Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of California

Vfw service Department - the vfw service Department exists to assist Veterans and their dependents in dealing with the va claims process. Vfw service officers are trained experts, helping Veterans develop their case with ease by reviewing and applying current law, pertinent legislation, regulations, and medical histories. As skilled professionals, they assist in filing for disability compensation, rehabilitation and education programs, pension and death benefits, and employment and training programs.

Community activities/recognition - the purpose of the vfw community activity and recognition programs is two-fold. First and foremost, as an organization of wartime Veterans and their spouses, the vfw and its auxiliary understand the need to recognize and honor those individuals who have performed above and beyond their peers and offers several special projects awards. These include americanism, pow/mia, volunteer recognition, community service, awards and recognition. Vfw's oldest and perhaps most historically significant program is the vfw "buddy poppy" program. Vfw in the classroom programs regularly provide students with rare insight into the great sacrifices our service members make to maintain freedom. Teacher of the year programs recognize exceptional teachers, one each from the elementary, junior high and high school levels for their outstanding commitment to teach americanism and instill patriotism in their students. Each year, the vfw selects emergency medical technicians (services), law enforcement, and firefighter personnel to receive vfw public servant awards.

Member and legislative advocacy - vfw is one of the most respected voices in Washington, d.c., and within local governments across america. Vfw advocates for justice for our nation's Veterans, service members and military families on an array of issues and continue to be the voice for Veterans everywhere. Vfw consistently monitor Veterans' experiences with the va health care system and deliver Veterans' feedback directly to va officials in order to implement new programs and methods to ensure america's Veterans receive the top-quality care they deserve. Vfw ensures women Veterans receive benefits and services that honor their brave military service. With the steady increase of women wearing our nation's uniform, it has never been more important to ensure women Veterans have a va that is ready and able to care for them, so this has been a top priority. Vfw's action corps is the vfw's grassroots lobbying effort. Located in communities across the globe, this group works to inform and educate Veterans and service members on the initiatives and policies that affect them and take the voice of Veterans to local, state and national lawmakers. It regularly testifies before congress, meets with elected officials and rallies the national network of vfw members and patriotic supporters to ensure lawmakers put Veterans first.

Veterans and military support - vfw Department of California provides numerous services to military service members and their families and supports programs that offer disaster assistance, support student Veterans, women Veterans and provide resources to va wheelchair and golden age games.- our map program connects the vfw with the military community. Vfw posts, districts and departments receive grants from the program to promote involvement. One of the most popular ways this is done is by adopting a unit, where the post, district or Department raises funds for troops overseas and supports them with care packages, cards, etc.- our adopt-a-unit program is a military assistance program that helps vfw posts to create relationships with military units and their families while providing funding for troop farewell and welcome home gatherings. Adopt-a-unit's goal is to develop supportive relationships with units before, during and after deployments to help deliver the vast network of resources the vfw has available to the military.- operation uplink is a program that provides troops overseas with free call days that allow them to call home to the u.s. for free for as long as they can talk.- the unmet needs program provides grants to the service members and their families to assist with qualifying financial hardships. The money is distributed directly to creditors to help the family through their hardship.

Youth activities/scholarships - vfw's youth activities and scholarships programs challenge students to reflect on our nation's history, their ideals and principles, and their own experiences based on a patriotic theme:- voice of democracy is an audio-essay program providing high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in producing a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.- patriot's pen youth essay contest is designed for students in grades 6-8 and encourages young minds to examine america's history, along with their own experiences in modern american society.- scout of the year programs honor young people from boy scouts, girl scouts, sea scouts or venturing crew who have demonstrated exceptional citizenship in school, scouting and the community.