VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS DAY

Veterans of Foreign Wars Day: Honoring Service Abroad and Advocacy at Home 

Sep. 29 is marked as VFW Day, a time to honor those who served in combat zones abroad and the community they built when they returned home.  

The VFW was founded in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection who returned to a nation unprepared to meet their needs. They chose to organize despite the lack of a system to provide proper medical care or fair benefits. Out of their determination grew a tradition of advocacy that has shaped more than a century of progress for veterans and their families.

VFW Day calls us to reflect on that history and the courage behind it. The organization has been a driving force in securing the GI Bill, expanding healthcare, and ensuring that those who served are not forgotten once their battles end.  

It is also a reminder of the everyday support the VFW provides. Beyond legislation and national victories, posts across the country offer connection, mentorship, and assistance to veterans navigating life after service. From helping with VA claims to providing a place where experiences are understood without explanation, the VFW remains a lifeline rooted in shared sacrifice.  

This observance reminds us that service carries forward into every chapter of life. The veterans who faced hardship abroad created a foundation of support at home, and that work continues today. VFW Day is a chance to recognize their sacrifices and honor their lasting commitment to one another and future generations of service members.

HERO SPOTLIGHT

Brigadier General Irving Hale: Soldier, Founder, and Advocate for Veterans of Foreign Wars 

Horace Irving Hale was born in North Bloomfield, NY, on Aug. 28, 1861. His father, Horace M. Hale, was an educator who later became the second president of the University of Colorado. The family relocated to Colorado in 1865, and young Irving grew up in a time of westward expansion, imbued with a spirit of service.  

Hale distinguished himself academically and athletically in Colorado. He graduated first in his class from Denver East High School in 1877 and was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1880. He graduated in 1884 at the head of his class, earning a nearly perfect score. Reportedly, the highest cumulative score ever achieved at the Academy to that date.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army, Hale developed interests in engineering and academics. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1886. Between 1887 and 1888, he taught military photography at the Engineer School of Application, and from 1888 to 1889, he served as assistant professor of civil and military engineering at West Point. He was also a marksmanship champion, winning a gold medal in a US Army rifle competition in 1888.

In 1890, Hale left active duty and joined General Electric, pursuing a civilian engineering path. But his ties to Colorado remained strong. In 1897, as the Spanish–American War loomed, Hale joined the Colorado State Militia and was commissioned first as lieutenant colonel and then promoted to colonel by the state governor. He led the 1st Colorado Infantry. His regiment was mustered into US service and sent to the Philippines when war broke out.

In the Philippines, Hale played a significant role in capturing Manila, securing key American positions and raising the first American flag over the city’s fortifications. Because of his leadership, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers and given command of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, of the Eighth Army Corps.

During the subsequent Philippine–American War, he was wounded while scouting enemy positions in the Battle of Meycauayan on March 26, 1899. For his leadership throughout the campaign, he was awarded the Citation Star, an honor later converted to the Silver Star Medal.

After the campaigns, Hale opted not to remain in the US volunteer army. He was mustered out in October 1899 and returned to civilian life in Denver. In December 1899, Hale took part in organizing the Colorado Society of the Army of the Philippines in Denver, one of the early groups formed by veterans who had served overseas. That society later played a central role in merging into the national VFW. 

In his post-military years, Hale continued his engineering career and remained respected in Colorado civic life. On Sep. 29, 1911, he suffered a paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered. He died in Denver on July 26, 1930, and was buried at Fairmount Cemetery.

The city later honored him with a plaque at Colorado’s State Capitol, and the Denver neighborhood “Hale” is named in his memory. Hale’s life bridges battlefield service and institutional founding. As a combat leader in the Philippines and one of the early organizers of veteran associations, he is a meaningful figure in the VFW’s early story.  

He reminds us that the effort to support veterans was born early on from the very conflicts these men served in. 

The History of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day 

The story of VFW Day begins at the end of the 19th century. When American soldiers returned from the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War, they came home to a nation unprepared to meet their needs. Many carried wounds that would last a lifetime and found little in the way of medical care, pensions, or support to help them rebuild their lives.  

Out of that hardship, veterans began to organize. In September 1899, the American Veterans of Foreign Service in Columbus, Ohio, and the Colorado Society of the Army of the Philippines in Denver were formed. These groups and others eventually joined together to become the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. From the beginning, their purpose was clear: to look out for one another, fight for recognition, and ensure that no veteran would be left behind.

Sep. 29 was chosen as VFW Day to mark those beginnings. While not a federal holiday, it is observed each year through local proclamations and national recognition. It is a reminder of when returning service members transformed hardship into advocacy and created an institution that would endure for generations.  

The VFW’s history since then is one of impact and persistence. Its members were instrumental in helping secure the GI Bill after World War II, expanding healthcare access, and pressing for mental health resources for veterans of more recent wars. Just as importantly, VFW posts across the country continue to serve as places of belonging, offering mentorship, assistance, and the kind of understanding that only comes from shared experience. 

VFW Day matters because it ties the struggles of those who returned more than a century ago to the promises we must uphold today. It reminds us that service does not end with the battlefield and that the fight to care for veterans is carried forward in advocacy, community, and the everyday work of ensuring dignity for those who served.

Above all, it is a day about legacy. It honors the courage of those who fought abroad and the vision of those who came home determined to stand together. Their legacy lives on in the VFW and in every effort to make sure veterans receive the care, recognition, and respect they have earned.

WEBSITES AND RESOURCES

Across the country, local posts and communities mark the VFW day with events, proclamations, and gatherings. If you or your loved ones would like to take part or learn more, the resources below are a good place to start.

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – Official Site: The national VFW site offers information about the organization’s history, advocacy work, and current initiatives. It is also the best place to find a post near you. 

• Find a VFW Post – Post Locator Tool: Use this tool to search for your nearest VFW hall. Many posts hold ceremonies, open houses, or community service projects on September 29. 

• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA often collaborates with veteran service organizations and local posts on observances. Check your regional VA Medical Center or regional office pages for event announcements. 

• State Departments of Veterans Affairs: Each state veterans agency typically shares proclamations, event schedules, and opportunities to participate. A quick search for your state’s veterans affairs department will provide the most up-to-date information. 

• Local Governments & Community Calendars: City and county websites often post proclamations or flag ceremonies related to VFW Day. Checking your local government’s events page can point you toward observances close to home. 

• National Archives – Veterans’ Records: For those interested in learning more about the service records of family members who were part of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, or later conflicts, the National Archives provides access to historical documents and veteran records.