In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000. 

Since then, the VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.

Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. 

From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there.

 

 

VFW Post 12196 was Chartered on January 19, 2020. The Charter followed three months of work by Gerald Decker and Don Spaulding to raise public awareness and the required membership necessary to start a new post. By early January, we had rounded up 39 members, including 14 new members. Department Commander Craig Armstrong and staff were on hand for the Charter ceremony, which was well attended by members and the public. 

 

As the Post began to prepare for its work as a VFW Post, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It significantly affected our progress in growing and implementing necessary programs. However, we were able to host a few events, including two drive-by birthday parties for two WWII veterans, Alex Moskowitz and Paul Phillips. By the end of the first year, the Post was recognized by Leland Mayor Bozeman as "Citizen of the Year for 2020."

Since then we have achieved All-American and All-State in 2022, 2023, and 2024.