The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension, and they were left to care for themselves.

 

In their misery, some veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters had been formed in Ohio, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000. 

Since then, the VFW's voice has been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system, and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory by passing a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service members and members of the Guard and Reserves fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The VFW has also fought to improve VA medical center services for women veterans.

In addition to helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II, and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.

Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. 

The VFW is there, from providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year to encouraging the elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet.