Veterans Affairs and Organizations
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs web site is a world wide resource that provides information on VA programs, veterans benefits, VA facilities worldwide, and VA medical automation software. These documents are easily accessible and richly linked from their table of contents, as well as searchable by keyword. Click on this link for the VA's on-line directory of Veterans Service Organizations.
Each of the two branches of the U.S. Congress has a committee dedicated to the issues of veterans of the armed services. Visit their web sites to find news and information about legislation plus contact information to ask questions or get help.
The US Office of Personnel Management, the Federal Government's Human Resources agency, has this page of information and links specially for Veterans.
The major non-government veterans organizations in the United States are:
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Jerry Newberry, Director of Communications for the VFW, hosts The National Defense, the only talk show dedicated to hot topics of interest to veterans.
- The American Legion
- AMVETS
- Disabled American Veterans
- Jewish War Veterans of the USA
- Catholic War Veterans
- American Ex-Prisoners Of War
Retired servicemen and women have these organizations:
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is the only Congressionally chartered veterans organization exclusively for combat wounded veterans.
The Legion of Valor is a chartered national veterans organization comprised of recipients of the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross.
The United Veterans Union seeks to ensure after service benefits to all members of the US Armed Forces who served and will serve our country.
The Arlington National Cemetery web site, devoted To America's Most Hallowed Ground And To The Heroes And Pathfinders Who Rest At Peace There.
The National Personnel Records Center can provide access to lost service records through this web site. Both military and civilian personnel records are maintained and can be accessed by filing the forms available here.
The project to honor the Veterans and the caregivers of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Forest Glen Annex, (WWII thru Vietnam) is collecting Oral Histories, Memoribilia, Photographs, and Recollections. If you or anyone you know can help, please visit their web site and contact the project committee.
See also the many unit associations and other historical information under Military History.
Organizations for Veterans of the US Military
The American Merchant Marine at War are working for the benefit of the many vets of the Merchant Marine.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is an unforgettable exhibit that pays tribute to the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Its visual centerpiece is a 4/5 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, standing 8 feet high at the apex and spanning 378 feet!
Asbestos: Many US veterans were exposed to the toxic hazards of asbestos in their daily military routines. Typical environments where asbestos was used are shipyards, construction sites, and places where the fiber was used for insulation purposes. These organizations offer services to veterans regarding the origin, dangers, symptoms and treatment of Mesothelioma, a disease related to asbestos exposure, and how vets can access special programs to get help:
- Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center
- Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center
- Mesothelioma Treatment & Resource Center
The Berlin Airlift Veterans Association hosts the worlds largest web site dedicated to everyone involved with the Worlds Greatest Humanitarian Mission. From that immortal day when the words rang out "General, The Air Force can Move Anything" we now celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Berlin airlift.
Chuck's Military Site remembers and supports veterans from all wars including today's headlines, but especially those KIA/MIA and living vets of Vietnam. A very personal and moving memorial and remembrance.
Disabled Veterans of Ohio is a veterans help program. 4 W. Main St., Suite
419, Springfield, Ohio 45502. 937-327-3838.
Gulf War Veterans Resource Pages provides support for individuals, activist groups, locator services, chat and other information or resources aimed at vets of the Persian Gulf war. The Gulf War Veterans Support Ring can be entered from our Ring page. By following the links from site to site, you have access to all of these sites related to the Gulf War.
Helmets to Hardhats is a company that is funded by the US Department of Defense to help transitioning military and veterans find careers in the building and constructions trades.
Hire Heroes USA is the link to employment opportunities nationwide for disabled veterans returning home. Hire Heros USA provides placement services to wounded vets with any level of disability as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Impact Player Partners is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, created to provide a simple mechanism for individuals and corporations to help provide emotional and financial support for our severely wounded or disabled War on Terror veterans and their families.
Kitchen Table Gang is an organization of veterans helping hospitalized veterans and troops overseas.
Korean War Veterans Association "Forgotten soldiers of a forgotten victory, forgotten no more!"
National Veterans Legal Services Program helps veterans who have problems resulting from their military service and require legal help to resolve the matter.
No Quarter is the Vietnam casualty search page. They maintain a database which is searchable by name, location, unit and many other ways.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America, a Congressionally chartered veterans service organization, was formed following World War II to serve veterans with spinal cord injury or disease.
The P.O.W. Network is dedicated to information distribution on our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action servicemen.
The Retired Military Advocate is in the thick of efforts to obtain full promised benefits to all veterans, particularly medical care. Conducts e-mail writing campaigns and other lobbying efforts.
Veterans News and Information Service is tailored to the needs of veterans regarding world news, legislation, military changes and benefits along with chat and more on-line services.
Vet Friends.com is a free membership service that helps you locate your friends who are on active duty, reserve, or a veteran of the U.S. military. Site has news, stories, a message board and other features for Vets. Register for free and encourage your friends to do the same.
Vietnam Veteran's organizations and support groups throughout the world
Vietnam Veterans Home Page. Resource site focused on the needs of veterans of the war in Vietnam.
Veterans Leadership Program of Western PA is a non-profit organization established in 1993 to assist veterans and their immediate family members in their job searching efforts. VLP is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and has been serving veterans and family members in western Pennsylvania since 1982.
The Women In Military Service For America Memorial is a unique, living memorial honoring all military women - past, present & future. Situated on 4.2 acres of land at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the Women's Memorial is the United States' first major national memorial honoring women who have served in the U.S. armed forces during all eras and in all services.
World War II U.S. Veterans Website. This site is dedicated to the millions of men and women from the United States who made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of free people everywhere. By and for vets, it's contents are continually updated.
Organizations for Veterans of Military Outside the United States
ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee (Queensland). On April 25 both countries are in solemn ceremonies of remembrance, gratitude and national pride for all Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers, men and women, who have fought and died in all wars.
Right Management - Career Transition Partnership offers no-cost services for the eligible Service Leaver, veterans of the UK military. This page of their web site lists Welfare and Ex-service Organizations for ex-Service personnel.
Royal British Legion is the nation's premier ex-service charity, dedicated to caring for men and women who have served in the armed forces - and their dependents.
Recommended Book
- Sacred Ground: A Tribute to America's Veterans by Tom Ruck, a beautiful book of photographs and history of American veterans' cemeteries.
