The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service as many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, so they were left to care for themselves.

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 and by 1936, membership was almost 200,000. 

Since then, the VFW's voice has been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating the 20th Century GI bill, and the development of the national cemetery system.  The VFW also fought for compensation and care for Vietnam veterans 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.  Finally, the VFW was instrumental in the passage of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act in 2022.  The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history as it expanded and extended eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures from the Vietnam War to the present.  It adds many illnesses to the list of health conditions that are presumed to be caused by exposure to toxic substances while serving.  

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 their communities, 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.