National VFW Day: the VFW's history and its free VA claims help

National VFW Day marks the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on September 29, 1899, by veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection. The National Day Calendar notes that the VFW helped establish the Veterans Administration and the national cemetery system and pushed for passage of the GI Bill. The VFW says it and its Auxiliary have more than 1.4 million members.

One of the most practical things the VFW does is help with VA paperwork. Its VA-accredited service officers help veterans and eligible family members with disability compensation, pension, death benefits, education and rehabilitation programs, and VA hearings and appeals. The VFW says this help is free to anyone, and you do not need to be a member.

According to the VFW, the VA reports that veterans represented by the VFW recovered $16.2 billion in compensation and pension in fiscal year 2025. Service members within 180 days of leaving active duty can also use VFW Pre-Discharge offices on or near major military installations to file claims before they separate.

If you know a veteran who has put off a claim because the forms feel overwhelming, this is useful to pass along. Claims can be started at claims.vfw.org, and the VFW's assistance page has a state-by-state directory of service officers. For anyone's specific situation, a service officer or the VA is the right place to get answers.

Tonight, if a veteran in your life has mentioned VA paperwork, send them a short thank you along with the link to the VFW's free claims help.