The VFW and Auxiliary's motto is "to honor the dead, by helping the living." To achieve this, we assist worthy comrades and their families in many ways, including the following:

• We visit veterans at home, run errands, and assist financially when the need arises. We support them in times of bereavement, illness, and just hard times.



• Our Military Assistance Program (MAP) provides services to our active duty military personnel, from providing Operation Uplink calling cards so that troops can call their loved ones at home, to providing assistance to the families they leave behind through the Unmet Needs program.



• We spread information about Veterans entitlements, such as the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) new 24 X 7 toll free telephone line for health care advice and information for veterans. Ask the VA a question by calling 1-866-274-1609, or view or download a VA handbook of entitlements from the VA's Web site.



• We put veterans in touch with people who can help them obtain their Veterans entitlements. The VFW has more than 15,000 trained service officers to assist any veteran or their dependent in gaining federal or state entitlements. From the community level to the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington, VFW Service Officers help with discharge upgrades, records correction, education benefits, and other veteran needs. Field representatives regularly inspect VA health care facilities, regional offices and national cemeteries.
(see a list)


• We participate in Stand Downs sponsored by the VA system, and other organizations, to assist the homeless veterans get medical treatment and help them get back on their feet.