Welcome to the VFW Department of New Jersey's Facebook page. We are here to serve our fellow veterans and their families.
By honoring the dead by helping the living, the NJ Dept. of VFW serves, represents and supports veterans, troops and military families. No one does more for veterans!
Honor the dead by helping the living by providing legislative advocacy, communications, operational support, leadership development, veterans assistance, membership recruitment and program offerings that help posts operate first and foremost as service organizations.
Our membership consists of combat veterans from all war eras including Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and dating back to World War II—all who proudly wore the uniform of a full-time military branch, the National Guard or the Reserves in a foreign war zone. Veterans of UN peacekeeping service or other areas which earned them hostile fire or imminent danger pay are also eligible to join.
VFW members share a common bond—much like the camaraderie they drew strength and support from in the military. Eligible members have already made the tough sacrifices of serving in a danger zone on foreign soil, so we encourage you to join your brothers and sisters of all ages in the VFW to experience how membership and active participation can enhance your life and lives of your neighbors.
In New Jersey, VFW posts contribute millions of dollars and thousands of hours of community service each year. Of course, the VFW is always quick to respond to needs of veterans, their families and military families. But the generosity of the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary extends well beyond its own family to the troops and military families.
VFW contributions improve entire communities through beautification projects; donations allowing local ambulance, fire and police units to purchase new equipment; the purchase and installation of town memorials; disaster relief drives; participation in holiday events that honor veterans and active troops; sponsorship of awards programs that pay tribute to those who protect citizens; many more programs.
Many charities receive strong support from the VFW including the American Diabetes Association, Arthritis Foundation, homeless veterans shelters, organizations that help special needs children and other organizations.
Many posts visit schools and scout meetings to educate others about the American flag and to participate in "living history" programs. Through its "Voice of Democracy" and "Patriot’s Pen" program, the VFW gives students a chance to write about their patriotism and to receive scholarships or U.S. Savings Bonds.
Troop Support:
The VFW provides numerous services to military servicemembers and their families: the Military Assistance Program (MAP) that funds Farewell and Welcome Home gatherings for military units worldwide; Operation Uplink which allows troops to call home for free; and the Unmet Needs program that provides a one-time grant up to $2,500 for qualifying service members and their families experiencing financial hardship. Many VFW posts adopt military units through National HQ to create relationships with local soldiers before, during and after deployments.
Youth Support:
Our posts donate money to help youth enjoy themselves through scouting programs, youth sports, charities and other projects. VFW essay contests also allow students to compete for cash prizes and scholarship money.
Community Support:
Every year, NJ VFW posts give $3 million a year in financial contributions and several hundred thousand hours of volunteerism to make our communities safer, more beautiful and more healthy. We also make sizable donations to charities and local drives for food, clothing and school supplies. There's no doubt that communities across the state benefit by having a local VFW post as part of the neighborhood.
Visit www.njvfw.org for more programs and services.
