VFW Press Releases

1. VFW Honors 251 Years of Army Service and Sacrifice

   KANSAS CITY, Mo. -The more than 1.3 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and its Auxiliary proudly join a grateful nation in saluting and congratulating the United States Army on its 251 years of service and sacrifice to our nation. Since its founding on June 14, 1775, those who serve in the Army have stood strong as the foundation of our nation's defense, embodying the highest standards of courage, resilience and professional excellence.

   From the first battlefields of the Revolutionary War to the complex modern deployments across the globe today, America's soldiers have selflessly answered the call to serve for more than two and a half centuries. Their impact in shaping our nation's history and securing its future cannot be overstated.

   As we mark the Army's birthday, the VFW salutes every soldier, past, present and future, for their commitment and profound sacrifices. The security and freedoms we enjoy at home are built upon their readiness and willingness to stand in harm's way. For this we owe our soldiers and their families our deepest gratitude.

   On behalf of the more than 1.3 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary, happy 251st birthday, soldiers. "This We'll Defend!"

2. VFW Action Alert: Tell Congress to Oppose Veterans' Benefit Cuts

   Congress has introduced the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, legislation that includes many provisions the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has fought for and supports.

   But there is a serious problem.

   To pay for those benefits, Congress would codify previously proposed VA disability rating cuts for tinnitus and sleep apnea. According to VA's own estimates, these changes could reduce disability compensation payments by approximately $57 billion over 10 years and affect up to 1.5 million veterans.

   Let's be clear. Those savings do not come from waste, fraud, abuse, or bureaucracy. They come directly from veterans.

   That is $57 billion that would no longer help veterans pay mortgages, put food on the table, cover medical expenses, support their families, or support local communities across America.

   We do not want this fight.

   Many of the benefits in this bill are priorities that the VFW has worked for years to achieve. But we cannot support paying for those benefits by taking compensation away from other veterans.

   And we cannot allow Congress to establish a dangerous precedent. If veterans' disability compensation becomes an acceptable funding source today, it will become easier to use it again tomorrow.

   The VFW refuses to accept the idea that one group of veterans must lose so another group of veterans can win. Veterans' benefits are not charity. They are an earned obligation of the nation and part of the promise made through military service. Congress should Honor the Contract.

   A grateful nation pays its debts to veterans - it does not send them the invoice.

   TAKE ACTION:Tell Congress to remove the disability compensation offset provisions from the Take Care of America's Veterans Act and find a funding solution that does not come at the expense of veterans and their families.

3. VFW Strongly Opposes Disability Benefit Cuts Included in Proposed Take Care of America's Veterans Act

   WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) stands defiant in its opposition against provisions contained within the proposed Take Care of America's Veterans Act, H.R. 9237 and S. 4744, which would offset the cost of expanding benefits for combat-injured veterans by cutting disability compensation and health care access for future generations of disabled veterans.

   "The VFW strongly opposes the Take Care of America's Veterans Act as currently drafted because it asks future disabled veterans to bear the cost of expanding benefits through changing the VA rating schedule for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea which are common conditions associated with combat poly trauma," said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore. "We have long maintained that veterans' benefits are an earned obligation of the nation, a promise made through the military service contract, and should not be financed through offsets, fee increases or reductions that place additional burdens on veterans, military families and survivors."

   According to VA estimates, these changes could reduce disability compensation payments by approximately $57 billion over ten years and affect up to 1.5 million veterans. The VFW vehemently rejects these provisions not only because they would unfairly penalize disabled veterans, but also because they set a dangerous precedent by allowing Congress to alter disability ratings for budgetary purposes rather than relying on medical evidence and the established principles of the VA rating schedule.

   "Congress should Honor the Contract and strengthen veterans' programs without creating new costs for those who sacrifice in service to our country," said Whitmore. "A grateful nation pays its debts to veterans; it does not send them the invoice."

   The VFW is urging Congress to remove the disability compensation offset provisions from the legislation and identify alternative funding mechanisms that do not come at the expense of disabled veterans and their families.

   Veterans, service members, family members and supporters are encouraged to contact their elected officials and urge them to oppose the disability compensation offset provisions contained in the bill.

4. VFW Remembers Past Commander-in-Chief John Furgess

   KANSAS CITY, Mo. -The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States remembers the legacy of John Furgess, a distinguished Army officer, veteran advocate and past VFW Commander-in-Chief.

   John began a lifetime of public service after earning his bachelor's degree in business from Middle Tennessee State University in 1965. He entered the U.S. Army the same year where he served until 1970, to include a tour in Vietnam with a military intelligence unit assigned to the Americal Division headquarters at Chu Lai. For his service, he received numerous military honors, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal, among others.

   Following active-duty service, John continued his military career in the Tennessee Army National Guard, ultimately retiring in 1993 at the rank of colonel after 28 years of combined service. He also completed the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1979.

   In 1970, he joined VFW Post 1970 in Nashville, Tennessee, becoming a Life member in 1974. Over the years, he held numerous leadership roles within the organization, including Post Commander, District Commander, and Tennessee Department Commander (1978-1979), becoming the first Vietnam veteran to serve as the state's commander. He later served on the VFW National Council of Administration and was appointed to multiple national committees.

   After his military service, he continued his commitment to veterans as assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, a role he held for two decades until his retirement in October 2002, overseeing 11 field offices across the state.

   John was elected to the organization's highest office on August 20, 2004, during the 105th VFW National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following year, he escorted a group of veterans on the VFW's inaugural Purple Heart Return to Vietnam healing retreat, and traveled to Iraq, making him the first VFW National Commander to visit deployed service members in the region since the start of the Iraq War.

   Beyond the VFW, he was active in several veterans service organizations, including Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, the Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion, the Americal Division Veterans Association and Vietnam Veterans of America.

   He will long be remembered for his more than 60 years of dedicated military service and veterans advocacy at the local, state and national levels.

   Read his obituary.

   
   

5. Oracle Provides VFW Foundation with $160,000 to Aid Veterans Service

   KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Longtime VFW Foundation supporter Oracle has donated $160,000 to help advance the Veterans of Foreign Wars' National Veterans Service (NVS) program.

   "This isn't just a donation, it's a lifeline for so many veterans," said VFW Foundation Executive Director Hal Roesch. "VFW Accredited Service Officers work tirelessly to ensure veterans get the benefits and compensation their selfless service has earned them. We're thankful to work alongside great companies like Oracle, whose dedication to honoring and giving back to our nation's military and veteran families aligns so well with our own."

   Established more than 100 years ago, the VFW's NVS program consists of a nationwide network of nearly 2,300 VFW Accredited Service Officers and Pre-Discharge Representatives. These experts navigate VA processes to assist service members, veterans and their dependents with filing and appealing benefit and compensation claims. In fiscal year 2025, the VFW helped veterans recoup $16.2 billion in VA disability compensation and pension benefits.

   Oracle's mission is to leverage innovation, technology, and people to help create a better future for communities and the planet. The company's philanthropic approach reflects that mission, with US$27.7 million donated to organizations in 47 countries worldwide in fiscal year 2025.

   "Improving access to healthcare and essential support services is an important part of Oracle's philanthropic efforts," says Colleen Cassity, global head of Social Impact and executive director of Oracle Education Foundation and Oracle Health Foundation. "We're honored to support the VFW Foundation and its work helping veterans and military families access the benefits and care they've earned through their service."

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