[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS DEPARTMENT 
                              OF VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2023

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
centennial of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia 
(Virginia VFW). For the last 100 years and counting, the Virginia VFW 
has provided critical services and support to Virginia's veterans.
  The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Headquarters formally chartered 
the Virginia VFW in February 1923. The Virginia VFW's members then 
formally organized in March 1923 in Norfolk, Virginia. Its founding 
members included veterans from the Spanish-American War and World War 
I. Membership in the Virginia VFW has grown substantially since its 
founding in 1923: it originally had 13 Posts and 663 members; now, it 
has 128 Posts and over 40,000 members. The Virginia VFW's membership 
includes members from all branches of the military and represents 
conflicts over the past 100 years.
  The Virginia VFW's mission is: ``To foster camaraderie among United 
States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the 
military and their families. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.''
  The Virginia VFW advocated for the establishment of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, and for the passage of the Montgomery GI Bill, the 
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, the elimination of the 
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) 
offset, and the PACT Act. These are just a few of the many pieces of 
legislation they successfully supported that have helped countless 
veterans.
  Additionally, the Virginia VFW's Service Claims Agents ensured that 
Virginia veterans received over $13 million in earned benefits that 
otherwise may have been lost. Furthermore, Virginia VFW members avidly 
support their local communities. In the last five years, the Virginia 
VFW's members volunteered for 1,233,783 hours and donated $9,155,822--
of which the combined value is $41,840,483. I have no doubt that the 
Virginia VFW will continue to fulfill its mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to rise with me in celebration and honor of 
the centennial of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia. 
May God bless the Virginia VFW and its members as they continue to 
serve veterans, veterans' families, and their communities.

                          ____________________