The VFW, with its Auxiliaries, includes 2.4 million members in approximately 9,000 Posts worldwide.

Our accomplishments are many, including lobbying for a GI bill for the 20th century; donating more than $1 million each to the Vietnam, Korean, Women in the Service and World War II memorials; fighting for compensation to veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome; and improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Current VFW focus is on our military members and their families. Through several programs, the VFW and Auxiliaries are assisting families of deployed troops, welcoming returning service members, providing emergency financial aid, and recognizing the contributions made by service family members. Through partnerships, the VFW provides access to information critical to new and expectant mothers, offers child care referral and financial assistance, legal assistance, and employment assistance.

Annually, members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.

From providing $2.5 million in college scholarships to high school students every year to encouraging elevation of the Veterans Administration to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there--honoring the dead by helping the living.

Direct community involvement always has been and will continue to be a VFW priority. Working traditionally with the Red Cross, USO and Salvation Army, the VFW recently partnered with the Points of Light Foundation and America's Promise to expand the VFW's presence in the community and in youth education programs.

VFW's Community Service programs are key elements of VFW membership at the Post and Ladies Auxiliary level. These activities are designed to encourage community service and increase civic pride, which ultimately enhances education, improves the environment and ensures the availability of health services for our nations veterans.

VFW's Citizenship Education program is designed to stimulate interest in America's history and traditions and to promote citizenship, civic responsibility and patriotism.

VFW's Youth Scholarship programs include Voice of Democracy, Patriot's Pen  and Scout of the Year.

• Voice of Democracy is a national audio essay program for our nation's high school students, which annually provides more than $2.5 million in college scholarships and incentives to students across the nation.

• Patriot's Pen is a national written essay program for our nation's middle school students, which annually provides more than $1 million in savings bonds and incentives to students across the nation.

• The VFW's partnership with the Boy Scouts of America includes the sponsoring of more than 1,200 Scouting units with 40,000 members across the nation. Each year a scout is recognized as VFW "Scout of the Year" and receives a $10,000 scholarship.

VFW's Safety Program encourages VFW Posts and Auxiliaries to conduct programs in home, auto and bicycle safety, as well as programs dealing with drug awareness and substance abuse.

Since 1922, Buddy Poppy has symbolized aid for needy veterans and their families. The VFW annually distributes more than 17 million poppies to generate funds for the national veterans service program, relief for local veterans and their families and the VFW National Home for Children.

The VFW National Home for Children is a community development in a family-like environment that is home to orphaned or single parent children of VFW or Ladies Auxiliary members. The home, which was established in 1925 on 160 acres in Eaton Rapids, Mich., emphasizes the values of education, good work habits and sound moral character.