The question “Why do we serve?” lies at the very core of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). It’s more than a question; it’s a reflection of purpose, a measure of heart, and the unspoken bond that connects veterans across generations, branches, and service experiences. Why we continue to serve is the heart of the VFW!
The VFW is not just in existence to act as just another organization. Instead, it is a mission-driven movement that is forged from shared sacrifice and military duty. With the “why” component so important to developing, maintaining, and growing commitment by fellow comrades, Auxiliary members, and supportive partners at all levels, how can we ground every new and returning VFW leader in the three enduring pillars, personal motivations, and organizational purpose that define what it means to serve in the VFW?
Through this inward-focused questioning, we remind ourselves why our continued commitment matters at all levels of the VFW. By better understanding the “why,” we empower ourselves to lead with enhanced clarity, compassion, and conviction.
The Legacy of Our Sacrifice
Our service began long before we donned the VFW cover. It began the moment we raised our right hand and swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States at a nearby Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). No matter the branch of service or Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) selected, each of us made sacrifices. Some of these sacrifices were quite visible, while others have long been hidden beneath our physical self.
The VFW was formed in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection who came home wounded and left without medical care or benefits. These early comrades were bound by necessity and shared hardship, and they ultimately organized to fight for what was rightfully earned. That bond and ultimate camaraderie continues to fuel our purpose today.
To serve in the VFW is to continue that legacy. It’s an extension of our military service. This service spills outward into our communities, our local VFW Posts, and our nation. We serve because the mission didn’t end with discharge papers; instead, it simply evolved. Service runs in our blood, and we continue to give back to this day!
The Heart of the VFW Mission
As reminded on the National organization’s website, the VFW’s mission is “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.”
Let’s dig into those mission fundamentals:
Camaraderie
We serve because we understand each other in a way others cannot. Because of our service, we share such a unique language – a language discovered and learned through experiences, not mere lessons in a classroom. The battlefield endured by each of us may have differed, but the bonds of service transcend branches, conflicts, and generations. At the VFW, no one serves alone.
Service to Veterans and Military
The mission calls us to serve those who have served. Collectively, we guide veterans through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system, advocate for earned benefits, and fight for policy changes at the state and national levels. We stand guard for our brothers and sisters-in-arms. As 2024-25 Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt exclaims, veterans upheld their end of the contract, and our government MUST uphold and honor their end of the agreement – Honor the Contract! Veterans should have access to free, accredited service officers to ensure that they get the benefits they rightfully earned.
Service to Community
We are more than warriors; we are neighbors, mentors, and leaders. Through numerous programs, scholarships, volunteerism, and community outreach, we uplift the places we call home. We may not currently be in uniform anymore, but service runs in our blood! Giving back to our community is what we do; we are Still Serving!
Advocacy
From Capitol Hill in D.C. to city hall, we speak with one voice on behalf of those who wore the uniform. Whether fighting against claim sharks and for disability claims reform, GI Bill protections, or defending today’s military families, our advocacy efforts are relentless.
The Moral Compass of the VFW: Our Core Values
The VFW’s mission is reinforced by its Core Values; our core values serve as the moral compass for our service. They remind us not just of what we do, but how we do it.
- 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.
These values are not slogans; they are lived principles. As leaders within the VFW, our challenge is to exemplify these core values in ALL of our actions, our decisions, and our Post culture. When we lead with integrity and heart, others follow.
Service Beyond Self: The Enduring “Why”
Ask any successful VFW Post leader why they continue to serve, and you’ll rarely hear words like “recognition” or “title.” While these leaders might receive praise for their enduring efforts, dedication and results, they don’t do it for some fancy cap or pat on the back. Instead, you’ll hear these leaders provide an answer such as:
- “Because someone did it for me.”
- “Because I lost a friend over there.”
- “Because I want to make sure no one feels forgotten.”
These answers don’t come from obligation; they come from purpose.
Service After Service
Military service conditions us to think of others before ourselves. That ethos doesn’t expire when we retire or discharge from service, for it transforms. At the VFW, we serve after we take off the uniform for the last time because we still have more to give. For our comrades still in uniform, there is also that special internal drive to give back more!
When we help a veteran secure disability compensation, comfort a grieving family, or advocating pro-veteran legislative priorities, we are living out a sacred calling. We are showing up where it matters, not because it’s easy, but because it’s important and right.
Why It Matters Today
After 125 years of historic achievement, the VFW is at a crossroads. Membership is aging. Engagement is evolving. The VFW Post experience has changed. And yet, the need for advocacy, connection, and service has never been greater.
Veterans Need Us
With veterans enduring continued delays from the VA, increased mental health struggles, growing isolation, and numerous systemic challenges, many veterans are falling through the cracks. The VFW must be a safety net and a support structure. When our Posts are strong, veterans are stronger.
Communities Need Us
Today’s veteran leaders are civic assets. Our leadership, experience, and discipline are powerful tools for transformation within the community. From disaster relief to mentoring programs, we show what servant leadership looks like.
The Next Generation is Watching
Younger veterans are looking for purpose, not politics. They want impact, not just meetings. Time is indispensable, and they don’t want to deal with unnecessary drama – they have enough of that in their young lives. By rediscovering and communicating “why” we serve, we invite them into a mission that matters, an all-important mission that needs them to carry the torch.
Common Threads of Service
While every member’s story is unique, many common themes unite us. In listening to thousands of VFW comrades share why they served in uniform and why they remain hungry to continue serving out of uniform, several shared values stand out:
- Gratitude: We serve because we are so grateful to be alive and to be living in the greatest nation ever known to mankind. We honor the fallen by serving the living.
- Purpose:After leaving the military, the loss of structure and mission is real. Some veterans simply are lost, and others struggle to transition into the civilian world that often feels so foreign. The VFW gives us a renewed sense of purpose.
- Connection: We miss the camaraderie of the barracks, the banter of the battlefield, and the understanding of fellow warriors. The VFW fills that void. Our fellow comrades speak the same language, and there is a sense of comfort in connecting.
- Duty: We believe in leaving things better than how we found them. The drive to make a positive impact in the lives of others is REAL! The VFW is a vehicle for continued service.
Everyday Expressions of Service
Service takes many forms within the VFW; each expression is critical to our mission’s success:
- Volunteering: Working the grill on steak night or organizing a food distribution drive.
- Mentoring: Helping new members, especially younger veterans, navigate life and leadership roles within the VFW.
- Advocacy: Attending legislative conferences; writing to local, state, and national representatives; or speaking on veteran issues in your community.
- Fundraising: Supporting relief funds, program scholarships, or Post renovations that keep our mission in motion.
- Fellowship: Simply being present for a fellow comrade in need, over coffee, a phone call, or a ride to the VA.
There is no act too small when it comes from a place of service.
Removing Barriers to Service
It’s important to recognize that some members may feel disconnected or unsure how to plug in. It’s up to us as leaders to create an environment that lowers those barriers. It is up to us to ensure that they and their family members feel welcome and safe at the VFW Post. Here are just a few pointers to get your Post moving in the right direction:
- Welcome new members warmly: Share not just what the VFW does, but why it matters.
- Match talents to tasks: A tech-savvy vet might redesign your Post website; a retired teacher might tutor veterans’ children. Look for ways to determine skill sets and passion and try to align accordingly.
- Eliminate cliques and gatekeeping: Foster inclusivity. Every member has value. Remember that every member of the VFW has an equal say. We are member-driven!
- Celebrate every contribution: Recognize all who serve, whether they lead committees or quietly tend the memorial garden.
When we make space for others to serve meaningfully, we strengthen the Post and grow the mission.
Reaffirming Your Personal Why
Every leader must occasionally pause and ask themselves:
- Why do I serve?
- What drives me to keep showing up?
- Who am I honoring by wearing this cover?
- What kind of Post culture am I helping create?
These inward questions aren’t about guilt, for they’re about clarity. By staying rooted in your personal why, you lead with authenticity, and authenticity matters! Your passion will inspire others to find their why… and their preferred place within the mission.
Keeping the Flame Alive
Just as a Marine knows to protect the very spark of the Corps’ history and legacy, a VFW member has a duty to preserve and pass down our traditions. The future of the VFW depends on how well we answer the “why” for the next generation.
Here are some straight-forward ways that we can do just that:
- Share Stories – Every Post meeting should include a veteran story, reminding us why we exist. Effective Storytelling is POWERFUL!
- Honor the Fallen – Regularly remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion to our great country. Don’t ever allow their memories and sacrifices be forgotten.
- Engage Youth – Through programs like Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen, we can help students understand service and sacrifice. Take the opportunity to teach the next generation.
- Document Post History – Create displays, timelines, and digital archives that show your Post’s impact over the decades. Share this wealth of information with those within the Post and in the community.
The flame of service must not go out. We are its keepers; we are responsible to fan the flame!
Conclusion: Why We Serve—Today and Always
Why do you serve? Why does the VFW collectively serve? There are many reasons why we serve, and we cannot ever forget them.
- We serve because the mission is not complete.
- We serve because others need our strength.
- We serve because our legacy demands it.
- We serve because the VFW is not some building; it’s a heart that beats for veterans by veterans, and that heartbeat is strong and enduring.
As you conduct a self-assessment, I challenge you to write down your personal “why.” Reflect on it. Share it. Let it guide your leadership. Call upon it when you find yourself off-course and when others are counting on you.
Remember – when your why is strong, your impact is lasting.
