Veterans Organizations
American Legion
The American Legion is reportedly, the world’s largest veterans organization. The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. A community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. www.legion.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is the oldest veterans organization in America. Celebrating its centennial in 1999, it entered the 21st century with 1.9 million members. The VFW's 9,500 Posts count members from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and all the expeditionary campaigns through Bosnia. The four cornerstones of VFW's foundation include preserving veterans rights, advocating a strong national defense, promoting patriotism and offering community service. www.vfw.org
Disabled American Veterans
Formed in 1920 and chartered by Congress in 1932, the million-member Disabled American Veterans is the official voice of America's service-connected disabled veterans -- a strong, insistent voice that represents all of America's 2.1 million disabled veterans, their families, and survivors. Its nationwide network of services -- free of charge to all veterans and members of their families -- is totally supported by membership dues and contributions from the American public. Not a government agency, the DAV's national organization receives no government funds. www.dav.org
Pennsylvania's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
The Mission of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is to serve America’s veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and be their principal advocate in ensuring that they receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lasting memorials promoting the health, welfare, and dignity of all veterans in recognition of their service to this Nation. www.dmva.state.pa.us
