The Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — founded in 1914 to help veterans and their families — is an integral part of the VFW’s volunteer efforts. Originally the Ladies Auxiliary, it was renamed the VFW Auxiliary in 2015, when it started accepting male members.
The Auxiliary’s mission is to promote patriotism and help veterans in need. These are just two of the many ways that the Auxiliaries serve their Posts and America’s communities. The Auxiliary also has its own volunteer programs directed at veteran in VA, state and community hospitals.
How to Join
Those who are eligible have two ways to apply for membership to the VFW Auxiliary. You can either fill out a paper form in-person at your local post or complete an online application on the National VFW website.
Eligibility
U.S. Citizens who are close relatives of eligible veterans are eligible to join the VFW Auxiliary, including:
- Spouses
- Widows and widowers
- Parents
- Step-parents (who have performed the duties of parent),
- Grandparents
- Children
- Grandchildren
- Stepchildren (who attained that status prior to turning 16 and for whom the duties of parent were performed)
- Siblings (who attained that status prior to turning 16) of persons who were or are eligible for VFW membership
Proof of Eligibility
Eligibility for membership in both the VFW and Auxiliary is based on a veteran’s service record. When applying for membership, proof of eligibility is required to show that the veteran earned an eligible campaign/service medal or received special pay for duty subject to hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay in a qualifying conflict.
The most common form of proof is the veteran’s Discharge Record — known as a DD-214 form — which would provide proof of service and campaign ribbons. It can take several weeks to obtain the records this way, so we encourage you to first search your home or ask family members who may have a copy.
Acceptable forms of Proof of Eligibility include the following:
- Discharge Record (DD-214)
- Travel Orders
- Medical Orders
- Morning Reports
- Assignment Listings
- Photo of eligible veteran in the identifiable area
- Memorials where the veteran’s name appears
- Letters from eligible veteran that would establish foreign service
- Any other form of proof acceptable to the VFW
How to Request Copies of Proof of Eligibility
If you do not have a copy of the discharge record of the veteran, copies of their Military Record can be requested via the internet from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Because the online form is designed to ask you for all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays due to incomplete information will be minimized. Therefore, military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may request from the NPRC website at www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html.
Receipt of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay can be verified through a service member’s Leave and Earnings Statement (DFAS Form 702), issued by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The Marine Corps issues the DFAS-KC Form 7220/39. Even such simple things as orders, letters home with proof, or photos and buddy afidavits can serve as proof for those who have no other documents.
Once you obtain a copy of your eligibility papers, it is best to safeguard them as you would any other sensitive document (wills, marriage and birth certificates, insurance policies). It may be required to obtain Veterans Administration benefits, such as medical, VA loans, or burial benefits. Therefore, you should ensure that a family member or another trusted person has immediate access to the form upon the death of the veteran. Our Post can also be keep a copy for you.
Veterans of Foreign Wars: Post 10225 