Ohio History Journal

THE AMERICAN VETERANS OF FOREIGN SERVICE

AND

THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

by GEORGE T. TRIAL

National Historian, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

 

The oldest and largest organization in this country comprised

solely of overseas ex-servicemen grew out of events in Columbus,

Ohio. That organization is the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the

United States, often identified as the V.F.W. The nearly 2,000,000

members of the V.F.W. are all campaign-medal men, who have

served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast

Guard outside the continental boundaries of this nation. They

represent action in combat areas of the Spanish-American War,

World Wars I and II, and many other campaigns and expeditions

in which the United States has participated.

The very beginning of this "overseas fighting men's organiza-

tion" is traced to the ideals and initiative of a young man named

James Romanis who, in 1899, had just returned home from the

Cuban campaign and was discharged, as a private, from the 17th

United States Infantry Regiment. Back in civilian life Romanis

gained employment in a pharmacy outside Columbus Barracks, now

known as Fort Hayes, at Columbus, Ohio. Romanis was only in

his early twenties, but he possessed certain qualities which have

much to do with this story. He was an idealist and a thinker with

initiative and great compassion for his fellow men.

Day after day Romanis watched many men enter the pharmacy

in which he was employed. Like himself they had been recently

discharged from the army. They were suffering with tropical fever

and sought medicine with which to treat themselves. The worry

about health was their burden alone because, in 1899, our govern-

ment had not yet instituted adequate hospitalization for its war

veterans. Such services were not to be established until 1922-

nearly a quarter century later.

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80     OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

Romanis was thinking as he saw these men treating themselves

with the only medicines they could procure. He saw that most of

them were unable to work, and thus unable to support themselves

as a consequence of their service in defense of their country. He

saw them going to the poorhouse broken in spirit, pocketbook, and

body. He knew that most of them were dying in squalor. The

situation was deplorable. Romanis realized that something should

be done about such conditions, and as he weighed the problem an

idea, which might be the answer, gradually developed in his mind.

Finally Romanis thought he had the solution. He described

it to some of his comrades and close friends. Why, he asked,

wouldn't there be a possibility of doing something constructive

toward remedial measures through an association of all the veterans

who had served in the 17th infantry regiment? These men had

been comrades in arms, why shouldn't they stick together as com-

rades in peace for the benefit of one another? The suggestion

impressed several veterans favorably. They agreed to hold a meet-

ing for further discussion of the idea on Friday night, September

29, 1899.1

The meeting on the evening of September 29th was held in the

tailoring establishment of Francis Dubiel, 286 Main Street, Co-

lumbus, Ohio. It was there that Romanis' thoughts were developed

into reality. The men who had returned from the Spanish-American

War organized what they later called "The American Veterans of

Foreign Service."

Dubiel was chosen temporary chairman and James Romanis,

secretary. Other veterans attending that first meeting included

James C. Putnam, George Kelly, Bert J. DuRant, Walker Wadding-

ton, John Malloy, Oscar S. Brookins, Charles Click, John H. Clark,

David Brown, George Beeckman, and Andrew S. Grant. Toward

the close of the session another veteran, Simon Heiman, brother-

in-law of Dubiel, arrived. Heiman had served with the 4th Ohio

Volunteer Infantry in Puerto Rico.

 

1 A Columbus, Ohio, newspaper carried the following announcement: "Seventeenth

Vets. Will Form an Association Friday Night. There will be a meeting of the ex-

members of the Seventeenth Infantry at 286 East Main Street, Friday evening, at 7

p.m., standard time, for the purpose of effecting an organization. It is to the interest

of all old Seventeenth men to be present at this meeting. As an association for mutual

benefit in getting pension claims, etc., is to be formed," Columbus Dispatch, September

25, 1899.

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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS                  81

 

Both DuRant and Dubiel urged that membership in the pro-

spective organization include all veterans of the Spanish-American

War who had served on foreign soil, rather than be restricted to men

of the 17th infantry. This suggestion was unanimously approved.

A committee consisting of James C. Putnam, Bert J. DuRant, and

George Kelly was appointed to draft a constitution and to select an

appropriate name for the new organization.

The second meeting of the group of veterans took place Satur-

day evening, October 7, 1899, at the same place, the Dubiel tailor-

ing shop. The committee chosen to select a name for the new organ-

ization reported as their choice "American Veterans of Foreign

Service." This name met with favor in that all had had military

service in a foreign land. Also at the second meeting James C.

Putnam submitted a written constitution which was adopted by the

assembled group.² Permanent officers were elected for the ensuing

year. They were: president, James C. Putnam; vice presidents

George Kelly and Bert J. DuRant; secretary, James Romanis; treas-

urer, Francis Dubiel; chaplain, David Brown; trustees, John H

Clark, John Malloy, and Oscar S. Brookins; sergeants-at-arms

Walker Waddington and Andrew S. Grant. Five of these newI

elected officers incorporated the organization on October 10, 1899

under the laws of Ohio.

James Romanis wanted the American Veterans of Foreig

Service to become the organization of all overseas veterans of the

recent war with Spain. He designed a membership-at-large metho

of enlisting members in every section of the country. He carrie

on widespread correspondence with all men who were former mem-

bers of the armed forces. In order to further stimulate the growl

of the organization, provisions were approved for subordinate unit

which were to have the semimilitary designation of "Camps.

Aside from the men who had been elected as national officers,

local unit was founded in Columbus and called Headquarters Cam??

Number 1.

During the next three months some of the national officers re-

signed because business affairs kept them out of active participation

in organization affairs. On December 1, 1899, Major Will S. White.

2 For a copy of the constitution see, Constitution and By-Laws of the American

Veterans of Foreign Service Officially Adopted at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 1, 19??

(Philadelphia, [1906]).

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82      OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

of Columbus was elected national president replacing James C.

Putnam. White served in this capacity until October 1902.

After the initial months of getting started in late 1899, the

new veterans' organization became stabilized and grew in numbers.

The designation of subordinate units was changed from camp num-

bers to names of popular military leaders of that day. Headquarters

Camp Number 1 of Columbus became Camp Henry W. Lawton.3

As it grew, the American Veterans of Foreign Service became

increasingly active. Its members officiated at funerals of departed

comrades⁴ and sponsored civic activities, especially those having

military aspects. They participated in an official welcome to

Admiral Dewey when he visited Columbus,5 and took an active part

in Memorial Day exercises6 and in Independence Day celebrations.7

With the organization firmly established, annual conventions

were held. On these occasions the assembled delegates represented

subordinate units, or camps, located in many parts of the country.

They elected national officers and transacted the business of the

organization. A list of annual conventions from the first through

1912 follows:

YEAR     DATE        PLACE OF CONVENTION    ELECTED PRESIDENT

1899 December 1 ....Columbus, Ohio .............Will S. White

of Columbus, Ohio

1901 October 15 ...Columbus, Ohio ...............Will S. White

of Columbus, Ohio

1902 October 7 and

8 .........Columbus, Ohio ..............James Romanis

of Columbus, Ohio

1903 October 11

and 12 ........Washington Court House,

Ohio                  James Romanis

of Columbus, Ohio

1904 September 11

and 12 ........Cincinnati, Ohio ................James Romanis

of Columbus, Ohio

3 A meeting of this camp was announced as follows: "Foreign Veterans' Meeting.

At the Meeting of Lawton camp, American Veterans of Foreign Service, held at their

rooms, corner Third and Mound streets, last evening, it was decided to offer a series

of entertainments during the winter....

Preparations are under way for the formation of an auxiliary similar to that of

the Women's Relief corps. A committee was appointed to draft suitable resolutions

to Mrs. Lawton for the use of her hero husband's name for the camp." Columbus

Press-Post, July 24, 1900.

4 Columbus Dispatch, November 16, 1902.

5 Columbus Press-Post, March 27, 1900.

6 Columbus Dispatch, May 30, 1903.

7 Columbus Dispatch, July 2, 1903.

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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS                       83

 

YEAR     DATE         PLACE OF CONVENTION   ELECTED PRESIDENT

1905 September 13,

14 and 15....Altoona, Pa. ..............Herbert O. Kelley

of Altoona, Pa.

1906 August 31 and

September 1Cincinnati, Ohio ............Charles R. Deveraux

of Cincinnati, Ohio

1907 September 12,

13 and 14....Jamestown Exposition,

Norfolk, Virginia ........ David T. Nevin

of Philadelphia, Pa.

1908 September 7,

8, 9 and 10..Lebanon, Pa. ............J. Alfred Judge

of Philadelphia, Pa.

1909 August 10, 11,

12 and 13....Pittsburgh, Pa. ..................J. Alfred Judge

of Philadelphia, Pa.

1910 September 19,

20 and 21....Jersey City, N. J................. Robert G. Woodside

of Pittsburgh, Pa.

1911 August 22, 23,

and 24 ........Buffalo, New York..............Robert G. Woodside

of Pittsburgh, Pa.

1912 August 26, 27,

and 28 ......Philadelphia, Pa. .............Robert G. Woodside

of Pittsburgh, Pa.

These national conventions grew in attendance as well as in

importance. During the early years, only delegates, national officers,

and any members that so desired attended. At first the conventions

were mainly social gatherings, where tales about war experiences

were exchanged and organizational business discussed. Later, how-

ever, speakers of national importance attended. Usually they were

military leaders.8

Through the years the pattern of the national conventions was

much the same. There were greetings from city or state officials,

then business sessions, conducted sight-seeing trips, a parade, elec-

tion of officers for the ensuing year, selection of the next convention

city, and then adjournment. Evenings spent at "smokers" or "camp-

fires" gave the veterans opportunity to "swap" their wartime ex-

periences.⁹ Aside from any outstanding or famous persons speak-

8 For example, the speakers at the Pittsburgh convention in 1909 were Lieut.

Gen. S. B. M. Young and Maj. Gen. Fred Grant. Pittsburgh Post, August 12 and 13,

1909.

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84       OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

ing at a convention, the high point of each annual meeting was the

parade. Probably the most pompous public procession during the

life of the organization took place in Philadelphia during the

convention of 1912.10

While in attendance at the national conventions many of the

delegates lived in tents, erected for the visitors.11 This practice was

a carry-over from the Grand Army of the Republic national en-

campments.

One of the main objectives of the American Veterans of For-

eign Service was to "assist worthy comrades."¹² The following news

item from the Columbus Dispatch, April 17, 1901, will attest to the

start of such acts.

 

PRIVATE HALL

 

WRITES A LETTER TO LAWTON CAMP, V. F. S

 

Thanking Them for Their Kindness-Was

Rescued From the Poor House.

 

Myron B. Hall, the 17th U.S.I. soldier whom Lawton camp, A.V.F.S.,

got transferred from the poorhouse to comfortable quarters at the Sandusky

S. & S. home, has written the following letter to national president, Major

Will S. White:

Sandusky, O., April 15, 1901.

Mr. Will White:

Dear Comrade-I thought I would wait until I was settled before

writing. I was transferred to a cottage to-day. The grounds on which the

home is built are beautiful, as far as I have seen and I like it very well.

Everything is neat and clean, there is plenty to eat and good medical

attendance.

Tell Mrs. White that the syrup she made for me is helping my cough,

it is not near so bad. I wish to thank you and also my comrades of the

lodge for what they have done for me and as soon as I can will reimburse

them. You do not know how much good that did me, and I appreciate it,

and in the future I shall do all I can for the benefit of the lodge.

I am getting along nicely, but I do not know what to do about that

pension of mine.

I wish you would see if it cannot be pushed.

Yours truly,

MYRON B. HALL,

Soldiers' Home, Sandusky, 0.

(Cameron Cottage.)

 

Private Hall is the soldier who fought at San Juan Hill, slept out in the

tropical swamps until his lungs were affected and then came home to die in

the poor house.

9 Buffalo Express, August 20, 1911.

10 Evening Bulletin (Philadelphia), August 28, 1912.

11 Pittsburgh Post, August 10, 1909.

12 Constitution and By-Laws, Article I.

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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS                    85

He was rescued by the comrades of Lawton camp, and was sent to the

Sandusky home. He is after a pension, to which he is entitled, but has not

as yet secured it.

Another item appearing in the Columbus Dispatch, May 14,

1901, read: "Camp Lawton. . . . C. F. Brown, a member of the

Fourth O.V.I. in Porto Rico, was reported as being in serious cir-

cumstances and a liberal appropriation from the camp's treasury

was allowed for his benefit."

The American Veterans of Foreign Service expanded its interest

in local and individual welfare activities to policies of national

scope. At the organization's 1903 national convention the need for

increased veterans' pension and retirement benefits was discussed.

Reflecting this interest, the Columbus Dispatch of October 11, 1903,

published an item which said: "Foreign Service . . . Retirement

Bill. Monday afternoon a new legislative committee will be ap-

pointed. The convention will favor more liberal pension laws and

will no doubt take up the 25 year retirement bill with a great deal

of energy." Another item from the Columbus Dispatch of October

13, 1903, read as follows: "Prepare Pension Bill. The committee

on legislation was directed to prepare a pension bill for foreign

service veterans and present it to the next session of Congress."

The legislative committee mentioned above was further ex-

plained by the following in the Columbus Dispatch of October 18,

1903:

In the convention held at Washington Court House, Ohio, October 11th and

12th, upon recommendation of the president, all matters pertaining to legis-

lation will be placed in the hands of a committee appointed for the purpose.

This committee has been named as follows: George Kelly, Columbus, Ohio;

J. B. Davie, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Samuel J. Browning, Kansas City, Mis-

souri; James M. Young, Cincinnati, Ohio; Charles A. Jones, Cheyenne,

Wyoming; Edwin C. Johnson, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Lynn F. Smithers,

Washington Court House, Ohio; William H. Hamilton, Denver, Colorado;

Daniel McKenzie, Columbus, Ohio; and James Lee, Marysville, Ohio.

This legislative committee was instructed to correspond with

members of congress, indicating the support they were giving legis-

lation for the welfare of war veterans.

At the 1907 national convention in Norfolk, Virginia, a reso-

lution was passed which was reported in the Virginian-Pilot, issue

of Friday, September 13: "The American Veterans of Foreign

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86     OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

Service . . . adopted a resolution petitioning congress to again

authorize the 'much abused canteen' at the army posts." The resolu-

tion was as follows:

Resolved, That we, the American Veterans of Foreign Service, do hereby

address and pray that Congress will restore in the army of the United States

the much abused canteen and thereby secure for the soldiery of the country the

morality and freedom from the vice which lurks about and has been insiduously

ruining its character in the low taverns and brothels which infest the near

vicinity of army posts. . . . The Veterans adopted another resolution pro-

viding that all stationery used by the organization shall bear the union label.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during October 1901, several

former members of the 10th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, a

unit that had been in the Philippines during the war with Spain,

met and organized the "Philippine War Veterans." By coincidence

this group changed its name in 1902 to "Foreign Service Veterans."

While the American Veterans of Foreign Service were having

their national convention in Cincinnati in 1905, a member of the

Foreign Service Veterans, George Metzger, of Pittsburgh, attended

as a visitor. He invited the A.V.F.S. national officers to visit the

Foreign Service Veterans' convention the following week in

Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Acting upon this invitation, the Cincin-

nati convention voted to send its national commander, James

Romanis, as a representative empowered to arrange any feasible

adjustment between the two organizations.

Romanis visited the younger veteran group and suggested to

Captain Robert S. Hansbury, its presiding officer, that the Foreign

Service Veterans adopt the insignia of the American Veterans of

Foreign Service. Also, he recommended that each organization

retain its current government for the ensuing year and that they

meet jointly, arrange terms of amalgamation, and elect one set of

officers. This suggestion was adopted by the Foreign Service Vet-

erans' convention, and the lapel button of the older Columbus

organization at once became the insignia of both organizations.

Returning to Columbus, James Romanis established the first

monthly publication of the American Veterans of Foreign Service

organization entitled, "The American Veterans of Foreign Service."

The purpose of that move was to promote a spirit of good will

between the two veteran groups during the interim preceding their

combined conventions the following year.

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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS                   87

The joint convention of the two organizations was held at

Altoona, Pennsylvania, September 13-16, 1905. The two groups

merged, and Herbert O. Kelley of Altoona was elected commander.13

Up to this time the preponderance of national officers had always

come from Columbus, Ohio, but the merger resulted in men from

other cities being selected as leaders. Also, the headquarters control

of the organization's activities was transferred subsequently to Pitts-

burgh and Philadelphia.

During the convention at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, in 1908, and

again at Pittsburgh in 1909, there was discussion of merging the

American Veterans of Foreign Service with still another ex-service-

men's group that had been founded in Denver, Colorado.14 This

finally came about in 1913, when the American Veterans of Foreign

Service accepted an invitation to meet in Denver with the "Society

of the Army of the Philippines," a group composed entirely of men

who had served with various units of the 8th army corps in the

Philippines and in the Philippine Insurrection. The new organiza-

tion adopted as its name "The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the

United States." This was officially done at the national encampment

held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 14-17, 1914.

That is the organization as constituted today. The Veterans of

Foreign Wars of the United States represents, as did the original

organizers in 1899, men whose official discharge papers from the

government credit them with foreign military service in American

armed forces. Membership in the V.F.W. is limited to men in that

category by a congressional charter and by the organization's con-

stitution, which reads as follows:

Any officer or enlisted man, or any honorably discharged officer or en-

listed man, who has served or may serve in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps

of the United States of America in any foreign war, insurrection or expedition

which service shall be governed by the issuance of a campaign badge by the

United States of America shall be eligible to active membership.

The objects of the V.F.W., described in article I of the consti-

tution, are "fraternal, patriotic, historical and educational; to pre-

serve and strengthen comradeship among its neighbors; to assist

worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our

dead, and to assist the widows and orphans; to maintain true

13 Pittsburgh Post, September 15, 1905.

14 Lebanon Daily News, September 10, 1908; Pittsburgh Post, August 13, 1909.

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88     OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

allegiance to the government of the United States of America; and

fidelity to its Constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to

maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom; and to

preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies whom-

soever."

The Veterans of Foreign Wars has selected as its official in-

signia the Cross of Malta. Originally that was the emblem of the

Knights of St. John, or the Crusaders, who campaigned against the

Saracens in the Middle East several hundred years ago for the con-

quest of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulcher. The Cross of Malta,

signifying the eight beatitudes presented in the Sermon on the

Mount, is described by Veterans of Foreign Wars members as ex-

pressive of the tolerance, loyalty, and service for which the modern

fighting men strive.

Those are the broad aims of the V.F.W. today, but they are not

expressed in mere words. Members of the Veterans of Foreign

Wars have always regarded their pledges in their constitution and

those represented by the Cross of Malta as obligations to be ful-

filled. As a consequence, the working machinery with which the

V.F.W. operates today is far more complex than that of 1899, 1905,

or 1914.

Today's members of the V.F.W. include veterans of the

Spanish-American War; the Chinese Boxer Rebellion; the Philip-

pine Insurrection; the Cuban Pacification; World War I; various

armed campaigns and expeditions such as the Haitian campaign of

1919-20; the Yangtze River campaigns of 1926-27 and 1930-32;

the Nicaraguan campaign of 1933; and soldiers, sailors, marines,

and coast guard men with campaign-ribbon service in World War II.

In the list of members of the V.F.W. are names of prominent lead-

ers in military, governmental, and business circles. President Harry

S. Truman, General Dwight Eisenhower, General Douglas Mac-

Arthur, Lt. Gen. Omar Bradley, and many leaders in congress, in-

dustry, labor, education, religion, and other fields belong to the

Veterans of Foreign Wars.

There are now nearly 10,000 local units of the V.F.W. The;

are called "Posts," rather than camps. These community units as

scattered through the 48 states, the District of Columbia, the Canal

Zone, Hawaii, and Alaska. They are controlled by "Departments"

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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS                 89

 

(on the state level) and by the national organization. All programs,

policies, and fiscal activities of the organization are coordinated

through V.F.W. national headquarters in Washington, D. C., and

Kansas City, Missouri.

National headquarters in Kansas City is the administrative

spoke of the V.F.W. Its duties are to maintain membership and

financial records and to serve as a supply center. Its departments

include the extension division, Americanism section, youth activities,

the historical and archives section, headquarters for the buddy

poppy sale, in addition to the editorial offices of Foreign Service,

the official magazine.  In  Washington, D. C., are V.F.W.

offices dealing with legislation, veterans' rehabilitation, and educa-

tion and information, as well as the national publicity and radio

section.

A national legislative representative, assisted by a national

legislative committee, sponsors bills to be introduced in congress,

represents the V.F.W. at congressional committee hearings, and

keeps V.F.W. local and state units informed as to the status of

veteran welfare legislation. The following persons have served in

the capacity of full-time legislative representatives in Washington,

D. C.: Edwin S. Bettelheim, Jr., (May 1921-1930) of Washington,

D. C., presently adjutant general of the Military Order of World

Wars; Lecil S. Ray (August 1931-October 1933) of Washington,

D. C., a retired disabled army officer, who formerly served as claims

and service officer for the Disabled Emergency Officers' organiza-

tion; George K. Brobeck (October 1933-1936), formerly personnel

director for the highway department of Minnesota; Millard S. Rice

(1936-1940), presently employed by the Disabled American Vet-

erans in Washington, D. C.; Omar B. Ketchum (1940-     ), for-

merly mayor of Topeka, Kansas, for four years.

For many years following its inception as an active depart-

ment of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the national legislative serv-

ice concerned itself mainly with legislation geared to the needs

and desires of the veterans as a special group. This approach was

based on the resolutions adopted at successive national encamp-

ments, which operated within a limited zone of activity. However,

World War II, in addition to bringing more than one million

younger veterans into the organization, presented new dynamics of

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90     OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

thought, which were promptly manifested in encampment resolu-

tions concerning a broader field of legislative objectives.

Consequently, beginning with the second session of the 79th

congress and carrying through the 80th congress, the national legis-

lative service, besides presenting a broad, comprehensive program

of veterans' legislative objectives, also pressed for fulfillment of its

policies in the fields of housing, employment, education, national

security, immigration, agriculture, taxation, social security, military

and naval justice, armed service unification, atomic energy, surplus

property disposal, alien property, and foreign affairs.

Although many of these fields of activity concerned immediate

veterans' benefits, there was manifested a pronounced recognition

that the veteran was primarily a citizen, whose needs and problems

were related to all men, women, and children of this country. True,

the activity in each field was restricted to the "veterans' angle," but

the widening approach to the veteran's interests is significant. Since

the close of World War II, the legislative section, formerly com-

posed of a director only, has been expanded to include a director,

an assistant director, and two legislative assistants.

Under direction of the V.F.W. National Rehabilitation Service

in Washington, thousands of claims are handled annually in behalf

of disabled veterans. This section is staffed with medical, legal, and

claims experts, who provide free assistance to all members. The

assistance includes technical advice regarding government insur-

ance, burial allowances, hospitalization, vocational training, educa-

tional aid, pensions, and compensation. Claims are presented by

the V.F.W. before the Veterans Administration without cost to the

veteran.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars today recognizes that education

is the fundamental responsibility of any nation or society. And,

just as it is true that a society creates its schools, so it is equally

true that the schools are instrumental in molding society. With that

clearly in mind, members of the V.F.W. sponsor many educational

projects on national, statewide, and community levels. Such pro-

grams keep the men who have fought for military victories directly

in step with all educational leaders and groups interested in

strengthening public appreciation of better schools and colleges-

for the benefit of veterans and non-veterans alike. The Veterans

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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS                91

 

of Foreign Wars has definitely stepped into the field of education

insofar as general campaigning for better education is concerned.

As a leader not only in veterans' affairs but in community and

civic activities, the Veterans of Foreign Wars' organization is

alarmed by the large amounts of money spent annually to combat

crime in comparison with the amount expended on education-

almost eight times as much for curbing crime as for educating

future citizens. Merely a 14 per cent reduction in crime would pay

for all the costs of education throughout the country.

The overseas veterans believe that education of the masses is

more essential in a democracy than in any other form of govern-

ment, because only an enlightened people are capable of governing

themselves. Therefore, democracy places a great responsibility on

the schools to produce the kind of individual who can think

logically, analyze critically, and act intelligently in the interests

of the nation as a whole. The V.F.W. accepts its responsibilities of

leadership by presenting an educational program which is more

than lip service to the ideals of democratic education.

That same interest in public welfare also is expressed through

a wide variety of projects sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign

Wars' National Department of Americanism. Generally speaking

"Americanism" connotes patriotism. The V.F.W. Department of

Americanism and hundreds of state and post chairmen strive to

increase public interest in patriotic activities throughout the year.

But the V.F.W. goes even further to make Americanism the vehicle

for development of national and community welfare.

On the national level the director of Americanism acts in a

liaison capacity between many "outside" sources of patriotic inter-

ests and activities and the V.F.W. units. Efforts of the national and

state directors are primarily for stimulation of Americanism in-

terests on the community level, because through direct contact

between posts and the public the most valuable achievements are

realized.

Through its Americanism channels the Veterans of Foreign

Wars encourages and rewards better citizenship, sponsors and sup-

ports community welfare projects, combats subversive influences,

develops stronger appreciation of American history and ideals in

public schools, dramatizes and emphasizes the importance of

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92     OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

patriotic-historical holidays, and builds in the minds of young and

old alike a clearer understanding of democracy-the "American

way of life"-as represented by the American Declaration of In-

dependence and the constitution. It was through the initiative of

the V.F.W. that the "Star Spangled Banner" became this nation's

anthem. Congress adopted that song, written by Francis Scott Key,

following a nationwide V.F.W. campaign terminating in 1933.

Veterans of Foreign Wars' efforts to enhance the welfare of

ex-servicemen and public alike extends to the youth of the nation.

The men who served on battlefields to retain the advantages of

democracy and the American way of life are activating those in-

terests during times of peace. Through the national department of

athletics and recreation the V.F.W. has inaugurated character-

building projects for American youngsters. These include national

softball and marble tournaments. The organization has sponsored

hundreds of Boy Scout troops and sons of V.F.W. units. Such

projects impress upon youth healthy, active appreciation of good

citizenship and a more substantial interpretation of Americanism.

Another major achievement of the organization is the Veterans

of Foreign Wars' National Home for orphans and widows of mem-

bers, at Eaton Rapids, Michigan. This is one of the nation's most

unusual philanthropic projects. The home comprises 22 family-size

houses, in each of which lives a group of children under the care

of a house mother. It occupies a 640-acre farm on which are dairy

buildings, a hospital, a community center, playgrounds, orchards,

and grain fields. Education, food, clothing, constructive play, physi-

cal welfare-all the essentials to well-rounded American youth-

are provided the boys and girls who have been left without a home

upon the death of their parents.

The foregoing has been the story of the founding and the

struggle for strength of one of the nation's veterans' organizations.

Little did those original thirteen men, meeting in Dubiel's shop in

Columbus, realize they were founding an organization destined,

some fifty years later, to contain over a million men who had served

on foreign soil and in hostile waters and air.

In addition, this paper attempts to outline the services a veter-

ans' organization provides for a segment of our society not cared

for elsewhere. The American Veterans of Foreign Service was

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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS                93

organized to provide a personal link between the individual veteran

and governmental agencies. This is still the basic purpose of this

veterans' organization today.

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