesota Army National Guard. She deployed twice to Bosnia (2003 and 2004) with the 634th Military Intelligence Battalion.

After her military service, Keenan moved to Paris to finish college. She subse-quently earned her master’s degree and has been there ever since.

Of the 200 members at the Paris Post, five are women. Keenan said the mix of

generations at Post 605 makes for a “fun and interesting group of people.”

Keenan said that women might be more inclined to join the VFW if they could see more women leaders in the organization, including on the National Council of Administration and even as commander-in-chief.

“Seeing that there would be a chance to move up the ranks and have a deci-sion-making position within the organization could motivate more women to join,” Keenan added. “I am proud to be serving my community through the VFW. It gives me a sense of fulfillment, which I think everyone is looking for these days.”

Post 605 Commander Kristina Keenan at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in northern France in 2016. The Paris Post members are tasked with attending commemorative ceremonies throughout France to honor the Americans who fought and died there. One of five women at her Post, Keenan says once more women are represented on the National Council of Administration and the first female is elected as commander-in-chief, then the organization might see an increase in the number of women members. Photo by Pierre-Mary Bachelete.

I am proud to be serving my community through the VFW. It gives me a sense of fulfillment, which I think everyone is looking for these days.

KRISTINA KEENAN

8 WWW.VFW.ORG

A Legislative Platform for VeteransWith the strength of nearly 1.7 million members and its Auxiliaries, VFW endeavors daily to advocate on behalf of the nation’s 22 million veterans. As the nation’s oldest combat veterans organization, we recognize the promise our nation made to those who serve and ensure that promise is kept.

The location of our Washington, D.C., office allows us to monitor all legislation affecting veterans, alert VFW membership to key legislation under consideration and to actively lobby Congress and the administration on veterans' issues.

By regularly testifying at congressional committee hearings and interacting with congressional members, the VFW has played an instrumental role in nearly every piece of veterans' legislation passed since the beginning of the 20th Century.

At the grassroots level, the VFW Action Corps is our national advocacy network comprised of more than 300,000 VFW members and patriotic supporters of veterans. This group stays up-to-date on the issues facing our veterans, our military and their families, standing ready to email, write, call and visit our nation’s lawmakers to make their voices heard.

In 2016, the VFW secured the passage of legislation to provide fertility treatment options for veterans who lost their ability to conceive due to their military service. The VFW was also instrumental in passing legislation to research the impact of toxic exposure on the health of children of exposed veterans, to provide veterans the ability to continue receiving education benefits if their schools suddenly close, and legislation to ensure veterans with punitive discharges for minor infractions that were caused by undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions have a fair shot at having their bad paper discharges upgraded.

STUDENT VETERANSRebekah Lloyd (center) listens with other student-veteran fellows and VFW members, as VFW’s Commander-in-Chief gives his testimony to Congress, addressing legislative issues that impact veterans. The fellowship is a joint program offered annually by VFW and Student Veterans of America.

As part of its commitment to education and legislative activism, VFW collaborates with Student Veterans of America (SVA) to provide 10 student veterans a fellowship opportunity each year. Fellows spend one week in Washington, D.C., working with legislators and discussing veterans concerns.

Rebekah Lloyd was one of the 10 fellows selected for the 2016 program. She served with the 1st Signal Brigade in South Korea from 2007-08, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 with the 10th Mountain Division.

As part of the fellowship application process, Lloyd wrote an essay about her challenges with military health care reform—her “official complaint letter,” she said.

“Standing up for veterans allowed me to channel all of the grievances I had experienced into a worthy cause and my personal experience enabled me to relate the emotional side of our struggle in a very raw way,” Lloyd said.

"Standing up for veterans allowed me to channel all of the grievances I had experienced into a worthy cause ..."

REBEKAH LLOYD


In addition to helping inform and affect change, Lloyd said the fellowship helped her build strong connections to other student veterans. She keeps in touch with her fellowship peers and said she wished the experience could have been longer. Beyond the camaraderie that grew out of the fellowship, Lloyd said she discovered place and purpose.

“While I was in D.C., I felt like I had finally found my home,” said the member of Post 4809 in Norfolk, Va. “We move around so much in the military that the concept of ‘home’ is rather foreign to us. However, walking the streets of D.C. and meeting different individuals to talk about what was truly going on with veterans back home ignited a fire in me that has continued to burn.”

Lloyd has already encouraged other veterans to apply for the VFW-SVA fellowship.

“Introducing younger veterans to the VFW and all that it does on the national level fosters sustainability with the next generation of warriors and encourages renewed energy in the grassroots advocacy of the VFW,” she said.

Lloyd completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., in December 2016. She plans to obtain her MBA and juris doctorate degrees, preparing her for a future career in policy reform related to veterans. She also hopes to run a non-profit that benefits female veterans.

VFW LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCEThe United States Capitol, as seen across the Capitol Reflecting Pool, is located at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In March 2016, VFW members were in the nation’s capital for VFW’s annual Legislative Conference and promoted VFW’s Priority Goals during meetings with members of Congress. The VFW Washington office is located a block away.

10 WWW.VFW.ORG

"I almost lost hope, but

after I contacted VFW

they assured me that they

would assist, and they

held their promise."

TYISHA JONES

UNMET NEEDSTyisha Jones, shown here with her son, received an Unmet Needs grant after the college in which she was enrolled went bankrupt, and her benefits were cut off. The Army vet and mother of two said the VFW gave her “peace of mind,” allowing her to get caught up on paying her bills.


Helping When Families Need it Most

$6.1 MILLIONThe amount of emergency grants awarded to military families since 2004 to help cover basic needs in times of crisis

4,050Number of military families who received assistance with housing through Unmet Needs since 2004.

Too often, families of deployed troops or recently discharged veterans find themselves with unexpected expenses. Perhaps the family car quit running or the furnace stopped working on a frigid day.

This is why VFW’s Unmet Needs is such a valuable program. It provides financial assistance up to $5,000 to active-duty troops or veterans for expenses such as rent, mortgage, vehicle repairs and utilities.

Tyisha Jones is one such veteran. She served in the Army as a human resource specialist from 2010 to 2015. During Operation Enduring Freedom, she was stationed in Qatar from November 2013 until October 2014.

After she was discharged from the Army, Jones moved back to Memphis, Tenn., where she enrolled in ITT-Technical Institute. Unfortunately, that institution unexpectedly filed for bankruptcy, leaving thousands of students feeling helpless.

“It left me and other students in a financial crisis,” said Jones, the mother of two children.

Jones searched online for programs offering help to military veterans. That’s when she happened upon the Unmet Needs program.

“VFW gave me peace of mind,” she said.

“It helped me pay my late bills and bring them current. I almost lost hope, but after I contacted VFW they assured me that they would assist, and they held their promise.”

Jones, who is now enrolled at Strayer University in Memphis and working for General Electric, said she would give VFW an “exceptional rating” for its work in helping her.

“I would tell other veterans, ‘If you ever find yourself in a financial crisis like I did, do not hesitate to contact VFW,’” she said. “They took care of me, and you can rest assured they will take care of you.”

12 WWW.VFW.ORG

Through a matching grant program, VFW’s Military Assis-tance Program

(MAP) coordinates pre- deployment parties and welcome-home events at bases nationwide.

Such was the case when members of the 1450th North Carolina Army National Guard Transportation Company deployed in 2015.

VFW Post 5362 in Morganton, N.C., hosted a “Salute to Our Heroes Party” the Friday night prior to the troops’ departure.

According to Kathy Johnson, of Post 5362 Auxiliary, during the deployment, of which her husband, Daniel, was part, the Post sponsored a seminar to help families cope with deployment. Members also participated in the 1450th Family Day and mailed 100 care packages.

Perhaps the greatest gesture offered by Post and Auxiliary members occurred during the holidays.

Supporting Vets and Their Families

MILITARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMembers of the 1450th North Carolina Army National Guard Transportation Company celebrate Christmas in Kuwait in 2015. VFW Post and Auxiliary 5362 in Morganton, N.C., adopted the unit while they were deployed. One of the activities sponsored by the Post was a Christmas party at which children of the deployed troops received a special delivery direct from Kuwait—gifts addressed from their parents serving overseas.

"The children had a great

time, as did my team that

worked diligently to make

sure this party was a

huge success."KATHY JOHNSON

More than 70 children had gifts delivered via Santa Claus from their parents who were deployed to Kuwait. VFW member David Smith dressed as Santa and presented each child with a gift addressed from his or her parent serving overseas.

According to Johnson, members of the 1450th customized gifts they would have given their children had they not been deployed.

Each child was given a $50 gift, a stocking full of toys and candy and a photo with Santa in front of a Humvee provided by the 1450th’s readiness group. There were a variety of games for entertaining the little ones and a meal was served.

For the families that couldn’t make it to the party, Johnson made sure the gifts were mailed to those children.

Johnson said that a VFW MAP grant helped fund the successful party.

“The children had a great time, as did my team that worked diligently to make sure this party was a huge success,” she said. “It makes me proud to be a member of this organization.”


David Conway grew up hearing sea stories from his grandfathers, both of whom were Navy sailors during WWII. Those childhood stories

solidified his desire to one day serve.

In 2010, Conway joined the Coast Guard. He said the “highlight” of his time was his deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. For 10 months, he patrolled the entrance to the bay and maintained a security perimeter.

“We were the first line of defense on the water,” he said. “And as a crewman, I stood security watches manning the 50-caliber machine gun on our small boats.”

Today, Conway is enrolled at California Maritime Academy, where he is working toward his bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation.

He also is going to earn a minor in law, as well as his third-mate license.

“The third-mate license is the most valuable part of Cal Maritime’s program,” he said. “I can use it to work on unlimited tonnage ships like tankers and container ships.”

Conway said the cost of the school exceeds his GI Bill benefits. Additionally, the program

is year round and requires going to sea each summer for training.

He heard about VFW’s Help A Hero Scholarship from a friend and previous scholarship recipient. He applied and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship this year.“Receiving this scholarship has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies without added financial stress,” he said.

After Conway graduates, he hopes to pursue a trash-solution idea he developed in the past year. He has submitted a patent application and hopes to start a company to expand on the machine he has built.He said if things don’t go as planned, he will work on ships.

“I cannot thank VFW enough for its generosity and giving me this opportunity,” he said.

Sponsored by SportClips, the Help A Hero Scholarship is now in its third year. Some $1.1 million in scholarships were awarded in 2016.

HELP A HERO PROGRAM David Conway, with his wife, Jessie, is the recipient of a $5,000 Help A Hero Scholarship. He is in his first year at the California Maritime Academy, where he plans to get his bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation.

Scholarship Helps Vets Succeed

$3 MILLIONAmount of scholarships awarded to 714 veterans and service members through VFW’s Help A Hero Scholarship since January 2014.

14 WWW.VFW.ORG

V FW recognizes the importance of helping those who have humbly served our country. That is why it has a variety of programs at its disposal to assist veterans in need. We also honor

disabled veterans with special trips. Here is a brief look at some of these special funds and projects.

KAHLE FUNDEstablished in 1999 through a generous bequest from WWII Navy veteran Ralph Charles Kahle Jr., monies are earmarked for the “service, welfare and entertainment of wounded servicemen.” Today his generosity is used to return combat-wounded veterans back to Vietnam.

RETURN TO VIETNAM Peter Quirin’s perception of Hanoi, Vietnam, was a negative one – that is, until he returned to the country he fought in nearly 50 years ago on a VFW-sponsored trip.

"I had a vision of an evil, dark and gloomy place, and that everyone in Hanoi must hate Americans," said Quirin, who spent two tours (1967-69) as a captain— one as a MACV adviser with Team 22 and the other as commanding officer of D Co., 1st Bn., 327th Inf., 101st Abn. Div.

"But it certainly is not that way," he said. "Now that I

am here, it is like what I remember in the South."

Quirin is one of 133 Vietnam veterans who have been selected over the past 11 years for the all-expenses-paid trip made possible through VFW’s Kahle Fund. The excursion affords Purple Heart recipients the opportunity to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), with stops at Hue and DaNang.

Quirin received two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars with "V" device during his back-to-back tours. One award came during his time in the A Shau Valley.

Quirin had a brush with death serving with his unit near Tuy Hoa. During the Tet Offensive, a sniper bullet went through his steel helmet, grazing the back of his head. He was patched up with some 30 stitches, and still has the helmet.

“It serves as a reminder of how fragile life can be, and how lucky I was that day,” he said.

By the end of the trip, the wounded veterans had formed a deeper bond – one born of respect for each other's mettle during their combat service.

“It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in many years,” Quirin said. “I had dreamed about returning for a long time. I am grateful to VFW for providing me that opportunity.”

Benefiting Veterans

SURPRISE ON HILL 55John Birmingham, Peter Quirin, Larry Gerhart and Ben Eyre stand in front of a Vietnamese monument to an Indochina War victory. Both Birmingham and Eyre rotated duty there during their tour.

From honoring disabled veterans to disaster relief, VFW has a variety of programs available.


Members of the 1450th North Carolina Army National Guard Transportation Company celebrate Christmas in Kuwait in 2015. VFW Post and Auxiliary 5362 in Morganton, N.C., adopted the unit while they were deployed. One of the activities sponsored by the Post was a Christmas party at which children of the deployed troops received a special delivery direct from Kuwait—gifts addressed from their parents serving overseas.



Since 1982, VFW has annually provided disabled veterans an opportunity to hunt antelope in Montana. VFW pays the airfare for all four

veterans, and picks up the tab for three of the vets’ lodging, meals and the accompanying hunting-guide services. Russ Greenwood, proprietor of Doonan Gulch Outfitters, of Broadus, Mont., chips in for the other veteran.

The trip is only offered to Purple Heart veterans. Finalists are chosen by lottery.

One of the participants in 2016 was Phillip Woodward, a VFW life member of Post 286 in Wabash, Ind.

“The opportunity to hunt antelope in Montana is something I’ll never forget for as long as I live,” Woodward said.

As an 18-year-old Marine serving in Vietnam in 1966, Woodward lost his right eye and right ring finger in a booby trap explosion that killed another Marine. Woodward also suffered severe wounds to his head, right arm and right knee, which required about 150 stitches.

“They’re still pulling shrapnel out of me 50 years later,” he said.

In Montana, Woodward and the other vets received top-notch hunting-guide expertise from Greenwood and his twin brother, Roger—a helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam. One of the most popular Greenwoods, though, was Russ’ wife, Carol.

“She has to be one of the best cooks I’ve ever met,” Woodward said. “Carol fed us like kings. It was unbelievable. Three fantastic meals a day. She has great recipes.”

Woodward added that a highlight was meeting the other veterans on the trip and sharing stories that only those wounded in combat can trade.

“We all hit it off great,” he said. “We all exchanged phone numbers and addresses. I feel that I’ve got some new lifelong friends.”

While the trip cannot repay these men for what they sacrificed for the nation—their youth, their able bodies and, in some cases, their opportunity for gainful employment—it does recognize what they did in a faraway country a half century ago. It is a small token of appreciation from VFW for what they gave.

Hunting in Montana

RECOGNIZING SERVICE AND SACRIFICEPhillip Woodward, of VFW Post 286 in Wabash, Ind., shows off a trophy pronghorn antelope he brought down in October 2016 during VFW magazine’s annual antelope hunt for disabled veterans near Broadus, Mont. Woodward, who was wounded in 1966 during the Vietnam War as an 18-year-old Marine with 3rd Pltn., Mike Co., 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, 1st Marine Div., said the accommodations, hospitality and food provided by hunt host Russ Greenwood and his wife, Carol, were top notch and highlights of the trip.

16 WWW.VFW.ORG

VFW Disaster Relief EffortsVFW’s reputation for assisting those in need after natural

disasters has a long history – one that evolves from grassroots initiatives at the Post level.

VFW has long had a reputation for assisting those who need it during natural disasters. The VFW has provided more than $2 million for disaster relief efforts. From tornadoes in Oklahoma

and hurricanes in the Northeast to flooding in North Dakota and wildfires in Washington, VFW is first in line to help victims. Wildfires and flooding ravaged communities from one coast to the other during 2016, and VFW Posts jumped into action

to assist their fellow veterans and others in their communities.

California wildfires destroyed small communities and left thousands displaced or homeless. In July, VFW stepped in during a stage-5 fire to help veterans in need.

One of the hardest-hit areas was South Lake, Calif., only 10 miles from VFW Post 7665 in Lake Isabella in

the southern Sierra Nevadas. Deborah Johnson, VFW District 6 commander in California, heard about the fire in her District and took action.

“I needed to know that my Post was OK,” said Johnson, a 1991 Persian Gulf War veteran. She confirmed that Post 7665 wasn’t in imminent danger and said members there wanted it to be a command post.

Post Quartermaster Paul Petersen and his wife worked from “sun up to sun down” helping everyone in need. Petersen, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, said they talked to more than 30 veterans who experienced significant losses. Post members offered nearly 500 volunteer hours and Auxiliary members gave around 400 hours.

Working with Johnson and her non-profit, California Veterans Assistance Foundation, the Department set up three different financial accounts so it could help veterans immediately.

Since the fire was officially called under control, VFW helped rehouse almost all of the affected veterans who came forward for assistance, including Dale Evans, Post 7665 service officer and Vietnam veteran. He and 13 of his family members lost their homes in the blaze.


PETER QUIRIN

The VFW Mental Health Wellness campaign’s first major event was its “A Day to Change Direction” initiative, which involved more than

200 Posts nationwide.

VFW’s goal on Oct. 8 was to make the public “aware of the five signs” of emotional suffering – Personality change, agitation, withdrawal, poor self-care and hopelessness – in conjunction with the overarching initiative, launched by Give an Hour.

Post 3769 Quartermaster Robert Howard said 20 people attended his Post’s session at Coal Run City Park in Pikeville, Ky. West Virginia’s Huntington VA suicide prevention coordinator Deanna Stump provided suicide-prevention training and Cheryl Walker Combs, of Big Sandy Health, offered mental health awareness training. The Kentucky state commander also spoke at the event.

Henry Jew, commander of Post 1179 in Shelbyville, Ky., who served from 1967-73 in Vietnam as a boiler technician on the USS Leahy, said about 15 people attended a joint event between Posts 1170, 1179 and 4075. VA’s Stacey Hagman spoke about mental health awareness and suicide prevention in a “back and forth” dialogue with attendees.

“I thought that [receptiveness to the five signs] went excessively well because the majority of the people there were in the discussion, asking questions, making comments, telling their stories,” Jew said.

Post 3238 in Dover, Del., started its own program, Mental Health Initiatives, more than one year ago, and the national event provided “a unique opportunity” for Post trustee Marc Garduno.

Garduno said a dozen Post and family members attended their event, which included roadside cleanup and a presentation by Capt. Michael Vernale, of the mental health clinic on Dover Air Force Base.

Vernale covered the “five signs,” along with discussing cultural norms in the United States and how that affects views on mental health. Garduno said Vernale’s ability to deliver a message “in such easy terms” made it relatable.

“I challenge VFW to continue this because it’s a critically important piece of outreach not only to our military, retirees and veterans but also to the community [that] can benefit from this tremendously,” Garduno said.

A Day to Change Direction

‘Know the Five Signs’• Personality Change: Sudden

or gradual changes in the way someone typically behaves.

• Agitation: When someone seems uncharacteristically angry, anxious, agitated or moody.

• Withdrawal: Withdrawn or isolated from other people; pulling away from family and friends.

• Poor self-care: Has stopped taking care of themselves and may engage in risky behavior.

• Hopelessness: Seems overcome with hopelessness and overwhelmed by their circumstances.

Nickie Silverstein (left), the Give an Hour liaison to the Campaign to Change Direction, attends Post 56’s event in Leavenworth, Kan., to speak about mental health awareness. Her husband, JP Silverstein, who is retired from the Army, and their daughter, Addi, also attended the event.

18 WWW.VFW.ORG

Educating America's Youth

As the son of a Marine, Connor Cottingham understands service and sacrifice. It’s what drew him to VFW’s Voice of Democracy scholarship program. Participants from across the nation deliver speeches pertaining to a selected topic—usually a patriotic one. The top 54 students nationwide compete for over $150,000 in scholarships, with the top scholarship being $30,000.

“Growing up around people who are believers in the Constitution gave me a great foundation to write my speech,” Cottingham said. “I was inspired by people around me, like my dad, who spent most of his life in the military, and his brothers who were also in the military.”

Cottingham’s speech won in Oregon, where he had recently moved after growing up in California.

“I was so honored to be representing one of the smallest VFW Posts in Oregon as a state winner,” the high-school junior said. “I was proud of myself, and it gave me the confidence to speak my opinion. This competition helped me convert my knowledge and beliefs into persuasive public speaking.”

Cottingham joined the national winners in Washington, D.C., in March for a weeklong tour of the nation’s capital. He said it was the best week of his life.

“I think sending state winners to D.C. is very beneficial to them as students because Washington, D.C., is a historical place,” Cottingham said. “It taught me a lot about our nation and where we come from.”

Providing scholarships to the nation’s youth is among the organization’s top priorities.

While Cottingham did not win the $30,000 scholarship, he was awarded a state-level scholarship, as well as an additional $1,000 scholarship.

“Winning this scholarship meant the world to me,” he said. “I was just so ecstatic that I was a national winner. This scholarship will follow me for the rest of my life.”

Now, Cottingham is finishing his high-school course work while taking online college classes. He also works two volunteer jobs—one with the local fire department and another with a nearby ranch in Oregon. He hopes to study aeronautical engineering at the United States Naval Academy.

“Growing up with my dad in the service, and him being my hero and role model really inspired me to follow in his footsteps,” Cottingham said. “I also want to protect and serve my country just like the millions that have come before me.”

36,435: Number of Voice of Democracy student participants in 2015-16


Patriot’s Pen, an essay competition open to students in grades 6-8, encourages young minds to examine America’s history and modern society. In 2015-16, VFW presented over $50,000 in national awards to students. Furthermore, an additional $1.1 million in cash prizes and gifts were awarded to 127,707 students by local chapters. Shane Stafford, a 6th-grade student from Nevada, won the top prize of $5,000 for his essay on “What Freedom Means to Me."

Patriot's PenTeacher Recognition

2016 TEACHER AWARD RECIPIENTS

VFW sponsors the annual Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Teacher Award, providing one winner from three school levels (elementary, middle and high school) with an all-expenses-paid trip to VFW’s national convention. In 2016, 1,386 teachers were nominated. Some 51 awards have been presented since the program began in 1999.

Ellery, who has taught U.S. history for 21 years, guides students on trips to Europe to visit American cemeteries. Each participating student researches a veteran buried there, then students place U.S. flags on each of the researched graves. Ellery also organizes an annual Veterans Day Convocation.

Jessica Marie Mosley | Grade level K-5 | Park Intermediate School, Weiser, IdahoIn addition to teaching 4th grade, Mosley, a Navy veteran who deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2001 and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2013, promotes, plans and conducts the school’s annual Veterans Day assembly. A member of VFW Post 2738 in Payette, Idaho, she regularly invites veterans and troops into her classroom.

Donna Kregelka | Grade level 6-8 | Chippewa Middle School, Okemos, Mich.Kregelka hosts a U.S. Constitution party each year, and all of her students learn the Bill of Rights. She also organizes “Valentines for Veterans,” a schoolwide event where students make valentines for veterans at the Ann Arbor VA hospital. She plans the school’s Veterans Day assembly among other patriotic activities.

William Ellery | Grade level 9-12 | Carmel High School, Carmel, Ind.

IN 2016: 1,386 teachers participated and $263,700 in awards was distributed at the Post, District and Department levels

127,707: Number of Patriot’s Pen student participants in 2015-16

$3.3 MILLION: Amount of scholarships and other incentives awarded students in 2015-16

51 teachers have been honored since 1999

20 WWW.VFW.ORG

The VFW and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) teamed up in October to provide career-seeking service members, veterans and

their spouses the opportunity to connect with job openings being offered by some of the top names in the hospitality industry. More than 500 individuals registered for the event.

The VFW Virtual Career Fair featured opportunities with BJ’s Restaurants, Ecolab, Hyatt, Sodexo and Sysco, all companies with a history of commitment to hiring America’s service members and veterans.

“We’re pleased to have joined together with the NRAEF on this large-scale hiring initiative,” said VFW Commander-in-Chief Brian Duffy, a U.S. Air Force veteran and retired UPS assistant chief pilot. “In today’s competitive job market, the VFW is dedicated to providing every possible opportunity for our service members, veterans and their spouses to succeed in their careers. VFW virtual career fairs help bridge the gap between America’s top-tier military and veteran candidates and the industry leaders dedicated to hiring them.”

The Oct. 5 hospitality-focused event sought candidates to fill openings across the industry, including front-of-house and back-of-house restaurant positions, administration, culinary, facilities management, environmental services, housekeeping, construction and clinical health management.

A Commitment to Employment


World War II Memorial

Three Serviceman Statue

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Vietnam Women's Memorial

Women in the Military Service for America Memorial

Remembering our FallenPreserving the memory of America's war dead is a never-ending VFW duty

Preserving the memory of America’s war dead is a never-ending VFW duty. That’s why the organization promotes remembrance by supporting initiatives that pay tribute to Americans killed in war.

Over the past 30 years, VFW members have contributed more than $7.2 million to eight major memorial efforts in Washington, D.C. These include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Three Servicemen statue, The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Women in Military Service for America Memorial and the National World War II Memorial.

22 WWW.VFW.ORG

Financial Statements

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETSYEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016

SUPPORT, REVENUE AND REALIZED GAINS Contributions and gifts 64,365,432$ Membership dues 9,949,286 Supply, Buddy Poppy and other sales 6,793,483 Advertising revenue 4,463,583 National insurance program 2,151,610 Other revenue 3,344,722 Interest, dividends and net realized gains 5,434,768

TOTAL SUPPORT, REVENUE AND REALIZED GAINS 96,502,884

EXPENSES Program Services: Veterans program activities Veterans service activities 18,027,046 Membership services 13,465,879 Department and local post activities 12,246,442 National legislative service activities 2,798,940 Educational and informative activities 711,215

Total veterans program activities 47,249,522 Community service and patriotic activities 12,788,917

Total program services 60,038,439

Supporting Services: Fundraising activities 23,547,006 Management and general 3,366,501 Membership maintenance 1,453,578

Total support services 28,367,085

TOTAL EXPENSES 88,405,524

Change in net assets before unrealized net Investment gains and other changes 8,097,360 Unrealized net investment gains 2,677,206 Pension-related changes other than Net periodic pension cost (3,651,634)

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS 7,122,932 NET ASSETS, Beginning of period 72,245,777

NET ASSETS, End of Period 79,368,709$

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITIONAUGUST 31, 2016

ASSETSCash and cash equivalents 11,731,154$ Investments 178,486,958 Investments made with cash collateral received from securities on loan 63,656,595 Receivables 3,608,014 Inventory 1,740,939 Property and equipment, net 7,854,890 Prepaid and deferred expenses 3,134,152

TOTAL ASSETS 270,212,702$

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETSAccounts payable and accrued liabilities 8,030,776$ Payable for collateral received for securities on loan 63,656,595 Pension and postretirement liability 13,598,327 Life member dues for future distribution - state and posts 71,087,993 Deferred revenue 34,470,302

TOTAL LIABILITIES 190,843,993 NET ASSETS

Unrestricted 72,423,470 Temporarily Restricted 6,945,239

TOTAL NET ASSETS 79,368,709

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 270,212,702$


Financial Statements

VFW FoundationSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITIONAUGUST 31, 2016

ASSETSCash and cash equivalents 649,557$ Investments 10,647,845 Receivables 17,283 Prepaid expenses 28,556

TOTAL ASSETS 11,343,241$

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETSAccounts payable and accrued liabilities 674,082$

TOTAL LIABILITIES 674,082

NET ASSETS 10,669,159

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 11,343,241$

VFW FoundationSTATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETSYEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016

TotalSUPPORT, REVENUE AND REALIZED GAINS Cash contributions and gifts 2,462,245$ Interest, dividends and net realized gains 485,058

TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE 2,947,303

EXPENSES Program Services: Veterans' service activities 2,417,204 Community service and public awareness 194,877 Supporting Services: Fundraising activities 216,019 Management and general 355,680

TOTAL EXPENSES 3,183,780

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS BEFORE UNREALIZED NET INVESTMENT GAINS (236,477) UNREALIZED NET INVESTMENT GAINS 196,052

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS (40,425)

NET ASSETS, Beginning of period 10,709,584

NET ASSETS, End of Period 10,669,159$

24 WWW.VFW.ORG

Contact UsNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS406 West 34th StreetKansas City, MO 64111Tel. (816) 756-3390Email: [email protected]

ADJUTANT GENERALRobert E. WallaceTel. (202) 608-8361Fax 202-543-6719Email: [email protected]

QUARTERMASTER GENERALDebra AndersonTel. (816) 968-1131Fax 816-968-1189Email: [email protected]

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTKelly Jones, ManagerTel. (816) 968-1143Fax 816-968-1129Email: [email protected]

VFW FOUNDATIONRichard M. Potter, AdministratorTel. 816-968-1158Fax 816-968-2789Email: [email protected]

WASHINGTON OFFICE 200 Maryland Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002 Tel. (202) 543-2239 Email: [email protected]

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORRobert E. WallaceTel. (202) 608-8361Fax 202-543-6719Email: [email protected]

VFW’s National Headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., contains its administrative hub. Some 137 employees work there, including those of the Veterans & Military Support, Programs Department and VFW Foundation. It also leases space to area businesses.

VFW’s office in the nation’s capital oversees 62 employees at more than a dozen locations within the District of Columbia and major military installations around the country. National Veterans Service and National Legislative Service are located there.

“A man who is good

enough to shed his blood

for his country is good

enough to be given a

square deal afterwards.

More than that no man is

entitled to, and less than

that no man shall have.”

Theodore Roosevelt, first President to join VFW, in 1917

Our house is built upon the rock of

eternity, not upon the sands of time.

James Romanis,A VFW Founding Father

vfw annual report

Documents