VFW provides numerous programs to military service member and their families.

The three main efforts of the VFW National Veterans and Military Support Services department are:

Military Assistance Program (MAP)

Operation Uplink

Unmet Needs.

MAP

MAP provides support for Post, District, and Department interaction with the local military community. MAP is the bridge between the VFW and Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve military units.

MAP offers grants to VFW Posts who participate in military unit functions such as sponsoring Farewell and Welcome Home activities and family readiness group events. MAP provided over $2,000,000 for projects since 2005.

Adopt-A-Unit is intended to forge a connection between VFW members and their local military community. By adopting a unit the Post can establish and sustain a long-term friendship with those serving stateside and abroad.

Memorial Commendations are available through the MAP office for a service member killed in action. The Memorial Commendation comes framed and matted in the colors of the service member’s branch of service and is intended to be presented to the service member’s family by a VFW representative.

More information on this program can be found at https://www.vfw.org/community/troop-support.

Operation Uplink

Operation Uplink has connected over 10,000,000 active duty military and hospitalized veterans with their family and friends since 1996. 

Both international and domestic cards are available and will provide 15 minutes of talk time.  All card requests should be made through the Department Chairman and must include the unit designation, head count and a POC. Since the program is funded solely by donations the cards are limited to 1 per deployed every 60 days. You can email adj@vfwva.org for information on how to get calling cards under this program.

Unmet Needs

Through Unmet Needs the VFW can provide grants to eligible service members and their families. Since the program began Unmet Needs has assisted several thousands of families facing a hardship due to deployment or military service with hundreds of thousands in grant funds. A new application is now available which when completed and returned to the office can speed up the process time.

Eligibility Criteria and the needed application can be found here: https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants

Navy Gold Star

For assistance contact Alicia McCoy, Navy Gold Star Coordinator of NC/Va, or www.navygoldstar.com