A second group of programs under the Community Service umbrella is called Special Projects and Activities, which include public recognition, community service, awards and other miscellaneous youth activities.
Recognition Programs
The VFW and Auxiliary recognize and honor those individuals who have performed above and beyond their peers. Of particular significance are those members and veterans who have placed the safety and welfare of others above and beyond their own. The VFW and Auxiliary take advantage of the opportunity to honor worthy individuals and sometimes organizations. A number of awards are presented:
National Citation of Recognition – These citations are available to recognize Posts or individual Post chairmen who have demonstrated an exceptionally high level of service to their community. The Department Chairmen are given sole responsibility for identifying those Posts and individuals.
Public Servant National Awards (Law Enforcement, Firefighter, Emergency Services) – Each year the VFW selects emergency medical technicians (services), law enforcement, and firefighter personnel to receive VFW Public Servant Awards. Posts submit a candidate for these awards to their Department Headquarters by January 1. The Department then selects a single candidate for each of the three awards and submits those to the VFW National Headquarters by February 1.
VFW National Emergency Medical Technician Public Servant Citation: Any individual, who actively gives emergency medical treatment, provides rescue service or civil disaster assistance as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to give emergency medical care, provide rescue and civil disaster assistance to our nation’s citizens.
VFW National Law Enforcement Public Servant Citation: Any individual who serves in a municipal, county, state or federal unit tasked with enforcement of the laws pertaining to their area of responsibility. This award does not apply to individual employed by private companies or security services.
VFW National Firefighters Public Servant Citation: Any individual who actively fights fires as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to fight fires and give assistance to our nation’s citizens.
Criteria for these awards – Candidates must have demonstrated: 1) Recognition by their colleagues or those they serve, 2) Consistent excellence in the performance of their duties, and 3) Consistent dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their profession.
Life Saving Awards – The Safety Chairmen at Posts, Districts, and Departments regularly identify and honor individuals throughout the year in their geographic area who have saved a life. The VFW programs department provides the three different life saving citations (Regular, Line of Duty and Valor) for local presentation.
VFW Special Projects – Special projects include Americanism, volunteer recognition, community service awards and recognition, and other youth activities.
Americanism – Americanism is a project of a patriotic nature like flag presentations, parades, presentation of patriotic literature, patriotic ceremonies in schools or youth groups, and public observances of national holidays. Each project must benefit the greater community not just the Post or Auxiliary.
Community Service - Any activity done by a Post or Auxiliary that benefits the community falls under the banner of community service. Outstanding volunteer efforts is recognized in three ways 1) volunteer recognition programs, 2) Outstanding Community Service Post Awards given to Posts identified by their Departments for their exceptional response to VFW community service programs, and 3) Outstanding Post Special Project Award, given each year to Posts that do a special project outside their normal VFW activities.
Youth Activities – VFW Veterans in the Classroom. Teachers seek out VFW Posts looking for veterans to come into the classroom and share their military experiences. VFW members may also choose to contact local youth groups and schools and express their willingness to share their experiences. These groups include Scouting, Civil Air Patrol, Naval Sea Cadet or JROTC units. These programs annually produce individuals with an appreciation of patriotism, civic responsibility and the likelihood of future military service. The Post considers providing leaders or sponsoring units their facility for meetings and encourages their involvement in service projects. The Post benefits by performing flag retirement ceremonies, helping distribute Buddy Poppies, or helping with clean up after events. Click here for more information about veterans in the classroom.
Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service – The VFW was a charter member in 1946. VFW volunteers donate millions of hours of service annually at VA medical facilities.
The Post seeks out ways in which they can benefit their community. Any activity that benefits the community, honors America’s veterans and those in uniform.
Click here for a look at some of the ways the VFW serves the communities where a post resides.
Click here to view the VFW Diverse Endeavors.